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Fernandina Beach Politics is a ‘Blood Sport’ — And Potential Candidates Are Walking Away
COMMENTARY
In Fernandina Beach, “local politics is a blood sport.”
Thamm, a respected historian and longtime writer for The Fernandina Observer who died last June, would not be surprised by the political landscape the city now finds itself in today.
She lived long enough to see a turning point — when nonpartisan city commission races began to shift away from debates over local issues and toward something far more corrosive: campaigns driven by personal attacks, ideological labeling, and smear tactics aimed at candidates’ lifestyles and perceived political identities rather than their positions on city matters.
That shift didn’t just change the tone of elections. It raised the stakes, escalated campaign costs, and made running for office a far more punishing experience.
Now, the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore.
Mayor James Antun is not seeking re-election. Former Vice Mayor Len Kreger and Shrimp Festival Chair Scott Inglis are competing for that seat.
Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue has filed to run again. He is, so far, unopposed.
Three candidates. Two seats. And only weeks before qualifying closes.
Compare that to recent cycles: six candidates for three seats in 2024. Eight candidates for two seats in 2022. Eight again for three seats in 2020.
Something has changed — and not for the better.
Why would anyone of sound judgment willingly step into this environment.
But what has surrounded that issue is something very different.
The public conversation — particularly on social media and in local political circles — has not stayed focused on policy. Instead, it has frequently veered into personal territory: questioning motives, assigning hidden agendas, and portraying elected officials as acting in bad faith rather than engaging in a difficult policy decision.
In 2022, The Observer documented repeated efforts by local Republican Party activists to frame candidates such as Minshew and Commissioner Joyce Tuten through a partisan lens in what are supposed to be nonpartisan elections. Messaging tied local candidates to broader national political narratives — often unrelated to the responsibilities of serving on a city commission.
Today, potential candidates can look at local blogs and Facebook groups and see how quickly a campaign can turn personal. Policy disagreements are no longer enough. Narratives form rapidly — about who a candidate is, what they supposedly represent, and whose interests they are presumed to serve.
Those narratives are repeated, amplified, and hardened into perception.
This is the modern smear campaign — not always explicit, not always coordinated in a traditional sense, but effective, nonetheless.
And it is succeeding.
There is a difference between holding elected officials accountable and creating a climate where anyone who steps forward is immediately defined, labeled, and targeted.
We have crossed that line.
And the result is now visible in plain numbers: fewer candidates, less competition, and fewer choices for voters.
This is not about protecting incumbents or shielding public officials from criticism. Robust debate is essential. Disagreement is healthy. Accountability is necessary.
But when the debate shifts from “I disagree with your decision” to “you cannot be trusted,” or “you represent something larger and more dangerous,” the barrier to entry for public service rises sharply.
Most people, understandably, will choose not to cross it.
Suanne Thamm saw this coming years ago.
What she described as a “blood sport” has only intensified — and until the community decides to change the tone, the trend will continue.
Two seats. Three candidates.
And a growing silence from those who have decided it simply isn’t worth it.
Editor's Note: 2026 QUALIFYING PERIOD
Comments
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rswarner
Trust. The name of a sinking ship. Great article.
Monday, April 6 Report this
KStadelman
Great commentary on today's political climate.
In a microcosm, a reaction to worldwide stress. Environmental deterioration leading to societal breakdown, as exemplified in politics (another term for power relationships.)
Apparently taking the homilies heard over Easter to heart is tougher than we thought.
Thank you, Mike (you've become a voice crying in the wilderness!)
Monday, April 6 Report this
PaulaM
I miss Suzanne she was very wise. This opinion is right on point and it seems Fernandina is a microcosm for the rest of the country…good candidates don’t want to subject themselves or their families to the ugliness that is today’s political landscape. Sad state of affairs all around and it definitely needs to change.
Monday, April 6 Report this
Kelprod
My experience as it relates to local governance is that candidates are motivated by 2 things- ego or agenda. If the motivation is ego, those candidates should be avoided at all costs. If the motivation is agenda, then the personal benefit of the agenda should be open for debate. The ideal candidate is one who is motivated by an agenda that serves the community and has zero personal benefit for the candidate. In the end, regardless of level of governance, rarely do the "best and brightest" step forward...they don't have time, patience or tolerance for the nonsense which surely will result.
Monday, April 6 Report this
GeorgeM
True, Len. But your example focuses on one side. not the other ones who hid their political affiliations and lied about their positions while running for office. Meanwhile, no one seems to be focusing on reducing the huge growth in spending and instead regards it as a revenue problem .... hence, abominations like paid parking to pay for a new city hall palace and seawall a project that doesn't recognize that water seeks its level all along the coast.
Monday, April 6 Report this
Brokerphil
Spot on commentary. It starts at the top of the name-calling and lack of civility, and unfortunately, the nonstop personalization of a difference of views is getting worse. Political parties are private organizations with a monopoly on thought. They should be eliminated and then the money taken out of politics.
The sad thing is that at the end of the day most people agree on 95% of issues. Unfortunately, with social media and our political party system we end up, emphasizing the things that we don’t agree on.
Monday, April 6 Report this
Karen1952
It kept me from ruining against Ayscue. His position on our LDC should scare everyone.
Tuesday, April 7 Report this
Mark Tomes
I can't argue with the point of the article, but I encourage writers to stop using violent language. "Blood sport" drifts too far over the line of appropriate descriptions of the problem. We live in times where many of our political leaders encourage violence, in subtle as well as overt ways, and there are people out there who don't have the ability to restrain themselves from exercising violent actions that they think their political leaders and talking heads are advocating. We don't need to be adding more violent language to the conversation. Words matter. I know, "blood sport" is just a phrase, but it's also a trigger for some people and just too extremist language to be using at all.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
brucebaugh
Mike, you hinted at it but didn't name it directly. What is happening in Fernandina Beach is a mirror of what is happening in the entire country. The timeline clearly coincides with the Trump era. He models what his supporters think, empowering them to do the same harmful nonsense. The result is the Fernandina mess you so properly described here.
Those of us who wintered on the island saw this blood bath coming. It is a major reason why we, and others we know, no longer choose to come to Amelia Island to spend our money. The entire island is changing and not for the better, all because of idiotic leadership and horrible decisions.
We mourn for what is happening, and clearly see that the city and the island have passed the point of no return in preserving the best of the island, all for the sake of profit. Lord, have mercy.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
Mark Tomes
Gosh, you'd think the whole island was on fire, looking at people's comments here. I doubt some of the personal attacks and vitriol are any worse than they have been over many decades here in Fernandina. I grew up on the island, and I remember some pretty nasty fights at City Hall. Remember the fight over driving on the beach?! You would have thought the world was coming to an end. Look around folks, we have some incredible beauty and incredible people working hard to keep it that way, and we've got some good city council members on our side. Support them, and get involved, and keep up the good work!
Thursday, April 9 Report this