Jason Smith is running for Seat 4 on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District Board in the Nov. 3 nonpartisan general election. Smith says he is a Navy veteran who serves as operations manager at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

He is one of four candidates. Gary Howell, George Tom Anagnos and Merrill Paul Roland are also running. Two seats on the five-member elected board are on the November ballot in nonpartisan races open to all St. Johns County voters, according to News4Jax's 2026 voter's guide.

Asked why he is running, Smith said in our candidate questionnaire: "I believe public service should be responsible, an organization like the Anastasia Mosquito Control District should mission focused on residents, and also our visitors. Much of my life has been centered on service; from my time in the Navy to my career at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, where I assist in the protection and care of a glorious historic site that belongs to our community."

Candidate information

Residence: Smith describes himself as a longtime St. Johns County resident.

Party: Smith said in our questionnaire: "This is a nonpartisan down ballot race, and the work of the Anastasia Mosquito Control District should remain focused on public health and education, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and effective service to all residents of St. Johns County. While I am a registered Democrat, I am running to serve the entire community and not a political party."

Family: Smith said in our questionnaire: "My wife, Ashli is a high school teacher at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. We are raising our children, including our three-year-old son, her two teenagers and my sixteen-year-old son, Joshua, who has significant cognitive and physical disabilities."

Education: Smith said in our questionnaire that he "earned a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Flagler College in 2019" and "returned to school as a working adult, balancing my education with career and family responsibilities."

Experience and public service

Smith said in our questionnaire: "I currently serve as Operations Manager at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, where I oversee facilities, maintenance, safety, security, and day-to-day site operations. I have worked at the Lighthouse since 2015."

He added: "Earlier in life, I served in the United States Navy, an experience that helped shape my approach to responsibility, teamwork, and public service."

This is his first campaign. Smith said in our questionnaire: "A seat on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District is my first campaign for elected office. I am also the first in my family to ever run for office."

On the issues

Why the mosquito control board: Smith said in our questionnaire: "For me, there is a common thread between military service, working at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and running for the mosquito control board: stewardship."

He added: "The district is already a strong organization, and I would like to help provide the oversight and stewardship needed to keep it that way."

Budget and Amendment 3: Smith identified the district's budget as a top concern. He said in our questionnaire: "If Amendment 3 passes, my first priority would be understanding exactly how much recurring revenue the district could lose, separating essential mosquito-control functions from expenses that can be delayed, reduced, or handled differently."

Smith cited outside analysis, saying: "In fiscal year 2025, 90% of the district's $9.2 million in revenue came from ad valorem taxes. Outside analysis from the Florida Policy Institute estimates roughly $1.6 million less for the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in 2028 and $3.3 million less for AMCD in 2029 under the amendment, although those effects would depend upon implementation and future tax rolls."

Differences from other candidates: Smith said in our questionnaire: "I believe all of the candidates in this race want what is best for our community. What may distinguish me is the path that brought me here."

He also said: "I am running because an open seat presents an opportunity to continue strong oversight and help protect what has already been built."

Smith's campaign website also lists public health education and scientific research as priorities, according to the candidate.