Who’s in and Who’s Out this Election Cycle

Russell Tuff
President
The Right Men’s Club

The qualifying deadline for federal and judicial candidates has now passed. This means no new candidates will enter the race for Congressional District 19 to replace Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida Governor.

The qualifying period for Federal and Judicial offices ends on April 24th. After that date, we will see which candidates remain from the current field of Republican hopefuls.

Nine Republican are currently vying for the nomination Congressional District 19 (currently held by Byron Donalds:

• Madison Cawthorne
• Chris Collins
• Ola Hawatmeh
• Dylan Modarelli
• James Oberweis
• Mike Pedersen
• Linda Sawyer
• Jim Schwartzel
• John Strand.

Congressional District 18 (Covering Immokalee) has only incumbent Scott Franklin on the Republican ticket. Congressional District 26, seat currently held by Mario Diaz-Balart has no Republicans running against Diaz-Balart.

US Senator Ashley Moody, as an opponent in Christopher Gleason, Michaelangelo Collins Hamilton (I’m not making that up), and Neelam Taneja Perry.

Local and State of Florida Races

Governor Race

The Florida Governor’s Race has our very own Byron Donalds, with a strong poll advantage will be running against a slew of opponents, with the top three also rans, begin Lt Governor Jay Collins, Former Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner, and outspoken candidate James Fishback, and 11 total running for the Republican ticket.

Chief Financial Officer has four that have filed to run. They include:

• Blaise Ingoglia (incumbent)
• Frank William Collage
• Joe Gruters
• Kevin Steele

Commissioner of Agriculture

Two Republican candidates have filed. They include:

• Richard Earl Olle Jr.
• Matt The Welder (I’m not making that up)

State Attorney – Amira Fox (incumbent) is running unopposed.

State Senator (District 28): Lauren Melo (unopposed in the Republican primary)

State Representative Races 80 and 81 currently have no Republican challengers filed for the seats held by Adam Botana and Yvette Benarroch, respectively.

House District 82 (Lauren Melo’s former seat in eastern Collier County) has three Republican candidates:

• Bill Poteet
• Liesa Priddy
• Hugo Vargas

(Note: Drew Montez-Clark has publicly withdrawn.)

State Legislative and Local Races – May 11^th is the deadline to file for County and District candidates. The qualifying period ends June 12^th.

Collier County Commission

The Republicans signed up in the local races include: 

Collier County Commission District 2

• Chris Hall (Incumbent) His opponent Ron Kezeske has publicly announced he will not be running)

Collier County Commission District 4

• Daniel Kowal (Incumbent)
• Daniel Zegarac

All of the area judges are unopposed

Collier County School Board (Nonpartisan)

Collier County School District 1

• Jeff Donaldson
• Stephanie Nordin
• Democrat Opponent filed

Collier County School District 3

• Kelly Mason
• Democrat opponent file

Collier County School District 5

• Tiim Moshier
• Democrat opponent filed

Collier Mosquito Control District Seat 1

• Dave Farmer (Unopposed)

Collier Mosquito Control District Seat 2

• Sandra Lee Buxton
• Democrat opponent filed

Collier Mosquito Control District Seat 3

• Ed Brandt
• Jay Kohlhagen

Greater Naples FD (E Naples Division) Seat 1

• Mark Cherney (unopposed)

Greater Naples FD Seat 3

• Brian Cross (unopposed)

Greater Naples FD (Golden Gate Div) Seat 4

• Patrick Dearborn (Unopposed)

Immokalee Fire District Seat 1

• Donald Gunthner (unopposed)

Immokalee Fire District Seat 4

• No Republican Candidate

Pelican March CDD Seat 3

• Brent Smith

Other pertinent dates:

Primary Election

July 4 – Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots uniformed and overseas voters (UOCACA).^th

July 9 – Beginning of mandatory window to mail domestic vote-by-mail ballots

August 9 – First day of early voting

August 6 (Thursday 5 pm)  – Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed.

August 15 Last day of early voting

August 18 (Tuesday) Primary Election Day: Polls are open 7 am to 7 pm