Two more candidates stump for Putnam votes

By Al Krombach/ Palatka Daily News

Putnam County continues to draw state office-seekers this week as candidates for governor and state senator climb on stumps at the county’s outskirts.

Alachua County Sheriff Steve Oelrich is running for the District 14 seat in the Florida Senate. That’s the seat currently held by state Sen. Rod Smith, who’s campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor.

The district includes a portion of western Putnam County.

Oelrich is scheduled for a “meet and greet” session at 5 p.m. today at the Backwoods Smokehouse, 888 County Road 310, Interlachen. The public is welcome.

Oelrich has been sheriff of Alachua County for more than 14 years. He started his law enforcement career as a police officer in St. Petersburg and later worked as a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Oelrich will face Travis Horn in the Republican primary. Democratic contenders are state Rep. Ed Jennings, D-Gainesville, and Perry McGriff Jr.

The current District 14 office-holder will come to Putnam on Wednesday as part of his campaign for governor.

Rod Smith is scheduled to appear at the Howe Memorial United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 252 S. Summit St. (U.S. 17) from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Smith is a former state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit and has been a state senator since 2000.

Smith’s challenger for the Democratic nomination is U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, who has made a few visits to Putnam this year.

The primary election is Sept. 5. The general election is Nov. 7.