WC Clerk of Circuit Court Race

**caikco** · 08-04-2012, 06:10 PM

It's not the juiciest race this year, but does anyone know much about the Clerk race?

The candidates are "Alex" Alford, Gwyn Thomas, and Sue A. Thorn.

I do know that Sue Thorn's Web site streams the WZEP candidate forum, has video of another forum, and the clip aired on the local news last week--each with all three candidates. (That's at www.thornforclerk.com/-press-media.html)

There's not an incumbent in this one

.

**ThornForClerkVolunteer** · 08-06-2012, 11:41 AM

Since you posted a link to one of the pages on Sue A. Thorn's Web site, you may have already learned all of this about her; nevertheless, here is a summary about her basis for being the next Clerk of Circuit Court. I hope this helps, and if you have any questions for her, you can contact her directly via her Web site. I'm sure she'd be glad to answer.

Professionally:
Sue Thorn recently retired from Walton County’s State Attorney’s Office after 36 years, where she was the Office Administrator. Her 36 years of court experience with that office included the duties of managing the staff of the State Attorney’s office, administering budgets, maintaining efficiency and effectiveness within the office, going through hiring and firing processes, working closely with the Clerk of Court’s office on a nearly every day, working with the judiciary, keeping up with technology, and record keeping.

In terms of math, Mrs. Thorn has more than twice the court experience (36 years) than the other candidates combined (15+2=17).

Personally:

Sue Thorn is a lifelong resident of Walton County. She is a professing Christian and an active member of First Baptist DeFuniak. She and her husband have been married for 40+ years, and her daughter is an attorney in Okaloosa County.

Sue’s Web site does go into greater detail than this summary, and if you have any further questions for her, there is a contact page that will send your message directly to her email inbox.

Web site: www.ThornForClerk.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThornForClerk

**j p nettles** · 08-11-2012, 01:31 PM

Politicians in Walton County sometimes confuse and at the same time amuse me. At the candidate forum in Freeport, I met Mrs. Thorn and I also met Mr. Alford. Mrs. Thorn took the time to talk with me and she gave me some information about herself. She also asked for my vote. Mr. Alford introduced himself and said "Don't I know you"? I told him that we had never met but that he might have heard my name from his wife, who hired my wife in 2006. He was polite but he never asked for my vote. Perhaps he assumed that he had enough votes without mine.

**Jdarg** · 08-11-2012, 02:15 PM

I just have to ask, why is it always necessary to mention the religious affiliation? Are we voting party AND religious denomination now?

**Andy A** · 08-12-2012, 08:03 AM

For those in doubt, at a Citizen's For Better Government meeting not long ago, Gwyn Thomas made a presentation to the group. It was direct, to the point and no nonsense nor political rhetoric. It was what she would do and how she would conduct her office if elected. Consequently, since I am unfamiliar with all the candidates in this race, she received my vote based on her very informative presentation.

**j p nettles** · 08-12-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jdarg

I just have to ask, why is it always necessary to mention the religious affiliation? Are we voting party AND religious denomination now?

For many people in Walton County it's a big deal. Some politicians here seem to think that they are better qualified if they can trace their ancestory to a time before the arrival of Ponce de Leon, being a Southern Baptist and being a card carrying Republican.

**ShallowsNole** · 08-13-2012, 12:16 PM

As pointed out, it's a BIG deal for many of us. :-)

**caikco** · 08-14-2012, 02:29 PM

I decided to vote for Mrs. Thorn. She certainly meets the experience requirement. In watching the candidates online in various forums through neighborvision and Mrs. Thorn's Web site, it's clear that she's competent in the skill sets needed to do the job. And I like the way she doesn't just read a pre-written statement to tell her qualifications and plans as clerk. I also thought that it may be a decent indicator of transparency of her clerk's office that she has posted several candidate forums/media coverage (even the WMBB one which was clearly fairly unflattering to her) on her Web site for everyone to see and make their own judgments.

As far as the Walton native & Christian thing, I'm not offended when a candidate mentions them, because I know that many voters do see this as a "must-have" thing before considering anything else.

**Jdarg** · 08-14-2012, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by caikco

I decided to vote for Mrs. Thorn. She certainly meets the experience requirement. In watching the candidates online in various forums through neighborvision and Mrs. Thorn's Web site, it's clear that she's competent in the skill sets needed to do the job. And I like the way she doesn't just read a pre-written statement to tell her qualifications and plans as clerk. I also thought that it may be a decent indicator of transparency of her clerk's office that she has posted several candidate forums/media coverage (even the WMBB one which was clearly fairly unflattering to her) on her Web site for everyone to see and make their own judgments.

As far as the Walton native & Christian thing, I'm not offended when a candidate mentions them, because I know that many voters do see this as a "must-have" thing before considering anything else.

Thank you for summarizing the real reasons to vote for Ms. Thorn (or any candidate). I still don't understand the religious thing though, as I was raised in a home where religion was completely separate from politics and education. We went to school to learn, we went to church, and we voted based on the experience and qualifications of a specific candidate, so unless someone is running for "Baptist Minister" (just and example), religion never came in to the conversation, and I have yet to see that it is a good thing.

**j p nettles** · 08-14-2012, 05:54 PM

I don't think it's important that someone be a Baptist, Methodist, Catholic or whatever but I feel more comfortable knowing that a person attends a church or synagogue and believes in God. I happen to be a member of a Protestant denomination but it isn't important which one, and I'm not running for anything anyway. As far as political affiliation, I'm a registered Republican but I'll vote for a Democrat in a minute if the Republican is corrupt. And I didn't vote for anyone who took money from the two biggest contributors to Walton County politicians.

**Teresa** · 08-25-2012, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jdarg

I just have to ask, why is it always necessary to mention the religious affiliation? Are we voting party AND religious denomination now?

As you well know, its a southern thing! Deal with it! haha
I really am not interested in a person's religious affiliation (or non-affilation).
Don't care! BUT, I guess I would like to know if they are going to be quoting the bible to make new laws (recent actions/statements in the news in the name of "christianity" is quite disturbing - but revealing).
So, in a way, we do need to know about a candidate's religious background and belief system. Also, I suppose it is human nature to like or trust someone based on having similar backgrounds and religions, even though I would like to say I know better.