FORT WALTON BEACH — Voters on Tuesday returned incumbent Wayne Harris to his District 1 seat on the Okaloosa County Commission.
Harris, a Republican, won 62,430 votes, or 72 percent, to challenger Ron Connor’s 24,108, or 28 percent, according to unofficial election results.
“I’m very thankful to the voters,” Harris said. “I appreciate that they have confidence in me.”
Harris, the executive director of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, was first elected to the board in 2008. Connor, a Democrat, lost to Harris that year.
In his second term, Harris said he plans to concentrate on maintaining infrastructure, public safety and security.
“My focus has never changed,” he said. “In my opinion that’s what government is supposed to provide — those things that citizens can’t provide for themselves.”
Harris said his top priority is to build the new access road to Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview. Also on his list is paving Okaloosa Lane and several other dirt roads in the north county.
Harris said he is not “necessarily” focused on quality-of-life issues because the county doesn’t have the money to funnel to those areas.
“It’s hard to go out to eat when you can’t pay the rent,” he added.
UNOFFICIAL VOTE TOTALS
County Commissioner District 1
Harris — 62,430
Connor — 24,108
Baker Fire Commissioner Group 2
Brewer — 786
Cosson — 681
Destin Fire Commissioner Group 2
Moore — 4,820
Scoper — 2,849
East Niceville Fire Commissioner Group 5
Brunson — 1,572
Martin — 757
North Okaloosa Fire Commissioner Group 1
McGirr — 5,117
Rathbun — 4,496
Skarzynski — 3,625
Sauls — 3,061
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: Harris keeps Okaloosa commission seat with 72 percent of votes