Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil will Seek Re-Election
On March 25th, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil announced his decision to seek re-election. “I’m excited to announce my re-election campaign for Sheriff. It has been my honor & privilege to serve Leon County,” McNeil posted on social media.
McNeil was elected Sheriff of Leon County in November 2016 and won re-election in 2020 when he won nearly three-quarters of the vote against opponent Tommy Mills.
During his time in office McNeil has focused on gun violence. In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office released its “Anatomy of a Homicide” report which analyzed data from shootings in an effort to address the causes of gun violence more effectively. He also advocated for the creation of the Council on the Status of Men and Boys which focused on helping Black youth at risk of gun violence.
Daryl Parks to Challenge Sen. Corey Simon
Tallahassee civil-rights attorney Daryl Parks said Tuesday he will try to unseat state Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, in the November election. Parks, a Democrat, announced his candidacy in Senate District 3, a massive North Florida district that includes 13 counties stretching from Gulf County to Hamilton and Dixie counties. Simon, a former Florida State University and NFL football player, captured the seat by knocking off former Sen. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, in 2022.
In a statement Tuesday, Parks criticized Republicans on a series of issues, including abortion rights. “Today, families across North Florida are under attack by the special interests, extremists and political elite who rule in Tallahassee,” Parks said in the statement. “They’re more focused on banning abortion rights for women than they are on lowering costs and giving every family a chance to get ahead.”
Pons to Run for Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools
As quickly as rumors of a possible Pons and Hanna rematch got started, they were laid to rest as former Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons recently filed to run for superintendent of Jefferson County Schools.
Pons told the Tallahassee Democrat, “I’m excited and I’m just so proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the last three years at the school….We received so much community support, and I am very proud of the team we’ve put together, and the reason I’m running is to keep that team together to make sure we improve the school system.”
Pons was hired as principal at the Jefferson County K-12 school in 2022 after a five-year contract with a charter school management ended with discouraging results. Under Pons leadership, the school grade improved to a C after years of Ds and Fs.
Pons career ended Leon County after corruption allegations were lodged by his 20616 opponent Rocky Hanna. Hanna went on to win the race for Leon County Superintendent. However, in 2018, the FBI said no charges would be filed and, in a rare move, issued a letter clearing Pons of any wrong doing.
Local Political Briefs: McNeil to Run, Corey Simon Challenged, Pons Back on Ballot added by Staff on
View all posts by Staff →
We need a no nonsense hard arsed Sheriff. I’m afraid our current Sheriff doesn’t have the requisite sensibilities to effect the mean streets of Leon County in the way they need to be affected. The serious criminals in our community are beyond father figures and mentors and they seem to be running rampant.
I watched a maniac drive right past two LCSD Suburbans (parked right where they always are on Capital Circle SE) doing at least 90 miles an hour and neither one of them flinched. They must have been on brake…
The last thing we need is for Walt McNeil to get re-elected. He has done Nothing about the rampant crime in Leon county. Shootings are at an all time high. Homeless camps are taking over the county, and the morale among his staff is the lowest it has ever been. It is time for a change!!!