Jerry Dedge is running for a full elected term on the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board. Dedge, a retired military aviator appointed to the Group 2 seat in 2025, faces John H. Wilson in the nonpartisan race on Nov. 3.

Asked why he is seeking election, Dedge said in our candidate questionnaire: "I have been on the board for a year now and quite frankly we inherited a mess. So over the last year we have been playing cleanup … I have never left something I have started unfinished."

Candidate information

Full name: Gerald Dedge

Age: 67, according to News4JAX's voter's guide

Family: "I have been married to a Cheri Andrew for 38 years and we have two daughters and 5 grandchildren," Dedge said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: "I have been a Republican since turning 18," Dedge said in our questionnaire.

Education: In our questionnaire, Dedge listed:

  • "BS/Aeronautics Embry Riddle 2011"
  • "AS/General Studies Vincennes University 2009"
  • "AA/Criminal Justice St. Johns River CC 1998"

He also listed NTSB accident investigation and FAA safety management courses in our questionnaire.

Previous elected or appointed office: "My current position on the Saint Augustine Airport Authority Board was an appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis. This will be the first time I am officially running for office," Dedge said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Dedge said in our questionnaire: "After 41 years of service an Army aviator, I retired from the Army and the Florida National Guard 6 years ago. During my tenure as a part time guardsman my full time employment was flying for Shand's Hospital at the University of Florida and later on at Baptist Hospital in downtown Jacksonville." He said he "also served as a reserve deputy in Saint John's County for 24 years, and started the air unit in 1997 under then Sheriff Neil Perry."

According to Gov. Ron DeSantis' office, Dedge served as a command chief warrant officer in the Florida National Guard and as a captain at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. He is vice president of the Florida National Guard Foundation and a member of the St. Johns County Veterans Council.

Asked what sets him apart, Dedge said in our questionnaire: "I have 41 years of experience as a pilot, instructor pilot, standardization pilot, aviation safety officer and NTSB accident investigator. I have ran three heliports in a combat zone to include Liberty Heliport, Embassy Heliport and Udari Army Airfield."

On the issues

Board governance and airport growth: Dedge told the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce that his first priority "is to remain transparent in all of our dealings, ensure we are fiscally responsible, and continue to seek out economic opportunities that will continue to grow the Saint Augustine airport."

Airport terminal building: Asked about the airport's unused commercial terminal, Dedge said in our questionnaire: "This has been my pet peeve since I have been on this board. Since we only have one fixed based operator (FBO) on the field with the highest fuel prices within 150 miles and exorbitant ramp fees its time to explore our options plus competition is good … it keeps companies on their game." He said his vision would be "to split the terminal up into two sides and create another FBO space on one side, and maybe a commuter airline passenger service could utilize the other side with daily flights to the major hubs like Atlanta or Charlotte."

Hangar development: Dedge told the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce his second priority is "to continue to develop new corporate hangers as well as T hangers for the GA community."

Advanced air mobility: Dedge told the chamber his third priority is to "continue to explore the Advanced Air Mobility possibilities," describing it as a future system for "low-altitude passenger transport, cargo delivery, and public service capabilities."