James A. Croft of Olustee served four years on the Baker County Commission 28 years ago and he’s back for more.

The 53-year-old evangelist and occasional radio host filed documents with Supervisor of Elections Nita Crawford’s office on April 9 to challenge incumbent county commissioner Michael R. Crews of Glen St. Mary.

Mr. Crews, a former Baker County Sheriff’s Office deputy and head of security at Northeast Florida State Hospital, qualified for the 2012 ballot in February by collecting the 140 petition signatures required.

Mr. Croft has yet to qualify either by petition or by paying the $1788 fee. Candidates have until May 7 to qualify by petition and until June 8 to qualify by fee.

Both candidates are running for the District 1 seat as Republicans and will meet in the August 14 primary should both qualify.

Baker County Sheriff Joey B. Dobson officially launched his re-election campaign this week as well by filing documentation with the election’s supervisor on April 9.

A written statement from the sheriff says he intends to run on his record, “advanced professional training” and “substantial law enforcement career experience.”

The Democrat has drawn three challengers thus far: two Republicans in St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cameron Coward of Macclenny and Gregory Bohannon, plus Independent Timothy Smith, an employee at the Walmart Distribution Center.

Mr. Coward and Mr. Bohannan had qualified for the race as of early this week by petition.

Sheriff Dobson won re-election in 2008 with nearly 82 percent of the vote, defeating Mr. Bohannon and Mr. Smith, who garnered 10.33 percent and 7.76 percent of the electorate, respectively, four years ago.

Other constitutional officers began filing their 2012 election paperwork recently as well, though none had drawn opponents as of early this week.

Elections supervisor Nita Crawford filed on April 3, Property Appraiser Tim Sweat on April 4, Tax Collector Gene Harvey on April 4 and Clerk of Courts Al Fraser on March 24.

All four are running as Democrats.

The general election will be November 6. For more information about running for office or the upcoming elections, please call the elections office at 259-6339 or visit www.bakerelections.com.