One candidate was disqualified from the ballot, another didn’t show up and a third was uninvited to the Federated Republican Women of Nassau (FRWN) candidate forum on Friday, June 14.
In an opening statement of the event held at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2800 Bill Melton Road, past president of FRWN Sarah Pelican told the event attendees that, because a conflict with an unnamed person, referred to as Mr. X, Yvon (Roody) Joinville would not be attending the candidate forum because he is not a registered Republican and was uninvited.
Joinville served as Yulee High School’s assistant principal and principal for nine years, being surprised by the non-renewal of a contract as principal in 2022. He is running against incumbent Gail Cook for School Board Member, District 2. District school board members have been elected in nonpartisan elections since 2000.
During the introduction of candidates, Kristina Flick, president of FRWN, welcomed County Commissioner, District 1, John Martin, District 3, Jeff Gray and Lynn Newcomer, District 5, Klynt Farmer and John Ladson, School Board member District 2, Gail Cook and District 4, Cynthia Grooms and Kristi Simpkins.
John Ladson, running against incumbent Farmer for county commissioner, District 5, was listed in program announcements, but didn’t show up to participate.
Martin, incumbent for county commissioner, District 1, began the introductions by announcing he no longer had a running mate.
“Casey Jones was my running mate, but he didn’t qualify because he doesn’t live in Nassau County,” informed Martin.
Jones, founder of Florida Sea Turtle Watch (which is separate from the FWC permitted group Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, Inc.) and self-described “Trump-guy of turtles who’s not afraid to get (his) flip flops dirty,” registered to run against Martin after a disagreement with Martin at a board of county commissioners meeting over a sea turtle lighting ordinance.
While he had the microphone, Martin admitted he was the elusive Mr. X mentioned in the opening statement at the beginning of the event.
“As an elected official, all of my correspondence is open to public records requests. So, when I text or email or leave a voice message for anyone, I know what I’m doing,” said Martin. “I know that they could be used against me or anything like that. That’s what just happened today. Mr. X is me. I questioned the president about why we had a non-Republican coming here.”
“I think she made the right decision because our job is to elect Republicans. That’s what our job is today,” said Martin.
Gray (Rep), incumbent for county commissioner, District 3, introduced himself and highlighted his personal life, including his long marriage and two adult children. He emphasized his commitment to community service and volunteering, citing involvement in various organizations. Gray praised Nassau County, emphasizing conservative values in governance and achievements during his tenure. He discussed significant projects like a pavement preservation plan and a $30 million land acquisition program. Gray celebrated the development of three new parks and a new animal shelter. He concluded by expressing pride in his accomplishments as commissioner, including property tax reductions over consecutive years.
Newcomer (Rep), opponent for county commissioner, District 3, has a background in business operations and military service. She emphasized her non-political background and focused on managing growth in Nassau County while preserving its natural resources and quality of life. Newcomer and her family fell in love with Nassau County’s rural charm after moving frequently because of military service. She advocates for sustainable development practices, conservation ordinances and community engagement to ensure the county’s unique characteristics are preserved for future generations. Newcomer’s campaign centers on maintaining a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation, guided by her commitment to community and strategic business principles.
Farmer (Rep), incumbent for county commissioner, District 5, shared his pride in Flag Day and emphasizes its significance. He highlighted his deep roots in Nassau County. Elected in 2020, Farmer has focused on enhancing government efficiency, lowering taxes and improving services through technology and talent acquisition. His achievements include implementing a $3.9 million annual asphalt management plan, creating a land conservation program and advocating for infrastructure improvements. Farmer seeks reelection to continue his work and asked for continued support from the community.
Cook (Non), incumbent for school board member, District 2, expressed pride in the county’s A-plus school system and its achievements. She emphasized the opportunities provided by public schools for students to shape their futures and excel academically. Cook defends the school system’s performance against criticism, highlighting the hard work of students and staff reflected in state testing results. She acknowledges the challenges, including excessive testing for younger students, and advocates for continuous improvement based on data analysis.
Cook values community involvement and supports parental choice in education while advocating for the excellence of public schools. She underscores her commitment to attending school events, recognizing the efforts of faculty and staff and staying informed about educational issues. Cook aims to leverage her experience and dedication to address challenges posed by county growth and contribute effectively to the school board’s efforts.
Grooms (Non), incumbent for school board member, District 4, highlighted her extensive background in education and administration. She moved to Nassau County in 1977 and has served in various roles within the school system for more than 26 years, including teaching special education and holding administrative positions. Grooms emphasized her commitment to improving education quality and addressing challenges such as teacher retention and mental health issues exacerbated by COVID-19. She advocates for safety enhancements and strategic planning to accommodate the district's rapid growth. Grooms’ focus remains on prioritizing student well-being and educational excellence.
Simpkins (Non), opponent for school board member, District 4, grew up in Hilliard and began her career in education at Calvary Elementary School before moving to Hilliard Elementary. Her passion for improving education led to significant achievements, including raising a school’s performance from a C to an A grade. After retiring from a 30-year career, she continued her impact through speaking engagements and received endorsements highlighting her dedication and leadership qualities. She emphasizes student needs and collaboration among stakeholders, reflecting her belief in fostering a supportive educational environment. Simpkins remains committed to enhancing school safety, educational standards, staff morale and fiscal responsibility for the betterment of students and the community.
The News-Leader sat with FRWN president Kristina Flick after the event to ask about her reason for uninviting Joinville to the candidate forum.
“As we always do, as Federated Republican Women of Nassau, we invite the candidat
es. The school board members run as non-partisan, so we invited all of the school board members,” began Flick.
“I was contacted by Mr. Martin in a string of text messages on Wednesday, June 5, expressing his concern as to why I had invited a non-Republican candidate to participate,” continued Flick. “As state committeeman for the Republican Executive Committee, he (Martin) felt compelled to express his disappointment in my decision, and that he hoped I would reconsider.”
Flick recounted being threatened by Martin within the string of text messages with a report to the Florida Federated Republican Women’s organization.
“So, I just simply responded back that I'm assuming he's speaking of Mr. Joinville and he said yes, and I said I understand that the school board members run non-partisan, and he said it doesn't matter. He's not a registered Republican,” said Flick about the text message. “Then he (Martin) went on to say that the Republican Party of Florida is focused on school board races to elect real Republicans in a non-partisan race.”
Flick expressed, “I notified Mr. Joinville that he wouldn’t be able to appear, which was devastating for me.”
Flick expressed her uncertainty and concern about Martin’s potential impact on the reputation of the FRWN organization. As the newly elected president, she was still learning about the extent of Martin’s influence. She emphasized the importance of protecting and upholding the organization’s reputation, highlighting her commitment to ensuring its integrity and positive standing in the community.
However, when asked for comment, Martin told the News-Leader, “I think the text message thread clearly states my position on this issue.”
“I will add that nothing in my text correspondence with her was disrespectful or out of order. I simply gave her my opinion, informed her of the potential consequences of her decision, and the likely actions that would be taken,” said Martin.
Flick said Martin has threatened to resign from FRWN and stated he and his wife won’t renew their membership. In a recent membership report, neither Martin nor his wife has paid their FRWN association dues for 2024, thus they are currently non-members.
Nassau County’s 2024 election race is officially set as the final list of candidates has been qualified and confirmed. Meet your 2024 election candidates at www.fbnewsleader.com and www.votenassaufl.gov.
tdishman@fbnewsleader.com