Tony Anderson, a father and soon-to-be-grandfather who grew up in Walton County and raised his family here, announced today that he is running for Walton County Commissioner, representing District 5. He filed election pre-qualification paperwork with the Walton County Supervisor of Elections office Thursday morning.
District 5 encompasses most of South Walton County; the seat is currently held by incumbent Cindy Meadows.
In announcing his campaign, Anderson said that his campaign will focus on four core goals: improving the local economy, enhancing Walton County's quality of life by improving infrastructure, restoring the public's faith in government through more transparency and greater communication with residents, and protecting Walton County's unique, conservative values.
"Throughout the country, we have seen examples of how big government and big bureaucracies can crush the potential of hardworking people," Anderson said. "Walton County needs to make sure that -- even as we grow in population and popularity -- we remember the basic principles of limited government and individual freedom that have made our county, and our country, so exceptional.
"As a conservative, I will always fight to keep taxes low and to create a healthy environment for job creation. But I will also work to make sure taxpayers get a better return on their investment of tax dollars for infrastructure projects, which will be crucial to managing growth in the years and decades to come."
Anderson said that in addition to a conservative governing framework, as commissioner, he would work to bring residents together to solve problems in a more collaborative, productive way.
"South Walton needs a commissioner who fights for everyone, including the many hardworking people who don't have time to attend and speak at every commission meeting," Anderson said, "We also need a commissioner who works to bring people together, even when finding common ground is difficult. We simply cannot continue to fuel the negative, corrosive political atmosphere in Walton County that has divided neighbors and pitted communities against each other. That is not the Walton County way, and it sets a bad example for our kids and grandkids. We must be positive, inclusive, and forward-thinking."
A resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Anderson worked for more than 30 years as a rural letter carrier for the US Postal Service. After his retirement, he built a successful small, 45-person business in South Walton, which he sold in 2009. He has been actively involved in civic causes, as a volunteer and board member, for the past three decades.
Anderson will announce additional policy proposals and campaign details over the next several weeks and months.
First News Now will have an in-depth, one-on-one interview with Mr. Anderson next week on First News Now.
The Republican primary for this position will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.
District 5 encompasses most of South Walton County; the seat is currently held by incumbent Cindy Meadows.
In announcing his campaign, Anderson said that his campaign will focus on four core goals: improving the local economy, enhancing Walton County's quality of life by improving infrastructure, restoring the public's faith in government through more transparency and greater communication with residents, and protecting Walton County's unique, conservative values.
"Throughout the country, we have seen examples of how big government and big bureaucracies can crush the potential of hardworking people," Anderson said. "Walton County needs to make sure that -- even as we grow in population and popularity -- we remember the basic principles of limited government and individual freedom that have made our county, and our country, so exceptional.
"As a conservative, I will always fight to keep taxes low and to create a healthy environment for job creation. But I will also work to make sure taxpayers get a better return on their investment of tax dollars for infrastructure projects, which will be crucial to managing growth in the years and decades to come."
Anderson said that in addition to a conservative governing framework, as commissioner, he would work to bring residents together to solve problems in a more collaborative, productive way.
"South Walton needs a commissioner who fights for everyone, including the many hardworking people who don't have time to attend and speak at every commission meeting," Anderson said, "We also need a commissioner who works to bring people together, even when finding common ground is difficult. We simply cannot continue to fuel the negative, corrosive political atmosphere in Walton County that has divided neighbors and pitted communities against each other. That is not the Walton County way, and it sets a bad example for our kids and grandkids. We must be positive, inclusive, and forward-thinking."
A resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Anderson worked for more than 30 years as a rural letter carrier for the US Postal Service. After his retirement, he built a successful small, 45-person business in South Walton, which he sold in 2009. He has been actively involved in civic causes, as a volunteer and board member, for the past three decades.
Anderson will announce additional policy proposals and campaign details over the next several weeks and months.
First News Now will have an in-depth, one-on-one interview with Mr. Anderson next week on First News Now.
The Republican primary for this position will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.
