Sandra Fein, a retired registered nurse and healthcare executive, is running for Seat 2 on the Anastasia Mosquito Control District Board in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race includes three other candidates: Catherine Brandhorst, Ed Slavin and Tim Burton.

Asked why she is seeking the seat, Fein said in our candidate questionnaire:

"Protecting our community's health requires leadership grounded in evidence-based science, fiscal accountability, and public health education. As an RN, healthcare executive, educator and volunteer for the district's Disease Vector Education Center, I have seen firsthand how proactive education and outreach can prevent mosquito-borne diseases."

Candidate information

Age: 75, according to Fein's response to News4JAX

Family: Fein said in our questionnaire: "Married to a mostly retired academic physician/cardiologist, mother of two wonderful grown sons, and grandmother to 8 amazing grandchildren."

Party affiliation: Democrat, per our questionnaire. The race is nonpartisan.

Education: Fein listed in our questionnaire: "RN Diploma – Mary Hitchcock-Dartmouth Hospital School of Nursing, Hanover, NH … BA – Social Sciences, College of St Rose, Albany, NY … MA – Community Psychology, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY … Post-graduate coursework in Organizational Studies, SUNY-Albany, Albany, NY"

Previous elected or appointed office: Asked about prior office, Fein said in our questionnaire: "None"

She added: "Although I am a political novice, my experience in healthcare, fiscal oversight and education make me particularly well suited for this important position."

Experience and public service

Fein described her work history in our questionnaire:

"Head nurse in critical care & infectious diseases, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY … Administrative Director, Haven Hospice, Gainesville. Oversaw 200+ employees and a $10 million budget. Streamlined Quality Improvement and reduced labor costs by $250k yearly during my tenure."

She continued: "Director of Corporate Education & QI, EHR Inc, overseeing 3000+ physicians, nurses, and attorneys. Philadelphia, PA … Co-founder & senior VP - Critical Care Management Consultants, a national multi-disciplinary group … Trained >5500 physicians & nurses."

Fein also listed in our questionnaire: "St Leo University, Santa Fe College, Nova Southeastern College, Russell Sage College – teaching Psychology, Research Methods & Statistics, Leadership Development."

Her most recent work, per the questionnaire: "Volunteer, Disease Vector Educational Center (DVEC) … Assisted DVEC in obtaining Autism Certification."

On the issues

What made her run: Fein said in our questionnaire:

"Volunteering with the Disease Vector Education Center was simply the next step in my lifelong learning journey. Deciding to run for the AMCD Board was a personal decision driven entirely by my desire to participate in local public health challenges firsthand."

She added: "I realized mosquito control isn't just about mosquitoes; it connects disease prevention through cutting edge science, empowering residents with practical tools for mosquito control, and managing taxpayer dollars with complete transparency."

Community education: Asked what residents should know about mosquito control, Fein said in our questionnaire:

"A single teaspoon of standing water can breed hundreds of mosquitoes in under ten days, making unmanaged yards the primary source of neighborhood infestations. By taking just five minutes a week to 'Dump & Drain' any standing water, residents transform from passive bystanders into active partners with AMCD."

How she differs from other candidates: Fein said in our questionnaire:

"The critical difference lies in my clinical background as an RN, executive leadership, fiscal oversight, and educational teaching experience … While others may focus narrowly on operational management, I bring a fresh public healthcare perspective to the board centered on prevention, evidence-based research, operational management, and empowering residents through public health education."

Best advice: Fein shared in our questionnaire: "Communication is not about seeking agreement rather it is about creating understanding."

The Ponte Vedra Ledger profiled Catherine Brandhorst, another candidate in this race.