Tom Rivers seeks reelection to port district board

Incumbent Tom Rivers is seeking reelection to the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District Board's Group 5 seat Nov. 3.

The nonpartisan race features Rivers against challenger Clay M. Hansen, according to the News4JAX voter's guide. Rivers has served in elected and appointed roles across St. Johns County for decades.

He previously won a Group 2 seat on the same port district board in November 2004, according to Historic City News.

Candidate information

Office sought: St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District Board, Group 5
Party: Nonpartisan
Education: Bachelor of fine arts, University of Florida
Occupation: Broker associate at Florida Homes Realty and Mortgage (since 1978), according to the St. Augustine Port Authority's board page
Community involvement: Third-degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, according to Historic City News; music director and organist at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Elkton; has hosted foreign exchange students from South American and European countries for 18 years, according to the port authority's board page

Experience and public service

Rivers has held elected office, appointed positions and civic roles across St. Johns County, according to the port authority's board page and Historic City News:

St. Johns County School Board: School board member (1980–1984) and school board chairman (1983–1984)
St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District: Commissioner, Group 2 (elected November 2004); current Group 5 commissioner
Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council: Representative (1995–2001)
St. Johns County Property Adjustment Board: Member
St. Johns County Multiple Listing Service: President
Republican Party of Florida, St. Johns County: State committeeman
Greater St. Augustine Republican Club: Treasurer

Rivers taught high school in Clay and St. Johns County public schools from 1969 to 1978, according to Historic City News.

Endorsements

The Historic City News Editorial Review Board endorsed Rivers for a separate office, St. Johns County Republican committeeman, according to Historic City News.