As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Florida Senate District 10 Democratic candidates
The Florida Senate District 10 election is a Democratic primary for registered Democrats living in the district. The winner will move on to the general election in November to face incumbent Republican State Sen. Jason Brodeur.
Florida Senate District 10 represents Seminole County and part of Orange County in Central Florida.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our News Collaborative partners at Oviedo Community News compiled the candidate responses for Florida Senate District 10. Below is an excerpt of each candidate’s profile. To see the full responses, go to the Oviedo Community News candidate page link for each candidate.
You can also see the full Oviedo Community News Voting Guide HERE.
H. Alexander Duncan
WEBSITE: duncan2026.com/
Oviedo Community News candidate profile: oviedocommunitynews.org/profile/h-alexander-duncan/
Candidate Q&A: The questions below are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race was asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates’ answers were fact-checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited.
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
- Government: Increased transparency of government. From budgets to actions, to create greater accountability of elected officials and honesty in public service and to both increase citizens’ accessibility to government and to simplify more government services for everyday citizens. To increase government production, while we decrease government corruption.
- Environment: Locally, protection of the Seminole County rural boundary and greater preservation of natural lands. Statewide, to increase protections for conservation lands and a return of more robust Home Rule powers to increase local control and say in environmental issues.
- Affordability: To reduce government taxes and fees on individuals, families and small businesses. To bring down healthcare, childcare and elder care costs for working families. To address out-of-control insurance rates from cars to homes, and to address home prices and rent.
For incumbents: Why do you deserve re-election to this race? For challengers and open seats: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I’ve never sold the public a false image. I’ve always just been me. Nothing more, nothing less. I don’t carry a briefcase, I wear a backpack. I’m not a suit-and-tie type of guy but I try to dress for the occasion. I’m not clean-cut; I have nearly a half-dozen tattoos. I don’t speak in legalese and political jargon, I just talk straight and in plain English. I’m not into being politically correct nor a politician. I’ve been elected, arrested, a protester and the protested. I meet with citizens in churches, mosques and temples, but I also visit citizens in trap houses, on street corners and at trailer parks. In my life – I’ve drank heavily, smoked good and partied hard. In my service – I’ve worked late, been honest and cut no deals. I’ve always loved politics, but I’ve always hated “politicking.” So, in my efforts to return OUR government to “We The People” by “leading by example,” I say: I’m just me. Nothing special, not a saint. I’m as flawed as anyone, but I’m never afraid. When it all hits the fan and I’m under attack, I’m being accused, questioned and drug through the mud? That’s cool. I’m doing it for the right reasons: my community, my fellow countrymen, our future generations.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? To reduce taxes and fees on residents; reform the state insurance industry and to address healthcare costs and childcare costs for Florida families. To implement new and innovative methods in housing construction (to reduce new home construction costs) and home loans (for both new homeowners and renewed homeowners).
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes, and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I would have to vote no. The bill is poorly written, partisan-centered and currently off-base in addressing lost funding concerns, nor does it seem forward-leaning in being flexible to unforeseen future changes in political, social and economic terms.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Reality says we must stop these data centers. We must protect our natural resources, mainly our waters. This is a question of high-tech fracking, basically. These utilities, starting with the state commission itself, must be investigated, held accountable and then reformed in concern to rising costs to consumers.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue the government should address in Florida? As the former Vice Chairman of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District, I’d say: land conservation and preservation and the protection of water resources.
John Lowndes
WEBSITE: www.johnlowndesforflorida.com/
Oviedo Community News candidate profile: oviedocommunitynews.org/profile/john-lowndes/
Candidate Q&A: The questions below are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race was asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates’ answers were fact-checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited.
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
- Affordability. Families are being squeezed by rising costs for housing, insurance, healthcare and utilities. I’ll focus on lowering those costs by increasing accountability in the insurance market, promoting more affordable housing options, protecting consumers from unnecessary utility rate increases and making government work more efficiently.
- Protecting local communities from overreach and irresponsible growth. As Mayor, I’ve seen how local leaders understand their communities best. I’ll fight to restore local decision-making, protect Seminole County’s rural boundary and support responsible growth that preserves our quality of life.
- Strengthening public education. Every child deserves a great public school. I’ll work to ensure public schools have the resources they need, support raises for teachers and make sure taxpayer dollars are spent in ways that improve student outcomes.
For incumbents: Why do you deserve re-election to this race? For challengers and open seats: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I’ve spent more than a decade serving our community on the Maitland City Council and as mayor, solving problems instead of creating political fights. My career as an attorney working on land use, utilities, infrastructure and public policy has given me a practical understanding of how government works. I’m running because families need someone focused on lowering costs and delivering real results, not partisan talking points.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Housing affordability starts with increasing supply in the right places while protecting existing neighborhoods and natural resources. We should encourage workforce housing, streamline permitting where appropriate, invest in infrastructure that supports smart growth and address the insurance and utility costs that are making homeownership increasingly unaffordable. Housing isn’t affordable if you can’t afford the insurance or utility bill that comes with it.
Will you vote YES or NO on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes, and explain your position. How would you replace lost revenue – fees and/or service reductions? I have concerns about the amendment as currently proposed because it doesn’t identify a responsible way to replace the revenue that funds local services like police, fire protection, parks and roads. Floridians have worked hard and they deserve relief, but property taxes aren’t the core affordability problem facing most Floridians; skyrocketing insurance premiums are. Any tax reform should provide meaningful relief without simply shifting costs onto taxpayers through service cuts or higher fees. For those reasons, I will be voting no.
Utility costs are rising for customers in Florida, and the proliferation of data centers is expected to exacerbate that issue. How should Florida’s utility regulators respond? Utilities should demonstrate that new infrastructure primarily serving large industrial users, including data centers, does not unfairly shift costs onto residential customers. Regulators should require transparency, encourage energy efficiency and ensure investments are necessary and cost-effective. Families shouldn’t end up subsidizing private development through higher monthly utility bills.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue the government should address in Florida? Florida’s natural lands are one of our greatest assets, and once they’re gone, we can’t get them back. We need to protect Seminole County’s rural boundary, preserve Florida’s wild spaces, and safeguard the lakes, rivers, wetlands and aquifers that support our communities and economy. Growth should happen where infrastructure already exists — not at the expense of our natural lands and water resources. We can accommodate growth while preserving the quality of life that makes Central Florida such a great place to live.