Pointing to her experience on issues such as water policy and the prison system, Republican Katherine Van Zant plans to run in 2016 to try to succeed her husband, state Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights.
Charles Van Zant will face term limits in House District 19, which includes Bradford, Putnam, Union and part of Clay counties. Katherine Van Zant, 53, said she has worked closely with her husband while he has been in office.
Also, as a water and wastewater engineer, she said she brings experience on water policy, which has become a priority for legislative leaders. Katherine Van Zant said the St. Johns River is a big issue in the district, as are water issues around areas such as Keystone Heights.
“A lot of people don’t realize this area is the water recharge area for North Central Florida,’’ she said.
Katherine Van Zant said she also has spent hundreds of hours volunteering in the prison system, which is a major employer in areas such as Bradford and Union counties.
Katherine Van Zant filed paperwork this week with the state Division of Elections as a first step toward running in 2016. At this point, she is the only candidate who has filed such paperwork to seek the seat.