John H. Wilson, a retired New York City criminal court judge, is running for the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board Group 2 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Asked why he is seeking the office, 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 … I hope to work to reverse that undemocratic recommendation."

Jerry Dedge and Daniel Rotstein are also running in the nonpartisan race, according to News4Jax's 2026 voter's guide.

Candidate information

Age: 64

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

Education: Wilson listed his education in our questionnaire as "BA, Fordham University" in "Political Science/Philosophy" and "JD, Pace University School of Law".

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

Experience and public service

Wilson described his work history 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."

He listed previous offices held as "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 listed service as law chairman of the Bronx County Conservative Party and as a board member of the St. Augustine Jazz and Blues Heritage Society in his News4Jax voter's guide responses.

On the issues

Why he says he is qualified: Wilson said in our questionnaire: "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."

Fuel pricing and lease deals: Asked about fuel-pricing competition and past lease deals, Wilson said in our questionnaire: "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 … All current leases should be reviewed, and all such unfair leases should be weeded out ASAP."

Differences from his opponent: Wilson said in our questionnaire: "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."

Motivation for serving: Wilson said in our questionnaire: "It is my firm belief that someone, such as myself, with a positive history of fairness and even handed consideration of issues of justice would be a welcome addition to such a Board."

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