Candidate for Board of County Commission, District 2: A.M. "Hupp" Huppmann
The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce recently asked each candidate running for the Board of County Commission to answer a candidate questionnaire that we could share with members and the community. Answers to each question have been copied and pasted exactly as they were submitted.Â
For additional information or questions, please contact the Chamber at (904) 261-3248
2026 Board of County Commission Candidate Forum
EXPERIENCE & LEADERSHIP
1. Why are you seeking election to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners?
Nassau County is at a pivotal point. We must bring spending and growth under control before residents face higher taxes, worsening congestion, and infrastructure that cannot keep pace.
During my first term, I have pushed for lower millage rates, stronger impact fees, better public-safety funding, and greater budget accountability. In a second term, I will continue fighting for a 10% spending reduction, responsible growth, and protection from incompatible developments such as hyperscale data centers.
2. What experiences best prepare you to serve the residents and businesses of Nassau County?
I served 20 years in the United States Navy and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. That experience taught me leadership, accountability, teamwork, and how to manage limited resources.
I also hold a business degree, have operated a local business, served as Chairman of the County Commission, and completed advanced training through the Florida Association of Counties. These experiences have prepared me to make difficult decisions and remain accountable for the results.
3. What do you believe are the three most important issues facing Nassau County today?
First, controlling government spending and ensuring taxpayers receive value for every dollar.
Second, making roads, drainage, public safety, utilities, and other infrastructure keep pace with growth.
Third, building a stronger local economy while preserving Nassau County’s neighborhoods, rural communities, and natural character.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS
4. How should Nassau County balance economic growth with preserving the character of its communities?
Growth should be directed toward locations with adequate roads, utilities, and infrastructure. Commercial and industrial development belongs in designated areas, while rural communities, established neighborhoods, and environmentally sensitive lands require stronger protections.
Economic growth and community character do not have to conflict. Predictable rules, proper buffers, infrastructure requirements, and meaningful public participation can protect both.
5. What policies would you support to strengthen small businesses, attract quality employers, and create high-paying jobs?
Small businesses need predictable regulations, timely permitting, and a County government that helps solve problems. I support clearer permitting timelines and greater accountability when applications are delayed.
Incentives for larger employers should be limited to projects that provide measurable benefits, including high wages, substantial investment, and long-term jobs. Agreements should include performance standards and clawbacks when promises are not met.
6. How should the County prioritize investments in roads, utilities, broadband, and other infrastructure needed to support continued growth?
Infrastructure funding should be based on safety, documented need, economic benefit, and the number of people served - not political influence.
Priority should be given to dangerous intersections, congestion, drainage, emergency-response needs, and projects that support job creation. New development must also pay its fair share through properly calculated mobility and impact fees.
7. In 2022, nearly 68% of Nassau County voters approved up to $30 million in bonds for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program. What role do you believe the CLAM Program should play in Nassau County's future, and how would you balance land conservation, private property rights, economic development, and the needs of the business community?
Voters clearly supported protecting important conservation lands, and that mandate should be honored. CLAM should focus on water quality, flood protection, wildlife habitat, scenic corridors, and meaningful public access.
The program must also respect private property rights. Purchases should involve willing sellers, independent appraisals, transparent rankings, and full consideration of long-term maintenance costs. Conservation easements should be considered when they can protect land at a lower public cost.
8. Nassau County recently adopted a temporary moratorium on data center development and established a fact-finding process to evaluate the potential community impacts of these facilities. What factors should guide the County’s final policy on data centers, and how would you balance potential investment and tax revenue with demands on utilities, neighboring properties, and the needs of existing businesses and residents?
The County must consider electricity and water use, utility costs, noise, generators, air emissions, stormwater, nearby properties, emergency services, job creation, and the true tax benefit after incentives and infrastructure expenses.
I supported the temporary moratorium so Nassau County could develop strong, legally defensible standards. Hyperscale data centers should not be placed near neighborhoods or environmentally sensitive areas, and existing residents and businesses should never be forced to subsidize their costs.
HOUSING & WORKFORCE
9. Workforce housing continues to be one of Nassau County's greatest challenges. What role should County government play in expanding housing opportunities while maintaining responsible growth?
County government should not become a housing developer, but it can remove unnecessary barriers and support private, nonprofit, and employer-led workforce-housing projects.
I support expedited permitting, targeted fee assistance, SHIP funding, partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, and compatible accessory dwelling units. Workforce housing should be located near jobs, schools, shopping, and existing infrastructure and not used to justify poorly planned density in rural areas.
10. How can the County better support workforce development and strengthen partnerships with schools, colleges, and employers?
The County should bring employers, the school district, FSCJ, CareerSource, and economic-development organizations together to identify real workforce needs.
We should expand apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, industry certifications, and training in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, aviation, technology, and public safety. Nassau County residents should be able to prepare for good-paying careers close to home.
GOVERNMENT & LEADERSHIP
11. How will you ensure transparency and public trust in County government?
The public’s business should be conducted in public. Meeting materials, contracts, budget information, and incentive agreements should be posted early enough for meaningful review.
I also support public workshops, plain-language explanations, performance measures, departmental audits, and accessible budget information. Transparency means more than meeting minimum legal requirements. It means giving residents a genuine opportunity to understand and influence their government.
12. Describe your leadership style and how you approach differing viewpoints when making decisions.
I lead much as I did as a Navy Senior Chief: establish the mission, listen to the people who understand the details, ask direct questions, and accept responsibility for the decision.
I respect differing viewpoints and look for common ground, but leadership also requires making a decision. I will vote based on what I believe is best for Nassau County, explain my reasoning publicly, and remain accountable for the outcome.
13. What role should regional partnerships play in addressing countywide challenges?
Transportation, water, emergency preparedness, workforce development, and conservation do not stop at county lines. Nassau County should work closely with municipalities, neighboring counties, regional organizations, and state agencies.
These partnerships can help secure funding and coordinate major projects. However, regional cooperation should never require Nassau County to surrender control over local land-use or quality-of-life decisions.
14. Florida voters will consider significant property-tax reform on the November ballot that could provide additional relief to homesteaded property owners while reducing revenue available to counties and municipalities. Do you support the proposed reform, how do you believe it would affect homeowners, businesses, renters, and local government services, and what steps should Nassau County take to prepare while continuing to fund public safety, infrastructure, conservation, and other essential services?
I support meaningful property-tax relief and the proposed reform. Homeowners are facing higher insurance, utility, and everyday costs, and government should not automatically spend every additional dollar generated by rising property values.
The County must prepare now through spending reductions, efficiency reviews, contract savings, elimination of duplication, and protection of reserves. Public safety, roads, drainage, conservation, and legal obligations must remain priorities.
Tax relief should not become a tax shift onto businesses, renters, or higher fees. The answer must be a smaller and more efficient county government.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE & PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
15. Have you ever received, or do you currently receive, compensation, advertising revenue, sponsorship income, monetization revenue, consulting fees, in-kind benefits, or any other thing of value connected to online content in which you discuss local government issues, public policy matters, elected officials, candidates, or campaigns? If yes, please describe the source and nature of the compensation, the issue or candidate involved, and whether the financial relationship was publicly disclosed.
No. I have not received compensation, advertising revenue, sponsorship income, consulting fees, monetization revenue, in-kind benefits, or anything else of value in exchange for online content involving local government, public policy, elected officials, candidates, or campaigns.
My publicly reported compensation as a County Commissioner is unrelated to producing or monetizing online content.
CLOSING
16. What specific accomplishment would you hope to achieve during your first term?
My principal goal is a permanent, verifiable 10% reduction in recurring county spending while protecting public safety and essential infrastructure.
That means real efficiencies and not simply reducing a proposed increase or moving expenses between accounts. Achieving this goal would place Nassau County in a stronger position to provide tax relief and maintain the services residents and businesses rely upon.
17. Is there anything else you would like Nassau County's business community to know?
I am pro-business, but that does not mean giving special interests a blank check. A healthy business environment requires reasonable taxes, predictable rules, dependable infrastructure, safe communities, and timely decisions.
I will support local entrepreneurs and responsible employers, insist that growth pays its fair share, and make decisions based on Nassau County’s long-term interests—not the loudest or most politically connected voice in the room.