Sam Johnson

Two Republicans are trying to overcome incumbent Sam Johnson for his run for a second term as Polk County commissioner, District 5: Chris Dowdy, 28, a youth minister, and Stan Goudy, 64, a funeral director and former minister. The winner will face a Democratic opponent in November, also to be determined in Tuesday's election.

Both Republican challengers have criticized Johnson's support of a 2005 vote to establish a taxing district in the unincorporated areas of the county to pay for road improvements, parks and libraries.

Johnson hasn't backed away from it: "I think something was necessary," he told The Ledger recently. "There was an extreme infrastructure deficit. Doing nothing was not an option. I would have liked to have seen less of an increase, and I fought to get it lower for parks and libraries. I don't plan to support any further tax increases."

Before his election four years ago, Johnson was a school administrator. He holds a real estate license and is affiliated with Lakeland broker Gene Engle.

Dowdy says Johnson's tax increase was "irresponsible" and added, "Proposed library programs and parks are probably not the most needed right now." Left unaddressed is the fact that, given Polk's population, the county is far behind other counties in the availability of recreation areas and media facilities.

Goudy, too, says the tax increase was uncalled-for and the commission is "out of touch" with its constituents. He says other commissioners have "talked him [Johnson] into voting" for their projects.

While his opponents can argue that Johnson could have been a stronger commissioner, he has a practical reply: "Doing nothing was not an option."

The Ledger recommends Sam Johnson, County Commissioner, District 5, Republican.