BALLOT CHOICES - EVAL SHEET FL-1 2026

SR COUNTY BALLOT - Candidate Review Pros/Cons

US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1 - FL

A Blue Collar Analysis

Douglas Chico

Summary: Grassroots, everyday Floridian candidate who emphasizes pocketbook issues (rising insurance costs, housing prices), accountability, local input, cutting federal overreach, and supporting veterans and military families. Offers a non-establishment option.
Pros:

Strong local connection and relatable personal story
Focus on cost-of-living and insurance affordability
Pro-military and veterans-oriented platform

Cons:

Limited name recognition and fundraising ability
Minimal previous political experience
Positions on key national issues remain undefined

John Frankman

Summary: Business-minded candidate focused on economic development, reducing regulations, small business growth, attracting high-paying jobs, infrastructure investments (ports, roads, broadband), energy independence, and conservative fiscal values.
Pros:

Pro-business and job creation focus
Clear stance on energy and infrastructure
Practical, solution-oriented style

Cons:

Less visible in local media and debates
Could benefit from more detailed policy positions
No congressional or legislative experience

Jimmy Patronis

Summary: Experienced public servant relying on his statewide tenure as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. Emphasizes executive experience in budget management, disaster recovery, insurance reform, and emergency management to hit the ground running in Congress.
Pros:

Extensive statewide executive experience as CFO
Strong hurricane response and insurance reform record
High name recognition and political connections

Cons:

Seen as a political insider by some voters
More aligned with establishment Republicans
Statewide record may not translate directly to federal legislative work

US SENATE

Chris Gleason

Pros:

Brings a strong bipartisan, pragmatic approach that can attract support across party lines.
Prioritizes public education, infrastructure, and renewable energy, which appeal to voters focused on long-term investment.
Clear stance on protecting Social Security and Medicare aligns with older and working-class voters.

Cons:

Immigration policy is underdeveloped compared to other candidates, leaving a gap in their platform.
Less name recognition and political experience than other statewide candidates, which may limit early momentum.
Some positions (e.g., gun safety measures) could face pushback from conservative voters.

Ashley Moody

Pros:

Solid record as Florida Attorney General fighting drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crime, which resonates with public safety concerns.
Strong fiscal conservative credentials and support for lower taxes attract business-minded voters.
Already has statewide name recognition and political experience.

Cons:

Social stances (e.g., anti-abortion, religious liberty focus) can polarize voters.
Education has not been a prominent focus, which may leave a gap for voters who prioritize schools.
Critics may see their enforcement-heavy approach as less focused on root causes of crime.

Neelam Taneja

Pros:

Forward-looking focus on clean energy, technology, and workforce training appeals to younger and innovation-oriented voters.
Supports inclusive policies like paid family leave and accessible healthcare, attracting progressive voters.
Small-business and minority-owned enterprise support could broaden their coalition.

Cons:

Lacks prior elected office experience, which raises questions about governing readiness.
Public safety and immigration receive less emphasis, leaving those areas undefined.
Innovation-heavy platform may not address immediate concerns like cost of living for all voters.

Perry Ernest “Ernie” Rivera

Pros:

Strong emphasis on disaster resilience and rebuilding infrastructure, which directly connects to Florida’s hurricane needs.
Supports local control of schools and limited federal mandates, appealing to conservative and rural voters.
Focus on national defense and veterans’ services can draw military community support.

Cons:

Healthcare plan is vague and relies on market-based reforms, which may worry voters seeking concrete coverage solutions.
Conservative social stances and immigration enforcement positions limit appeal to moderate or progressive voters.
Lower statewide visibility compared to other candidates could hinder campaign reach.

GOVERNOR

Jay Collins

Summary: Supporters highlight his military background and work on veterans’ issues, arguing he understands sacrifice and can bring discipline to state government. They also point to his focus on border security and public safety. Critics argue he lacks broad executive experience.
Pros:

Proven leadership in high-pressure environments
Strong commitment to veterans

Cons:

Limited policy depth beyond defense and immigration

Byron Donalds

Summary: Supporters see him as a consistent conservative voice who supports school choice, tax cuts, and parental rights. His congressional record and name recognition make him a credible statewide leader.
Pros:

Reliable conservative platform
Strong digital fundraising base

Cons:

Polarizing figure outside his base
Limited executive management experience

James Fishback

Summary: Supporters present him as an outsider businessman who wants to cut government waste and reduce red tape. His pro-growth, limited-government message appeals to entrepreneurs and fiscal conservatives.
Pros:

Fresh perspective
Clear economic vision

Cons:

No elected record
Unproven in crisis management

Jim Holcomb

Summary: Supporters emphasize his logistical and organizational background, arguing he can streamline state services and improve disaster response. They like his focus on infrastructure modernization.
Pros:

Practical approach to administration
Emphasis on resilient infrastructure

Cons:

Unknown on key social and criminal justice issues

Arthur Joseph McCaffrey

Summary: Supporters view him as a principled constitutionalist who will defend gun rights and local control. His grassroots outreach resonates with voters who want less state interference.
Pros:

Strong second-amendment credentials
Small-government message

Cons:

Limited statewide visibility
Potential single-issue campaign

Daniel Nokovich

Summary: Supporters describe him as a sharp-eyed reformer who will audit government spending and root out corruption. His message of fiscal transparency appeals to voters tired of political insider deals.
Pros:

Strong anti-corruption stance
Outsider appeal

Cons:

Untested in high-level office
Few detailed policy papers

Paul Renner

Summary: Supporters point to his leadership as Speaker of the House, citing school safety, tort reform, and coastal resilience programs he helped push through.
Pros:

Legislative experience
Access to policy networks and proven track record

Cons:

Insider status may hurt reform credentials
Polarizing on social issues

Rachel Rodriguez

Summary: Supporters champion her record on pro-life issues, parental rights, and law enforcement funding as a fearless advocate for traditional family values and public safety.
Pros:

Consistent ideological base
Passionate campaigning

Cons:

Narrow appeal state-wide
Little fiscal or administrative experience

James W. Shaw

Summary: Supporters highlight his business background and commitment to cutting taxes for working families, presenting him as an everyday Floridian.
Pros:

Relatable personal story
Focus on affordability

Cons:

Unproven on complex policy
Limited institutional support

Caneste Succe

Summary: Supporters describe him as a community-driven candidate focused on small business growth and immigrant integration issues.
Pros:

Focus on cultural diversity and local economy
Authentic community ties

Cons:

Weak fundraising
Minimal statewide name recognition

Bobby Williams

Summary: Supporters appreciate his long history of civic involvement and steady approach to public service.
Pros:

Calm leadership style
Emphasis on unity

Cons:

May appear too vague
Struggled to differentiate from larger names

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Frank William Collige

Summary: Supporters point to his outsider status, focusing strictly on protecting taxpayer dollars, fiscal transparency, auditing state spending, and eliminating waste.
Pros:

Strong focus on transparency and anti-waste
Outsider perspective, untainted by political establishment
Simple, clear message on fiscal discipline

Cons:

Limited name recognition across the state
No previous experience in elected office
Policy details on insurance and pension management are underexplored

Blaise Ingoglia

Summary: Earns support based on his experience in the Florida Senate and deep knowledge of state government. Focuses on conservative fiscal policy, insurance reform, deregulation, and lowering insurance costs.
Pros:

Proven legislative experience and institutional knowledge
Strong stance on insurance reform and cost reduction
Established statewide political network and name recognition

Cons:

Seen by some as a political insider loyal to party leadership
May not be aggressive enough in challenging the current system
Legislative votes could be used against him by opponents

NEXT - County BOCC

SANTA ROSA COUNTY BOCC

Jeff Ates IV

Summary: You should support Jeff Ates IV because he is a sixth-generation Santa Rosa County resident with deep local roots and more than 25–30 years of hands-on experience in land management, earthworks, infrastructure projects, and environmental consulting. As a lifelong East Milton resident who previously operated a dirt pit supplying materials for local projects and now consults in related fields, he brings practical knowledge of roads, drainage, stormwater, erosion control, and how growth affects everyday life. He narrowly lost to the incumbent in 2022 and is running again on a results-oriented platform focused on fixing infrastructure bottlenecks, responsible growth, public safety, and accountable government rather than pure politics. His network with engineers, the Department of Environmental Protection, FDOT, and other specialists positions him to push projects forward efficiently.
Ates emphasizes that Santa Rosa County is growing faster than its roads, drainage, and systems can handle, and he argues experienced problem-solvers—not career politicians—are needed to deliver improvements while protecting quality of life. His background gives him credibility on the core issues voters repeatedly raise (roads before unchecked development, flood control, and practical delivery). Supporting him means backing someone who has lived the challenges of District 2 and built a career solving the kinds of physical and environmental problems the county faces.

Pros: Deep local roots and multi-decade private-sector infrastructure/land experience; prior strong showing in 2022; clear focus on roads, drainage, and practical project delivery; professional networks that could accelerate results.
Cons: Lost the last race (though narrowly); less formal elected experience than some rivals; may be taken as snarky.

Reni “Renee” Johnmeyer

Summary: Support Reni “Renee” Johnmeyer for her background as a conservative grassroots activist, community advocate, and Santa Rosa County resident since 2007who prioritizes parental rights, government transparency, limited government, and constitutional principles. As Vice Chair of the local Republican Liberty Caucus chapter and a Republican Executive Committee committeewoman, she has experience organizing and speaking truth to power at city, county, and state levels. She frames her candidacy around defending the values that make Northwest Florida a good place to raise families, promoting accountability, and addressing responsible growth, infrastructure/traffic, economic development, and public safety while preserving quality of life.
Johnmeyer presents herself as a wife, mother, and grandmother with deep community ties who will bring an outsider’s scrutiny to what she and supporters see as entrenched interests. Her emphasis on transparency and grassroots conservatism appeals to voters frustrated with the status quo and seeking a stronger voice for parents and limited-government principles on the commission. Backing her supports elevating someone already active in local Republican and liberty-oriented circles who wants to keep government closer to the people.

Pros: Active in local GOP and Liberty Caucus leadership; strong messaging on transparency, parental rights, family-oriented conservative profile.
Cons: A limited detailed public record of prior elected or executive experience in county government; platform looks like all others, challengers on growth and infrastructure; newer to high-profile campaigns compared with some opponents.

Erin Nisewonger

Summary: Erin Nisewonger merits support as a military veteran and former law-enforcement professional who brings crisis-management training (including a Master’s in National Security) and a servant-leadership philosophy shaped by faith and public service. She is running to restore the residents’ voice, arguing that infrastructure is crumbling, roads are congested, and families are inconvenienced by current processes. Her platform stresses transparency and accountability over what she calls a “good-old-boys” culture, responsible development that creates jobs while preserving the “old Florida” character and natural resources/farmland, support for law enforcement alongside Second Amendment rights, and economic opportunities (including tourism) without sacrificing small-town quality of life.
As a mother and someone with operational experience in emergency response and interagency coordination, she positions herself as a fighter who will prioritize working families and put people before politics. Supporting her means choosing a candidate with uniformed service credentials and a focus on integrity, public safety, and balanced growth who wants to inject new energy and accountability into District 2 representation.

Pros: Veteran and law-enforcement background plus advanced security/crisis training; clear emphasis on transparency, public safety, constitutional rights, and preserving local character; positions herself as an outsider to entrenched interests.
Cons: Relatively newer to the local political spotlight; less extensive private-sector infrastructure or prior elected experience than some rivals; platform shares common themes (roads, growth management, accountability) with the crowded field.

Ronald “Casper” Pittman

Summary: Ronald “Casper” Pittman should be considered because he is a lifelong Northwest Florida resident with family roots in Santa Rosa County dating back before the Civil War, a successful multi-decade business owner (never filed bankruptcy), and National President of Bikers for Trump. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who has coached youth sports locally, he runs on “Moving Santa Rosa County Forward” with priorities of infrastructure fixes (drawing on 30+ years as a marine contractor for roads, drainage, and flooding), stopping over-development that favors developers and realtors over citizens, full support for law enforcement and first responders, protecting farmland and rural character, restoring integrity/honesty by ending special-interest influence, and 100% transparency while voting as the people’s voice.
Pittman argues that the commission has become too influenced by development interests at the expense of infrastructure, public safety, and residents’ quality of life. His combination of deep local heritage, business accountability, and outsider critique of rezoning/variances appeals to voters wanting someone who will put citizens first. Supporting him backs a candidate promising hands-on problem-solving and resistance to unchecked growth.

Pros: Long local/family roots; extensive business ownership and marine-contractor experience relevant to infrastructure; strong anti-overdevelopment and transparency messaging; high-profile conservative affiliation.
Cons: Some public criticism and controversy noted in local discussions; less formal elected experience; platform is forceful on development issues, which could polarize voters who favor more growth.

Kerry Smith

Summary: Incumbent Kerry Smith warrants support for continuity and his existing record addressing the county’s rapid growth. A lifelong Northwest Florida resident (family moved to the area when he was an infant), small-business owner (realty), and one-term commissioner first elected in 2022 after a very close race, he campaigns on roadway improvement projects, fixing crumbling infrastructure before approving new development, accelerating road expansions to reduce congestion and improve safety, and responsible growth that protects quality of life. Official materials highlight a shift under his tenure from discussion to funded action on critical transportation projects.
As the sitting District 2 commissioner, Smith already has institutional knowledge, relationships within county government, and a track record voters can evaluate directly. Those who prioritize finishing started infrastructure work and maintaining conservative local leadership may see value in giving him a second term to complete priorities rather than starting over with a newcomer. Supporting the incumbent favors experience in the role and momentum on roads and growth management.
Pros: Current officeholder with direct experience and knowledge of ongoing projects; campaign emphasis on roads-before-development and funded transportation improvements; local roots and small-business background.
Cons: Faces significant challenger field and some public dissatisfaction or friction with constituents reported in local coverage; one-term record is mixed in the eyes of critics who want faster or different change; close 2022 win shows the seat is competitive.

Jeff Snow

Summary: Jeff Snow deserves consideration for his prior elected experience as a Milton City Council member (Ward 3) and professional background as an aircraft maintenance technician at Whiting Field (36 years). During his council tenure he helped prioritize wastewater infrastructure (including solutions to end effluent discharges into the Blackwater River), grew city financial reserves substantially, and helped secure tens of millions in state and federal grants for roads and major projects. He is pledging, if elected, to return 15% of the county commission salary, framing leadership as service and accountability. He emphasizes proven local government experience, work ethic, and Christian values.
Snow’s municipal record gives him concrete examples of fiscal and infrastructure results that translate to county-level challenges. Voters who value demonstrated local elected service, grant-writing/funding success, and a willingness to lead by personal financial example may find him a practical choice. Supporting him elevates someone with recent city-level experience who has already navigated public budgeting, infrastructure, and constituent service in the same broader community.

Pros: Prior elected service on Milton City Council with measurable infrastructure, reserve, and grant achievements; professional technical background; salary-reduction pledge as a signal of fiscal restraint; local focus.
Cons: Has faced public political friction in the past; moving from city to county requires scaling up; in a multi-candidate race, his profile must stand out against both the incumbent and other experienced challengers.

SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Rosa County FL 2006

David Farrow

Summary: Milton High graduate and Army veteran with 40+ years of business experience. Focuses on accountability, transparency, safer campuses, and student-centered decisions. Endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus for constitutional and fiscal principles.
Pros:

Army veteran and extensive business ownership/leadership experience
Strong emphasis on accountability and transparency
Liberty Caucus endorsement and education advocacy background

Cons:

No prior elected school board experience
Past public criticism regarding conduct at a public meeting

Linda Sanborn

Summary: Two-term incumbent and retired teacher with 35 years in Florida public schools. Co-owner of Adventures Unlimited and active community leader. Focuses on teacher needs, curriculum, and operational stability using extensive classroom experience.
Pros:

Deep institutional knowledge and 35 years of teaching experience
Recognized leadership award from Florida School Boards Association

Cons:

May be viewed as the status quo by voters seeking change

Marie Locklin

Summary: Recently retired educator with 39 years in local schools and experience on the Teachers’ Negotiation Team. Advocates for teacher retention, competitive pay, fiscal transparency, and strong parent-taxpayer communication.
Pros:

Extensive local teaching experience and negotiation skills
Clear focus on classroom conditions and parent engagement

Cons:

No prior elected school board experience

Scott Peden

Summary: Current board vice-chair with multiple terms of experience. Combines private-sector telecommunications management skills with a record of expanding meeting accessibility and streaming for transparency.
Pros:

Strong private-sector background in large budgets and personnel
Proven track record of supporting transparency measures

Cons:

Faces voter desire for change after multiple terms

Jill Broxson Teston

Summary: Fifth-generation resident and current district parent. Real estate professional focused on empowering parents, STEM/vocational expansion, mental health resources, and state-level advocacy for school funding.
Pros:

Provides a critical parent perspective from within the district
Detailed platform covering safety, infrastructure, and fiscal accountability

Cons:

No prior elected or formal school board experience

Carol Boston

Summary: Incumbent with 23 years of district experience as an employee and board member. Emphasizes evidence-based curricula, campus security, competitive teacher pay, and transparent budgeting.
Pros:

Extensive tenure and leadership roles as Chair/Vice Chair
Institutional knowledge and established professional relationships

Cons:

Recent controversial vote against teacher raises
Long service linked to accountability for district shortcomings

Kyle Connolly

Summary: Small-business owner and PTA leader with three children in local schools. Campaigns on fresh accountability, fiscal responsibility, and questioning the status quo to benefit students.
Pros:

Strong parent advocacy and PTA involvement
Business experience in budgeting and negotiation

Cons:

No prior elected school board experience
Currently resides outside District 3

BLUE COLLAR VOICE -- Tommy J Nichols tommyjnichols1985@gmail.com

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