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.
Marion County Commission District 4 Republican Primary
The Marion County Commission has five districts, and these are partisan races, which means you must be a member of a political party to vote in August. All voters will be able to choose from a final slate of candidates in November.
The winner of the Republican primary for the District 4 commission seat will go on to face write-in candidate Leonard Michael Racioppi in November.
County Commission District 4 encompasses the northeastern part of the county. You can see a map of the district HERE.
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.
News 6 compiled the candidate responses for Marion County Commission District 4, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. Responses were edited for spelling and grammar, but otherwise left intact.
Randall Alvord
WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585958091398
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Out of Control Government Spending. Scrutinize county spending and require staff to bring forward all opportunities for saving taxpayer funds. Bring county-funded construction costs in line with private sector costs. No more spending $700 per sf for new construction.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Growth Planning and Management. Focus growth in the already designated Urban Growth Boundary and preserve our rural areas. We are blessed in Marion County that nearly two-thirds of our county is currently under some form of preservation like the Ocala National Forest and the Farmland Preservation Area.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Accountability and Transparency. Marion County has been challenged with overdevelopment, and it seems that the vast majority has come from National builders that appear to have new developments “fast-tracked” while vested members of our community have faced limitations on what can be done to better strengthen our community. Strictly adhere to commissioners serving only two terms.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? Unlike all of my opponents, I did not need to go out and join organizations and clubs to become part of the community because I have been serving my entire life in our community. I am honored to be the only veteran in the District 4 Commission race and I proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and I am a Combat Veteran of the Gulf War. I have been a small business owner for over 30 years, doing Ag and Timberlands brokerage. As a small farm beef cattle producer, I know the importance of maintaining and preserving agriculture as one of our primary economic drivers here in Marion County.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? I hear this from nearly everyone I speak to. We start by controlling government spending. My opponents are in favor of increasing impact fees to only increase the ability to spend recklessly. Private sector, with strong oversight by elected leaders, will always be a better option for controlling costs of government projects. Marion County overwhelmingly passed an extension of the one-cent sales tax in 2024 and this has helped relieve the burden of property owners having to pay the majority of the cost burden. Approximately 30% of the 65 million revenues generated by the one-cent sales tax is paid by visitors and non-residents. These funds are specifically earmarked for infrastructure and public safety.
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? At this time, I am in favor of voting yes. In the 20-page joint resolution, there is some language that may allow counties, with legislature guidance, to remove the savings from the Save Our Homes protections under Amendment 10 and re-assess properties at current total just value. If this turns out to be accurate, about 20% of Marion County homeowners will be paying significantly more for their homesteaded taxes. The courts are currently reviewing ballot language according to recent reports.
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? Data Centers have no place in Marion County. It is hard to fathom the need for such large facilities. As technologies advance, smaller facilities with closed-loop cooling systems and the ability to generate their own power needs may be more welcoming. Until then, there will not be excessive demand placed on our grid and I will strongly advocate with regulatory authorities for this demand staying in check.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? Consumptive Use Permits issued by our governing water authorities need to have restrictions/limitations placed on them for times of drought like we are experiencing. Silver Springs is currently flowing at just over half its average hourly flow rate but yet we are allowing a water bottling company to continue to draw full capacity of its CUP just a few hundred yards away from the head springs. Most agree the only solution is to get a large amount of rainfall and soon to recharge our aquifer.
Jeff Bairstow
WEBSITE: www.jeff4marioncounty.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Infrastructure. My solution is infrastructure first. We need to strengthen concurrency, make sure road capacity is planned before major development is approved, prioritize the most dangerous and congested corridors, and make sure new growth pays a fair share through properly calculated impact fees. Existing residents should not carry the full burden for infrastructure needed because of new development.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Public safety. My solution is to plan staffing, stations, equipment, and emergency resources around real growth numbers. We need to support our first responders, improve response times, and make sure public safety facilities are included in long-term growth planning. After nearly 29 years in law enforcement, I understand that public safety works best when leaders plan ahead instead of reacting after a crisis.
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting water, springs, and our way of life. My solution is to protect the Farmland Preservation Area, strengthen growth boundaries, reduce pressure on rural lands, support smarter development where infrastructure already exists, and make water quality and water availability part of every major growth decision. Marion County can grow, but it must grow responsibly.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I bring experience in public service as a police officer for almost 29 years and 10 years as a business owner. Those two elements give me the understanding of being a public servant and the ability to run government like a business.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Stop shifting the cost of growth onto existing residents, spend taxpayer money carefully, protect core services, and make sure Marion County remains a place where working families, seniors, and young people can still afford to live. Affordability is more than just affordable housing, it is also the service worker that has to charge more to fix your AC, plumbing, electrical, etc. because they cannot get the same amount of service calls in per day, due to sitting in traffic.
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 think replaced revenue in Marion County could be replaced by impact fees and making sure that growth pays for growth. We need to look and NEEDS and WANTS in the County budget and treat that budget like we treat our household budget.
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? I am a hard NO for data centers in Marion County.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? Water quality and water supply. Before approving major development, the county should ask: Where will the water come from? Where will wastewater go? What is the impact on springs, wells, drainage, and aquifer recharge? Growth without water planning is like building a house and forgetting the plumbing.
Wanda Wimberly Lasher
WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/groups/1186585053501200/
Ms. Lasher did not respond to our requests to fill out the questionnaire.
Sherri Meadows
WEBSITE: https://www.meadowsformarion.com/
Top issues in your race
If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them:
YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Responsible growth and infrastructure planning. Growth is not the enemy, but unmanaged growth creates traffic, strains public safety, pressures water resources, and changes the quality of life that brought people to Marion County. I will support long-range planning that puts infrastructure first, directs growth where roads, utilities, schools, emergency services, and solid waste capacity can support it, and protects rural and agricultural areas. I will also support regular impact fee reviews, better coordination with the School Board, municipalities, the TPO, and public safety agencies, and clearer public notice before major land-use decisions are made.
YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Affordability and fiscal responsibility. Families, seniors, veterans, workers, and small businesses are being squeezed by taxes, insurance, utilities, housing costs, HOA fees, and everyday expenses. County government cannot control every cost, but it can control its own spending, fees, permitting process, and priorities. I will focus county dollars on core services first: public safety, roads, water, emergency response, and essential infrastructure. I will support workforce housing options that fit the community, reduce unnecessary delays in permitting, make sure new growth pays its fair share, and push for a budget culture that asks, “Does this improve the lives of the people paying for it?”
YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting Marion County’s water, springs, farms, and rural character. Our aquifer, springs, rivers, lakes, horse farms, forests, and agricultural lands are not just environmental assets — they are part of our economy, identity, and way of life. I will support stronger water-quality planning, stormwater accountability, careful review of utility expansions, protection of springsheds and recharge areas, conservation partnerships, and land-use decisions that consider long-term impacts on water, traffic, public safety, and quality of life. Protecting our natural resources must be part of every major growth decision, not an afterthought.
FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I am not asking voters to elect me because of a title. I am asking them to look at a lifetime of service, leadership, and real-world experience. Born in Florida, I moved to Marion County as a child, built a business here, raised my family here, and have spent decades serving this community in volunteer, civic, professional, and advocacy roles.
I have worked with local, state, and federal leaders on issues affecting housing, veterans, small businesses, property rights, water, land use, and quality of life. I have testified before Congress, served in statewide and national leadership, and currently serve in local volunteer roles that keep me connected to the challenges families are facing.
Marion County needs leadership that is prepared on Day One — not political rhetoric, not special-interest government, and not decisions made from an ivory tower. I bring business experience, servant leadership, fiscal discipline, and a deep love for Marion County. My commitment is simple: protect taxpayers, preserve what makes Marion County special, and advance responsible solutions for the future.
According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with Florida’s affordability issue? Affordability must be addressed from several directions. At the county level, that starts with fiscal discipline. Government must live within its means, prioritize core services, and avoid placing unnecessary costs on families and small businesses.
Second, we must plan growth better. When infrastructure lags behind growth, taxpayers end up paying the price through congestion, road backlogs, emergency service pressure, and higher long-term costs. New development should pay its fair share for the impacts it creates, while the county keeps fees predictable and fair.
Third, we need workforce housing solutions that fit Marion County. That means encouraging smaller homes, attainable housing near jobs and services, public-private partnerships, and responsible redevelopment where infrastructure already exists. It also means recognizing that affordability is not just the price of a home. Property taxes, insurance, utility bills, HOA fees, transportation costs, and wages all affect whether people can afford to live here.
The county cannot solve every affordability problem alone, but it can stop making the problem worse. I will support common-sense budgeting, efficient permitting, infrastructure-first planning, and policies that help working families, seniors, veterans, and young people stay in Marion County.
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 will vote yes but with fiscal guardrails - for meaningful property tax relief because homeowners, seniors, families, and working people need help. Property taxes have become a serious affordability issue, especially for people on fixed incomes and families trying to stay in their homes. That said, property tax relief must be implemented responsibly. Counties still have to fund law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency response, roads, water infrastructure, parks, and other essential services. I do not support simply replacing lost revenue by raising fees on working families, raising assessments, or cutting core public safety services. My approach would be to start with a full review of county spending, prioritize essential services, reduce duplication, phase non-essential projects when necessary, pursue grants and state partnerships, use impact fees appropriately for growth-related infrastructure, and require departments to justify increases with measurable results. If fees are considered, they must be tied directly to the service provided, transparent, lawful, and not used as a hidden tax. Property tax relief should force government to become more disciplined, not less accountable.
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? Florida’s utility regulators should protect residential customers and small businesses from subsidizing massive power users. Data centers can create jobs and investment, but they also place enormous demands on electricity, water, land, and infrastructure. Existing customers should not be forced to pay for upgrades, transmission, generation, or reliability costs created by private large-load users. Regulators should require clear cost-of-service analysis, special tariffs for large-load customers, long-term demand commitments, financial guarantees, and transparency in utility agreements. Local governments MUST retain authority over land use, compatibility, water impacts, emergency services, and community effects. Florida should welcome innovation, but not at the expense of taxpayers, water resources and environment, health of our citizens, or local quality of life.
What do you think is the biggest environmental issue your government should address in Florida? The biggest environmental issue for Marion County and Florida is protecting our water — both quality and quantity. Our aquifer, springs, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and recharge areas are the foundation of our environment, economy, agriculture, recreation, and quality of life. In Marion County, that means protecting the Floridan Aquifer, Silver Springs, Rainbow River, the Ocklawaha system, and the many lakes, forests, farms, and rural lands that help define our community. Water protection must be part of land-use decisions, utility planning, stormwater management, septic-to-sewer discussions, agricultural partnerships, and growth approvals.I support science-based water planning, strong stormwater standards, careful review of high-water-use projects, responsible utility expansion, conservation partnerships, and protecting rural and agricultural lands that help preserve recharge areas and open space. We cannot wait until there is a crisis to protect our water. Once springs, aquifers, and rural lands are damaged, they are difficult — and sometimes impossible — to restore.