It looks like the Broward County District 9 race just got a little bit more interesting.

The coveted seat, vacated by shamed former County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, and currently filled by Commissioner Al Jones, seems to be a hot commodity around town, and the candidates are lining up to fill the spot. The most recent candidate to throw his hat in the ring is Lauderhill Vice-Mayor Dale Holness.

Holness, who announced his candidacy recently, joins Lauderhill Commissioner Margaret Bates; former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton Moore, and Pastor Allen Jackson on the Democratic side vying for the top spot in the August 24 primaries.

Holness, a viable candidate, contested the seat in the 2008 elections, but lost to then incumbent Eggelletion. Holness said, “I’m running for office to effect change and to enhance the quality of life of the people in District 9.”

Continuing on the platform he ran on in 2008, Holness said based on the demographics, District 9, which covers nine cities and has some 96,000 registered voters, needs the most help.

“District 9 has the highest rates of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, high school dropouts and crime, while it has the lowest rate of homeownership,” which Holness said are critical problems that need to be addressed.

Emphasizing economic development and job creation, Holness said solutions must be found to the myriad problems facing District 9.

“The county must ensure that a significant amount of the almost $3 billion budget is spent with contractors and businesses within District 9 and those who hire people from the district. Investing here will mean improved economic development, improved self-esteem and reduced crime,” he said adding that “District 9 must no longer be the weakest link.”

Pointing to the direct correlation between the lack of education and crime, Holness said, “County commissioners will tell you their job is to maintain the airports, seaports, libraries etc… but the county doesn’t have to be the School Board to see the need for improvement in education and do something. It is a fact that 85 percent of the people in Broward and Miami-Dade jails have no GED and 45 percent of them are functionally illiterate.”

He added that, “This election cannot be about the candidates, it has to be about the people and how we work enhance their lives.”

State Representative Hazelle Rogers has given a full-throated endorsement of Holness, whom she said “is ready for the position”.