Drew Wilson
A third Republican has filed to run for the District 4 House seat being vacated by Fort Walton Beach Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is eyeing his father’s Senate seat in the 2016 cycle.
Destin Mayor Mel Ponder said Monday he’s running for the seat, hitting small government and conservative values that play well in the Panhandle districts.
“It is with great humility and a strong sense of service that I ask the voters of Okaloosa County to allow me the privilege and honor to serve as their next state Representative,” Ponder said in news release. “As a strong conservative, I will champion our shared ideals of limited government, lower taxes, economic opportunity for all and supporting traditional family values so that we can continue to build a strong community and see Okaloosa County thrive.”
Ponder joins Armand Izzo and Wayne Harris in the race, though neither candidate has much of a head start. Izzo filed for the seat on July 23 and has yet to post any campaign finance numbers, while initial numbers for Harris, an Okaloosa County commissioner, showed $7,550 in contributions for June.
Before becoming Destin mayor in 2014, Ponder worked as the director of regional marketing programs for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. The trade group has already cut checks to many Republican candidates and political committees in the 2016 cycle, so the connection could help catapult Ponder in front of Izzo and Harris during his first month on the trail. Ponder’s first campaign finance report is due Sept. 10.
