A fourth candidate has entered the race for Walton County Commissioner District 4. Frederick Carley qualified on Wednesday as a write-in candidate for the position.
Carley will compete in November for the position of Walton County Commissioner against whoever wins the Republican primary for County Commissioner on August 18.
Carley’s candidacy closes the primary, barring Walton County residents who are not registered with the REpublican Party from voting. When only candidates from a single party are on the ballot ahead of an election, Florida law opens the primary up to all registered voters who would be able to vote in the general election. By getting on the ballot, Carley has stopped those not registered as Republicans from voting in the three-way contest on August 18 between incumbent Donna Johns, former Destin City Councilman Jim Bagby, and former Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins.
Who is Frederick Carley?
Frederick Carley is a member of the Republican Party and has been registered to vote in Niceville since 1993. He hasn’t voted in a primary election since at least 2010 but has consistently voted as a Republican in three-quarters of general elections since he’s been registered.
Carley is also affiliated with a nonprofit, National Scholastic Institute, Inc., an educational charity. The charity currently has no assets. We’ve reached out to the candidate via phone and email and will update this information as we’re able.
Other Candidate’s Response
Jim Bagby did not mince words and pointed out the new candidates’ last-minute entry into the contest was a plant by fellow candidate James Calkins.
Donna Johns and James Calkins have not posted on social media or released statements on the new candidate’s appearance.
