SHALIMAR — Incumbent Wayne Harris will face challenger Ron Connor on Nov. 6 in the race for the District 1 seat on the Okaloosa County Commission.
Harris, a Republican, was elected in 2008. Connor, a Democrat, lost to Harris that year.
Harris, executive director of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, said he wants more time on the board to reach some of his goals.
"There are some things I wanted to do, but I haven’t completed them yet, and I want to see them through," he said.
Among his top priorities are paving Okaloosa Lane and more of the dirt roads in the north county.
"I’ve got one ultimate goal, and that’s to get the road into Bob Sikes Airport to open that whole industrial park," Harris said. "I want to see that done in the next four years."
Connor, a former Navy commander, said he’s running for the seat because he hasn’t been pleased with Harris’ performance.
Connor said he is most concerned about what he calls the county’s high-paid "czars" supervising various departments such as the airport and library.
"It’s just a layer of bureaucracy that’s not needed," he said.
Connor also has spending and safety concerns about Bob Sikes Airport. The industrial park has too many buildings located too close to taxiways and runways, he said.
He said he also is concerned about the September arrest of former County Commissioner James Campbell on perjury and official misconduct charges.
"That was money laundering, plain and simple," Connor said. "I think they’re kind of washing over it."
Harris, who spent 27 years in the Air Force, said he’s had many questions from residents who are upset about the most recent financial scandal to rock the tourism development department. He said the county needs strong leaders in the coming months to navigate the aftermath.
"I think I am one of those strong leaders," Harris said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Connor challenges Harris for Okaloosa commission seat