Editor's Note: All candidates in this race were invited to respond to each prompt in 175 words or less. The responses in this candidate forum are presented exactly as submitted by each candidate. Minor edits may have been made for grammar, spelling, punctuation or formatting, but the intent of each response has not been altered.

Leroy Edwards (D):

Please tell our readers about yourself.

[Editor's Note: This candidate's biography has been edited for length to meet the requested 175-word limit.]

My journey began in Jamaica. Growing up there taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life. In the mid-1980s, I came to the United States and settled in Miami. Coming to America was a new beginning. Like so many immigrants, I arrived with hope, determination, and a willingness to work for a better future. As a young man, I had the opportunity to serve my country as a law enforcement officer for approximately four years. I attended Miami Technical Institute and studied banking. In 1988, an especially important chapter of my life began when I married my wife, Althea Edwards. Building a life together has been one of the greatest blessings of my journey. I built a career with UPS and became a supervisor. I ran for office [District 2 County Commissioner] in 2022. I didn’t win, but I don’t consider that experience a defeat. It gave me something more valuable: the opportunity to meet even more people, listen to their concerns, and better understand the responsibility that comes with public service.

As you compete for District 2 for the Clay County Board of Commissioners, what do you believe is the most-pressing issue facing the county, particularly the Oakleaf area?

I believe the most pressing issue facing Clay County, and especially the Oakleaf area, is managing growth while making sure our infrastructure keeps pace with that growth.

What change(s) would you champion as a new member of the Board of County Commissioners?

If elected to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, I would focus on making county government more responsive, transparent, and forward-looking. My goal would not be to change things simply for the sake of change. I would focus on changes that improve the everyday quality of life for the people of District 2 and communities throughout Clay County.

I’ve lived here since 2006, and what has made Clay County feel like home to me is the strong sense of community. People care about their neighbors. Families put down roots here, children grow up here, businesses serve the community, and residents take pride in where they live.

What’s the best thing about Clay County?

Clay County has many wonderful qualities—our parks and natural spaces, our growing communities, our schools, our local businesses, and our family-friendly way of life. But those things are made special by the people who call this county home.

For me personally, Clay County represents opportunity and family. This is where my wife, Althea, and I built our life and raised our family. It is where we made friendships, became part of the community, and developed a deeper appreciation for what it means to call a place home.

Lolita Mancheno-Smoak (R):

Please tell our readers about yourself.

Born in Ecuador and raised in Manhattan, I earned an engineering scholarship to Columbia University and later earned a master’s in Engineering and a doctorate in Business Administration. My career spans engineering, corporate leadership, and federal executive service, with a focus on efficiency and fiscal accountability. My lifelong commitment to community service includes the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and children’s advocacy organizations. I am running to bring that experience and dedication to the Clay County Commission.

 As you compete for District 2 for the Clay County Board of Commissioners, what do you believe is the most-pressing issue facing the county, particularly the Oakleaf area?

Managing rapid growth while maintaining affordability is our greatest challenge. Families are struggling with rising costs, and government must keep taxes low, spend responsibly, and prioritize essential services. We must ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development, particularly roads, law enforcement, and fire rescue, while protecting the quality of life that makes Oakleaf special.

What change(s) would you champion as a new member of the Board of County Commissioners?

I will bring a business-minded approach to county government by identifying inefficiencies, eliminating wasteful spending, and demanding accountability for every taxpayer dollar. I will also prioritize transparency and citizen engagement, ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in zoning, development, and infrastructure decisions before they are made.

What’s the best thing about Clay County?

Clay County’s greatest strength is its quality of life, rooted in faith, family, public safety, great schools, and low taxes. Those values are why I chose Oakleaf as my forever home. I will work to preserve them while ensuring Clay County remains a place where future generations can thrive.