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It seems like we don't have any representation, at all, if the governor can appoint our county commissioners. It seems like there should be a special election for us to pick a new commissioner. This system is ripe for corruption.

It seems like we don&#039;t have any representation, at all, if the governor can appoint our county commissioners. It seems like there should be a special election for us to pick a new commissioner. This system is ripe for corruption.

Matt J

SWGB

It's been rumored for sometimes that once he termed out at the state level he was going to run for BCC. I'm sure the guy who's already filed to run in district 3 is thrilled he wasn't considered.

It&#039;s been rumored for sometimes that once he termed out at the state level he was going to run for BCC. I&#039;m sure the guy who&#039;s already filed to run in district 3 is thrilled he wasn&#039;t considered.

bob bob

Beach Fanatic

Former Florida State House Representative Brad Drake now fills the vacant District 3 seat.

Florida Governor Ron Desantis appointed Drake to the chair in an announcement on Sept. 7.  

Drake, of Defuniak Springs, is the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation.  


He served as a representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2022.  

Drake earned his Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida. 

Drake told News 13 at the Sept. 11 ceremony he will focus on being available for residents to speak with openly.

“This morning I already met my first constituent. We had breakfast and they had a lot on their mind. So I want to make sure that everyone in the county, especially those who live in District 3, understands that they have someone now that they can count on. They can come to my office or they can call me and reach out and express their concerns or their ideas or their vision for the county, and they’ll have someone that’ll be responsive,” said Drake.

Drake said he will focus on infrastructure in the growing area.

“We have to continue to invest in infrastructure. We’re one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and in the United States so if we’re going to continue to be a part of that growth that naturally happens when people find out that you have the best place in the world that you can live in. There are growing pains that are associated with that so we want to make sure that we’re ready, that we can provide the infrastructure that people that want to come here and tap into water lines and those exist or be able to drive on roads that are sustainable,” said Drake.

The District 3 seat has been open since Mike Barker’s departure in Feb. 2023. The term will run out in Nov. of 2024.

Former Florida State House Representative Brad Drake now fills the vacant District 3 seat.<br />
<br />
Florida Governor Ron Desantis appointed Drake to the chair in an announcement on Sept. 7.  <br />
<br />
Drake, of Defuniak Springs, is the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation.  <br />
<br />
<br />
He served as a representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2022.  <br />
<br />
Drake earned his Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida. <br />
<br />
Drake told News 13 at the Sept. 11 ceremony he will focus on being available for residents to speak with openly.<br />
<br />
“This morning I already met my first constituent. We had breakfast and they had a lot on their mind. So I want to make sure that everyone in the county, especially those who live in District 3, understands that they have someone now that they can count on. They can come to my office or they can call me and reach out and express their concerns or their ideas or their vision for the county, and they’ll have someone that’ll be responsive,” said Drake.<br />
<br />
Drake said he will focus on infrastructure in the growing area.<br />
<br />
“We have to continue to invest in infrastructure. We’re one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and in the United States so if we’re going to continue to be a part of that growth that naturally happens when people find out that you have the best place in the world that you can live in. There are growing pains that are associated with that so we want to make sure that we’re ready, that we can provide the infrastructure that people that want to come here and tap into water lines and those exist or be able to drive on roads that are sustainable,” said Drake.<br />
<br />
The District 3 seat has been open since Mike Barker’s departure in Feb. 2023. The term will run out in Nov. of 2024.

He's already got opposition.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?op=cv&e=36&c=walton&ca=584&rellevel=4&committee=N[/URL]

He&#039;s already got opposition.<br />
<br />

	<div>
		<a href="https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?op=cv&amp;e=36&amp;c=walton&amp;ca=584&amp;rellevel=4&amp;committee=N"
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			Candidate Reports
		</a>
	</div>

PoppaJ

[QUOTE="Matt J, post: 961737, member: 4760"]
He's already got opposition.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?op=cv&e=36&c=walton&ca=584&rellevel=4&committee=N[/URL]
[/QUOTE]
Would like to hear him define Christian values.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Matt J">He&#039;s already got opposition.<br />
<br />

	<div>
		<a href="https://www.voterfocus.com/CampaignFinance/candidate_pr.php?op=cv&amp;e=36&amp;c=walton&amp;ca=584&amp;rellevel=4&amp;committee=N"
			class="link link--external"
			target="_blank"
			rel="nofollow ugc noopener"
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			Candidate Reports
		</a>
	</div>
</blockquote>Would like to hear him define Christian values.

justhavinfun

Anyone have any insight here?

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.wjhg.com/2023/09/07/brad-drake-appointed-walton-county-commissioners/[/URL]


Governor DeSantis has appointed a new member to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.

Brad Drake is a former Representative in the Florida House of Representatives and the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Drake earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida.

Anyone have any insight here?<br />
<br />

	

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						Brad Drake appointed to Walton County Commissioners
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				<div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">Governor DeSantis has appointed a new member to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.</div>

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<br />
<br />
Governor DeSantis has appointed a new member to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.<br />
<br />
Brad Drake is a former Representative in the Florida House of Representatives and the Director of Rural and Community Affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation.<br />
<br />
Drake earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida.

New Walton County Commissioner appointed by Desantis - Brad Drake

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New Walton County Commissioner appointed by Desantis - Brad Drake

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Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

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