Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A candidate who hiked the length of Florida’s Congressional District 5 now wants to run it — at least figuratively. Mark Heggestad is approaching the three-way Democratic primary on Aug. 18 with a bit of retro-politicking, evoking the statewide pedestrian tour of former Democratic Gov. “Walkin’ Lawton” Chiles. The Jacksonville-to-St. Augustine District 5 is smaller, but the political challenge no less daunting for a Democrat, given the area’s strong Republican demographics and the dominant fundraising of the district's entrenched incumbent, John Rutherford (now seeking his fifth term). We ask Heggestad why he’s choosing to run now and what perspective he brings to the primary challenge against Rachel Grage and Alex Hazen (who has been invited to appear on First Coast Connect on Aug. 6).
First Coast Connect is covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org.
A candidate who hiked the length of Florida’s Congressional District 5 now wants to run it — at least figuratively. Mark Heggestad is approaching the three-way Democratic primary on Aug. 18 with a bit of retro-politicking, evoking the statewide pedestrian tour of former Democratic Gov. “Walkin’ Lawton” Chiles. The Jacksonville-to-St. Augustine District 5 is smaller, but the political challenge no less daunting for a Democrat, given the area’s strong Republican demographics and the dominant fundraising of the district's entrenched incumbent, John Rutherford (now seeking his fifth term). We ask Heggestad why he’s choosing to run now and what perspective he brings to the primary challenge against Rachel Grage and Alex Hazen (who has been invited to appear on First Coast Connect on Aug. 6).
First Coast Connect is covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org.
