Former State Rep seeks his first county office
There were rumors, but many doubted the validity. Yet at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, former Monroe County State Representative Ron Saunders officially threw his hat in the ring for the position of Monroe County Clerk of Court.
The move will most certainly make the Clerk of Court election one of Monroe County’s most enticing conversation pieces throughout election season. Not only is Saunders returning to politics, he is doing so in a potential matchup between the current incumbent, Amy Heavilin. Saunders is employed by the Clerk’s office as general counsel, but shortly after filing, offered his letter of resignation. Policy dictates that Saunders must serve out 20 working days, or four weeks, before stepping down—meaning his last day will be June 17.
For me, I’m not going into this as if I’m running against someone,” said Saunders. “Instead, I’m running for the position. I think I can add some leadership and knowledge to the position and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve.”
Heavilin, a Republican, is already facing heavy opposition from Kevin Madok, who currently serves at senior director of planning for Monroe County. Heavilin and Madok are set for a showdown in August’s Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Ron Saunders.
Saunders served as Monroe County’s State Representative in Tallahassee from 1986-1994 and again from 2006-2012.
Prior to the 2012 election, Madok served as assistant finance director in the Clerk’s office from 2004-2012. Heavilin is completing her first term in office having previously worked as Finance Director for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
