Sean Griswold, a 19-year-old St. Johns County native and Jacksonville University student, is running for the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board Group 3 seat in the Nov. 3 general election.

The nonpartisan race is a three-way contest. Griswold faces Christopher Cannan and Sean Hess, according to BallotReady election data. The Group 3 seat is open because Daniel Bean, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is not seeking election to a full term, News4JAX reported.

Griswold said his top priorities are job creation, keeping the airport authority's tax rate at zero millage and expanding the airport's economic impact through new technology, according to his response to the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.

Candidate information

  • Residence: Saint Johns, FL 32259, according to his campaign treasurer's report filed with St. Johns County
  • Education: Graduated magna cum laude from St. Augustine High School's Aviation & Aerospace Academy in 2025; earned a dual enrollment certificate in aviation from Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2025; passed the FAA Ground School exam in 2025; pursuing a double major in aviation management and business administration at Jacksonville University's Cost Honors College, with an expected graduation of 2029, according to his campaign website
  • Aviation background: Griswold said he is the great-grandson of an original pilot for Northwest Airlines, the grandson of an Alaskan bush pilot and sailplane club president, and the son of a father he described as an aviator at heart. He began flight training for his private pilot license around St. Augustine Airport but said the FAA deemed a skull fracture he sustained at two weeks old as a moderate traumatic brain injury, preventing his medical sign-off. Rather than wait for a final FAA decision, he said he pivoted to study aviation management and business administration at Jacksonville University.
  • Academics: Griswold said he is part of the inaugural class of Jacksonville University's Cost Honors College and has made the dean's list every semester.

Experience and public service

Griswold listed the following roles on his campaign website:

  • Board member, St. Johns County School District's Academy of Aviation & Aerospace Advisory Board (2024–2025)
  • Aerospace Club president, St. Augustine High School (2024–2025)
  • Vice president, Pharoahs Car Club of St. Johns Inc. Griswold said the club presented a $20,000 ceremonial check to K9s For Warriors and has over 140 members.
  • Vice president, St. Johns County Young Republicans
  • Vice president, Turning Point USA at Jacksonville University
  • Founding president, Turning Point USA at St. Augustine High School (2023–2025)
  • Member, St. Augustine Airport Pilots Association
  • Saxophonist, Saint Augustine Concert Band
  • Facility attendant, Governmental Management Services (starting January 2025)

On the issues

Job creation and aviation education: Griswold said his first priority is creating and maintaining jobs. He said he would support infrastructure, attract investment and build partnerships with St. Augustine High School's Aviation & Aerospace Academy and local colleges to connect students with aviation careers in St. Johns County.

Taxpayer protection: Griswold said his second priority is protecting taxpayers by keeping the airport authority taxation at zero millage. He said he would pursue state and federal grants while growing airport business revenue for critical infrastructure rather than raising taxes.

Airport economic development: Griswold said St. Augustine Airport is one of the largest business assets in St. Johns County. He said its 8,000-foot runway can accommodate large aircraft, creating opportunities for expansion of maintenance centers, cargo, and defense and avionics companies, such as existing partner Northrop Grumman.

Advanced Air Mobility: Griswold said his third priority is expanding the airport's economic impact through Advanced Air Mobility and new technology opportunities.

Endorsements

Griswold lists the following endorsements on his campaign website:

  • Daniel Bean, St. Johns County Airport Authority Board member (Group 3 incumbent)
  • Mario Dipola, St. Johns County Airport Authority vice chair
  • Jerry Dedge, St. Johns County Airport Authority Board member
  • Kevin Allen, St. Johns County School Board member-elect
  • Buck Burney, Keystone Heights Airport Authority Board member (retired lieutenant colonel)

Griswold said on his endorsements page that he is endorsed by a majority of the St. Johns County Airport Authority Board members.