District 4 commissioner Blake Iverson, appointed to the commission in February, is seeking election to a full term, and faces one opponent in the Republican primary, CJ Thompson. As no other candidates qualified for this race, the August election will be a Universal Primary Contest and will appear on the ballots of all voters in the county.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES |
Blake Iverson
Occupation: Owner of Hometown Electrical
Age: 42
Family: I am married to Christi, and we have three children.
Education: State Registered Electrical Contractor
Master Electrician
Certified Thermographer
Graduate of the Jacksonville Electrical Apprenticeship Program
Baker County High School Graduate
Political experience: Current County Commissioner for District 4
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Several topics have emerged as key areas of discussion during this election. These include government accountability, transparency in government operations, and the efficiency of county services.
I believe public service begins with listening. It means treating people with kindness, even when we disagree. It means studying the issues, asking questions, praying for wisdom, and making decisions based on what is best for the whole county.
It also means being present. You deserve a commissioner who will answer the phone, return your call, listen to your concerns, and stay with a problem until the work is done.
You also deserve a county government that is open and accountable to the people it serves. I will be honest about where I stand, explain the reasons behind my decisions, and make sure you know how and why your county government is acting on your behalf. Transparency builds trust, and I will always work to earn and keep that trust.
That is the kind of commissioner I have worked to be, and it is the kind of commissioner I will continue to be.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I bring something that cannot be measured by titles alone. I bring real-world, practical experience.
I have spent my career building a local business, managing employees and budgets, meeting payroll, serving customers, and making difficult decisions with real consequences. I know what it means to be responsible for the well-being of other families. I know that when a problem arises, you cannot simply talk about it, you have to find a solution.
That experience has taught me to plan ahead, use common sense, take responsibility, and follow through on what I say I will do.
Those are the same lessons I bring to the Board of County Commissioners.
Baker County is growing, and growth will bring both opportunities and challenges. We cannot wait until those challenges are here before we begin preparing for them. We must be thoughtful and intentional now.
I will work to prepare for growth while protecting our land, our natural resources, our taxpayers, and the hometown values that make Baker County a special place to call home.
I will approach each decision with an open mind. I will listen before I speak. I will study the facts before I vote. I will never claim to have every answer, but I will always be willing to do the work necessary to find the best answer.
My goal is not to build a political career or add another title to my name. My goal is to serve.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
As a county commissioner, I want our children to have opportunities here. I want our local businesses to succeed. I want our families to feel heard, and I want the people of Baker County to know their county government is working for them.
I will bring determination to the job. I will bring common sense. I will bring practical experience.
Most importantly, I want to be remembered as someone who has a servant’s heart and a sincere love for the people and the place I call home.
Campaign website: N/A
Campaign social media: Facebook
CJ Thompson
Occupation: Chief Operating Officer, Majority Strategies
Age: 44
Family: My wife, Jessica, and I live in Glen St. Mary with our two daughters, Kendall and Reagan.
Education: Baker County High School graduate.
Florida State University, Bachelor of Science in Finance.
Florida State University, Master of Business Administration.
Political experience: My background is in local government and public-sector leadership. I previously served as Chair of the Baker County Land Planning Agency, where I gained direct experience with land use, zoning, development, and growth-management issues before they reached the County Commission. I was later appointed County Manager for Baker County, where I managed county departments, public services, contracts, and long-term planning while working directly with commissioners, staff, and the public to deliver results.
I also served as Director of Intragovernmental Services for the City of Jacksonville, overseeing major public operations including information technology, procurement, fleet management, and 630-CITY.
That experience gives me a practical understanding of how local government works and how decisions made by elected officials affect residents, services, and taxpayers.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The top three issues are accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent, roads and infrastructure, and responsible growth management.
First, county government must be transparent and accountable with public dollars. When millions in fund balances go untracked for years, that is not just an accounting problem. It is a failure of oversight. Taxpayers deserve to know how decisions are made, how money is spent, and whether they are getting value for their tax dollars. I will bring the experience and discipline needed to help restore that standard.
Second, Baker County residents have spoken clearly: roads need attention, and county government needs to respond with a real plan and real results. Roads, drainage, and infrastructure are basic services people depend on every day. That means disciplined budgeting, a transparent project list, and a long-term commitment to actually follow through.
Third, growth must be managed responsibly. Baker County can grow without losing the rural character that makes this community home, but that requires planning ahead rather than reacting to growth after it arrives. We need a strategic growth plan that aligns future development with infrastructure capacity, transportation needs, and long-term community goals. Growth should be directed to areas where roads, utilities, and public services can support it, while protecting agricultural and rural areas that define Baker County’s character. New development should pay its fair share and not create additional burdens for existing taxpayers.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My background in local government gives me a practical understanding of what county commissioners actually do, and what they do not do. Commissioners set policy, approve budgets, establish priorities, and provide oversight. They do not run the county’s day-to-day operations. Understanding that distinction matters because effective leadership requires both accountability and respect for the proper role of the office.
County commissioners make decisions that affect roads, infrastructure, growth, public safety, county employees, and taxpayer dollars. My experience gives me a practical understanding of how those decisions move from an agenda item to actual results for the people of Baker County.
I believe voters deserve a commissioner who understands the role, respects its limits, and knows how to turn priorities into results.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would hope Baker County residents feel their county government worked better for them, communicated more clearly with them, and was more accountable to them. That means making meaningful progress on roads and infrastructure, strengthening accountability in county government, and putting a strategic growth plan in place so growth is managed responsibly rather than reactively.
I would also hope people remember that I listened, treated people fairly, respected the role of the office, and made decisions based on what I believed was best for Baker County.
Campaign website: cjthompson.com
Campaign social media: Facebook