Mayoral candidate, Commissioner David Arreola's now-former campaign manager hired as elections office worker

A now-former campaign manager of an active mayoral candidate has been hired by Alachua County's supervisor of elections.

But those involved in the hire say there is no conflict and the hiring was above board.

Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton confirmed the May hiring of Dillion Boatner, who previously ran Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola's mayoral campaign while attending the University of Florida.

Boatner, 25, is the full-time elections information specialist and public records custodian for the office, a position that officials say has no way of influencing the results of an election. The hiring was first reported by the Alachua Chronicle.

"When I interviewed him, I said, 'You will have to quit that campaign right away,'" Barton said.

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Boatner, who will make about $43,000, deffered comments on his new role to his boss, Barton, who said those who have concerns can rest easy knowing a canvassing board approves ballots, a transparent process that residents can watch in person.

Barton said the new employee, under the direction of the chief deputy in her office and the canvassing board, will run ballots through the vote-counting machines.

“The public will be at every meeting," she said. "He has nothing to do with the care and custody of the ballots prior to coming to the canvassing board meeting. Everybody can see that process through a glass window in this canvassing board room."

Boatner also comes to the office with an impressive resume, Barton added.

The political science major is just 10 credits shy of earning his degree, the least anyone has needed for anyone who held the position prior. He also played a role in helping draw new district lines locally, assisting UF professors Dan Smith and Michael McDonald.

Candidates often rely on UF students to help with campaigns during election years, though many understand the job is only temporary. Those campaign workers then develop experience and skills to move on to careers in politics. Campaign expenses show that Arreola's campaign last paid $750 to Boatner for his help on April 12.

Arreola praised Boatner for his work and congratulated him on his new role, adding that Boatner was immediately removed as treasurer and severed all campaign accounts and activity once he received the job offer.

“I hired him for a reason,” Arreola said. “I encourage anybody who wants to know more about elections and politics to work for campaigns. It really is an educational experience.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Mayoral candidate's former campaign manager hired at elections office