Rachael Bennett will not seek second term on commission

Historic City News was informed by St Johns County Commissioner Rachael Bennett that she will not seek a second 4-year term for the District 5 seat. She has withdrawn her previous filing with the Supervisor of Elections, Vicky Oakes.

Bennett spoke to Historic City News editor Michael Gold last week explaining the personal nature of her decision. She informed us that she will miss the engagement with so many St Johns County residents, and believes that she has contributed her talents to the benefit of the people she has been proud to serve.

“It was a difficult decision for me, and one that is very recent,” the commissioner said. She only described her reasons as personal, saying that she decided, “to reprioritize in light of family, health and future.”

Bennett was an early declarant, accepting her first reported re-election campaign contribution on November 12, 2015. Since that time, she has raised $31,120.00 in donations and reported expenditures of $7,179.14. She did not comment on how she will dispose of the remainder of her campaign funds. State law dictates a candidates options.

Commissioner Bennett did say that she has no intention of resigning the remainder of her term in office, clarifying that she simply won’t seek another term.

Rachael is a self-employed consultant who lives on Anastasia Island with her two dogs. She is an avid reader, a beekeeper, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She spends most of her free time working in and enjoying her garden. She says that it provides fresh fruit, herbs, vegetables and flowers for her table year ’round.