Two pre-qualify for elected office

The list of candidates running for office in Hernando County grew by two this week with the additions of Greg Sheldon and Jason Yungmann, running for county commissioner and supervisor of elections, respectively.

Sheldon is the third person who has filed paperwork to run for county commissioner representing District 3, currently represented by incumbent Republican John Druzbick.

Sheldon, 39, said if elected he would make job creation his top priority. He is running under a no-party affiliation (NPA).

Sheldon, a local building contractor, said he has management experience and is proficient in crafting budgets.

"Obviously, most people don't see the county going in the right direction and that is why so many people are filing (for elected office)," Sheldon said.

Also running for District 3 are Republican and political activist Jason Sager and Tanya Marsh, who advertises for local businesses while roller-skating. Marsh is also an NPA candidate.

A native of Pennsylvania, Sheldon has lived in Hernando County for more than 20 years.

In related news:

Republican Jason Yungmann has pre-qualified to run for the Supervisor of Elections post, which will become vacant this year upon the retirement of Annie Williams.

Yungmann, 37, teaches 8th-grade American history at Explorer K-8 School.

"For the past 15 years, it's been a blessing and honor being an educator in Hernando County," Yungmann said in a prepared statement. "I am now seeking a new challenge to serve the community.'

Teaching American history," he said, "gives me a great respect for the electoral process."

If elected, Yungmann said he would bring "a passion to the elections office, stressing the importance of the right of voting to our youth."

Also running for the post: Republican Kyro Morales, who worked in the elections office for six years; Democrat Elizabeth Townsend, director of operations for the office; Republican Mark Caskie, former code enforcement supervisor for Hernando County; and Republican Shirley Anderson, currently the district director for U.S. Congressman Richard Nugent.