Letter: Hankerson not running for state legislature

Derek Boyd Hankerson
St Augustine, FL

Dear Editor:

After consulting with my family I have decided not to run for either the state house or senate. I have an aging mother; and, my wife, family, and I hanker to continue traveling and seeing the world as we have done.

During my career in public service which began at age 18, I’ve had the pleasure of serving in four Presidential appointments, for three Republican Presidential administrations, worked directly for three Presidents and two Vice Presidents; dating back to President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Herbert Walker Bush — and all while both of my parents were still alive.

I have worked in the White House Office of Vice-Presidential Advance, Office of Presidential Advance and Office of Public Liaison and in a number of federal departments for two members of Congress as well as St. Johns County Government; all before I was 37-years-old.

Money cannot buy that success, as it does elections. You have to earn it. I’m not spending $300,000 plus for a $30,000 a year job. I don’t care what others are doing or spending.

Over the course of the last 13 years living in St. Johns County, my family’s native home, we’ve moved mountains compared to any congressional member, representative, or state senator as it relates to travel and tourism; and, travel and tourism is Florida’s number one industry.

Some of my projects included a $20 million National Park Service project, hosting and sponsoring the NPS Underground Railroad Conference, and the production of a number of films that won domestic and international awards. Looking ahead, my focus is on publishing, culture, heritage and travel, tourism and film productions. I am participating in five events in 2015 that will be part of the commemoration of St Augustine’s 450th anniversary.

My plate is full. I am not that “hard up” to serve as an elected official to waste $300,000-$500,000 to buy a seat. I have served at the highest level of government, been extremely successfully and have other more important focuses today at 50 years of age.

I want to thank everyone for their support in my campaign; however, seeing to my mother aging gracefully, world travel, and my business interests are more important than a seat at a table passing a few bills and spending hard earned family money. Politics has gotten nasty — that’s not my family or my nature.