OAKLEAF – An attorney is hoping her background of hard work and service to the community will propel her to a seat on the county’s dais in November.

Alexandra Compere, a Republican candidate for County Commission District 2, is a first-generation American and was raised in Clay County. According to her website, her parents came to the U.S. from Haiti seeking a better life in the 1980s.

Compere attended the University of North Florida, the North Florida Theological Seminary and the Florida Coastal School of Law. She’s also on the Ethics Board for Clinical Pastoral Education International.

She was involved in political organizations in high school and served in the jail ministry at her church as a teen.

“It seemed like the natural next step for me to serve the constituents of Clay,” she said.

District 2 commissioner and BCC Chairman Wayne Bolla is term-limited after being elected in 2014. The district encompasses Oakleaf and when commissioners were required to adjust the voting maps due to population changes from the 2020 U.S. Census it went relatively untouched.

Compere called District 2 a beautiful part of the county growing fast, but said she wants to serve the entire county. Compere said she’s optimistic about one of Clay County’s major challenges: remaining unique while staying with the times. She felt her message would resonate with residents.

“With State Road 23, it’s an attractive area. We definitely want smart growth in that area,” Compere said. “We want to maintain our culture and fold in the changes that are happening.”

Another of Compere’s priorities is public safety. The No.1 function of the government is to ensure its residents are safe, she said.

“Public safety is a growing concern,” Compere added.

Similar to how a customer can go to Chick-fil-A for quality and service, Compere said, she called for an effective government with a high level of service. She said her goal is to be accessible to the public and hear their opinions.

“We are very keen on making sure the quality of life remains high,” Compere said. “Clay County has high expectations. The residents have high expectations. I’m not only ready to meet them, but exceed them.”