John H. Wilson, a 64-year-old retired New York City criminal court judge, is running for the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board Group 2 seat. The nonpartisan election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Jerry Dedge, the incumbent appointed commissioner seeking a full term, and Daniel Rotstein are also running, according to News4Jax.

Asked why he is seeking the seat, Wilson said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am greatly concerned that the Board is currently comprised of 4 out of 5 members who are appointed, and that current Board has voted to recommend to the Florida legislature that the voters of St Johns County lose their right to elect members to the Board. The Airport Authority holds the right to tax the residents of St Johns County. There is nothing to stop an appointed board from exercising that right of taxation without representation through the elective process. I hope to work to reverse that undemocratic recommendation."

Candidate information

Age: 64

Family: "Widowed. One son," Wilson said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: "Republican. Vice President of the St Augustine Republican Club," Wilson said in our questionnaire.

Education: Wilson said in our questionnaire: "BA, Fordham University … JD, Pace University School of Law."

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Wilson said in our questionnaire: "Currently retired, I am a former Criminal Court Judge from New York City. I served as the Night Court Judge for Brooklyn. I have also worked as a Prosecutor for the Bronx District Attorney's Office and for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. I also served as a Criminal Defense lawyer in New York City."

On previous elected or appointed offices, Wilson said: "Elected to the Civil Court, Bronx County, New York in 2004. Appointed to serve as the Chief Prosecutor for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, 2015."

Wilson also served as law chairman of the Bronx County Conservative Party and is a board member of the St. Augustine Jazz and Blues Heritage Society, according to his responses in the News4Jax voters guide.

On the issues

Fuel pricing and competition: Asked about fuel-pricing concerns, Wilson said in our questionnaire: "From my attendance at meetings of the Airport Authority over the past year, I believe that there is an extreme lack of competition in fuel providers for users of the St Augustine airport, which causes high fuel prices. Such a lack of competition is unhealthy and must be reversed."

Airport leases: Wilson said: "Prior Boards, and prior Airport Administrators gave what can only be described as 'sweetheart deals' to some tenants of the airport. All current leases should be reviewed, and all such unfair leases should be weeded out ASAP."

Qualifications: Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Wilson said: "As a judge, I determined the ability of witnesses to be truthful, and exercised integrity and diligence in an almost daily search for justice. Given that 3 members of the Board were forced to resign rather than be prosecuted for violations of Florida's Sunshine laws, and a 4th resigned due to a conflict of interest, it would seem preferable to elect someone to the Airport Authority with a track record of fairness and upright conduct."

Differences from opponents: Wilson said: "My opponent currently sits on the Board. He is an appointed member, and voted in favor of removing the right of the citizens of St Johns County to elect members to the Airport Authority Board."

Best advice: "Listen to both sides before making any decision," Wilson said.