Gahring, O’Quinn set for Lee Probate Court runoff

LEESBURG — In one of the most entertaining and closely contested local political races in recent memory, the four candidates for the Probate Court judgeship in Lee County pretty much split the vote among the 29 percent of the county’s voters who went to the polls on May 24.

The two who emerged as front-runners in that race — Melanie Gahring, who received 1,282 votes, and Miles O’Quinn, who got 1,214 — have continued their quest to replace retiring Probate Judge John Wheaton in a race that most likely will be determined by how many of their supporters they can entice to return to the voting booth on July 26.

“It’s tiring, it’s stressful, and I’ve already spent double what I envisioned spending on this race,” O’Quinn, an investigator with the Southwest Judicial Circuit’s district attorney’s office, said as he waved at passing cars along Cedric Drive recently. “This runoff is like starting over. So many people thought the election was over on May 25, so a lot of them took down yard signs. You have to go back out and touch base again.

“But this is another way that I can help my community. I was born and raised here, and except for the time I served in the Navy, I’ve lived my whole life here.”

Gahring, meanwhile, said her four years of service as Probate Court deputy clerk leave her as the better-prepared candidate to fill her soon-to-be former boss’ shoes.

“I’m the only candidate who has spent a full day in the Probate Court offices; I have a full grasp of the duties of that office,” Gahring said. “I have been performing all of the functions of the office for the past four years, and I have made connections with all the agencies we work with in other counties and on the state level.

“I take a personal interest in every person who has business with the court, and I listen respectfully to each one of them as we deal with the life-changing events of Probate Court.”

Unlike other levels of the state’s court system, Probate Court judges are not required to hold law degrees in communities with fewer than 96,000 citizens. The court is, as Gahring said, involved with a number of life experiences, from birth to death, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, misdemeanor DUI and drug charges, wills, estates and firearm licenses.

Gahring said her experiences have prepared her for a move down the hall in the Probate office.

“I have a degree in Criminal Justice (from Florida State College, Jacksonville), and I have more than 850 hours of POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification,” she said. “I’m very familiar with the inner workings of the criminal justice system.

“But my four years in the Probate Court office have allowed me to carry out the duties of that office and have shown me how important the functions of that office are to citizens in the community. I also have 11 years experience in an administrative role with Leesburg United Methodist Church, so I’ve dealt with budgeting and finance as well.”

After his stint in the Navy, O’Quinn worked with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office before taking his current position as an investigator with the Southwest Judicial Circuit DA’s office.

“I believe (Probate Court judge) is the logical next step for my career,” he said. “I am dedicated to serving this county, and I love the job that I have now. But I feel that I can better serve the community as Probate Court judge.

“There’s nothing ‘wrong’ with that office now; Judge Wheaton has served the community well in his career. But one thing I promise to do as judge is to improve the overall customer service in that office. People’s time is valuable, and I want to make sure that the time they spend in the office is minimal.”

As the runoff vote draws nearer, both candidates say they’re aware of projections that as few as 10 percent of the county’s voters may go to the polls.

“You stand alongside roads and wave, you send out mailers, you remind your supporters that they have to vote,” O’Quinn said. “I’ve talked with Gail Drake (one of the two Probate Court candidates who didn’t make the runoff), and she’s indicated she plans to send out a letter of endorsement. I think with her influence on the west side of the county, that could be big.

“I can tell you that I have gained a greater respect for people who (are career politicians). It’s not an easy thing to do. When you help run a household that includes a teenage daughter who’s a cheerleader, work at a job that doesn’t allow you a lot of free time for campaigning — we had a murder case to prepare for and grand jury presentments — well, I guess the best thing I have going is I have a very patient wife.”

Gahring says that while knowledge of the duties of the position is key to her qualifications, it’s her compassion that makes her the right person to serve as Wheaton’s replacement.

“Yes, I’m very well-prepared to move into that office, to serve the people of Lee County as Probate Court judge,” she said. “But I think it’s just as important that I am a people person, I am someone who will listen to the people who come to the Probate Court office. I’m an advocate for the elderly and the less fortunate, and I will serve all of the people in our county regardless of their social status, age or political affiliation.

“I think the person who serves as Probate Court judge has to be a good listener, a counselor, a comforter and an administrator. I have all of those qualities. And I want to give back the kindness that the people of our community have shown me by serving them.”

Advance voting in the race will continue in the county Elections Office Mondays-Fridays through July 22. Polls on election day will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in all 10 county precincts.