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.
Osceola County Commission District 4 Republican Primary
The Osceola 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 the winner of the Democratic primary in November.
County Commission District 4 encompasses part of Central Osceola County, including the Downtown Kissimmee area. 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.
Our News Collaborative partners at Osceola News Gazette compiled the candidate responses for Osceola County Commission District 4. Below is an excerpt of each candidate’s profile.
You can see the full Osceola News Gazette Voting Guide HERE.
Nelly Hernandez
WEBSITE: www.votenelly.com/
Why do you deserve to be elected by the Commission by those in District 4 in this race? I believe I am qualified for this office because of my experience as a business owner, community advocate, and someone who has worked closely with residents on real local issues. My background has taught me the importance of listening, being responsible with budgets, finding practical solutions, and making decisions that put the community first.
What do you feel are Osceola County’s three most pressing problems and give a brief explanation of how you’d advocate they’d be solved:
Infrastructure and mismanaged growth. Osceola County’s growth has outpaced our roads, drainage, and public services, and residents are the ones paying the price through traffic, flooding concerns, and strained services. I would advocate for common-sense growth management, including a temporary pause on major new residential land-use changes so infrastructure can catch up. New development should be compatible with the area, pay its fair share, and be approved only when roads, drainage, public safety, and services can support it.
Wasteful spending and lack of accountability. Residents deserve to know that every tax dollar is being used wisely. Too much money has been spent on projects and programs that do not directly improve the daily lives of Osceola families. I would advocate for stronger oversight, better transparency, and a careful review of county spending so dollars are redirected toward core needs like roads, drainage, public safety, and services residents actually use.
Rising property taxes and affordability for homeowners. Families should not feel like they are being taxed out of the homes they worked hard to buy. I would advocate for reducing the tax burden on homesteaded homeowners and protecting the American dream of homeownership.
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 is one of the biggest issues facing Florida families, and in Osceola County, it is tied to rising property taxes, insurance costs, and mismanaged growth. My solution is to protect homesteaded homeowners from being taxed out of their homes, review county spending before asking residents to pay more, and make sure growth is responsible and supported by proper roads, drainage, schools, and public safety. We need to make government spend smarter, reduce the burden on families, and protect the American dream of homeownership.
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position: Yes.
Homeowners need real relief. Property taxes continue to climb, and many families are feeling the pressure even after doing everything right.
This amendment is a step toward making Florida more affordable. I also believe local governments must be prepared to tighten budgets, cut waste, and focus on the services residents truly need.
Donald Shroyer
WEBSITE: www.donaldshroyer.com/
Why do you deserve to be elected by the Commission by those in District 4 in this race? I bring a unique combination of experience, relationships, and a proven record of delivering results for Osceola County. I am the only candidate in this race who has previously served as an elected official. That experience has given me firsthand knowledge of how government works, how decisions are made, and how to effectively advocate for our community’s needs. As a lifelong member of the Osceola County community, I understand the challenges and opportunities facing District 4 because I have lived them. My commitment is not a political ambition, but to serving the people and protecting the future of our county.
I have established strong working relationships in Tallahassee and throughout Florida government. Those connections matter because they help ensure that Osceola County has a seat at the table when important decisions are being made. Most importantly, I have a proven track record of securing appropriations and bringing resources back to our community. Results matter, and my experience demonstrates that I can successfully advocate for District 4 and deliver the funding needed for infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and quality-of-life improvements.
What do you feel are Osceola County’s three most pressing problems and give a brief explanation of how you’d advocate they’d be solved:
Rapid population growth: For a fast-growing community like St. Cloud or other parts of Osceola County, our biggest tools are infrastructure concurrency, impact fees, strategic zoning, and phased development approvals. These allow us to maintain quality of life while still accommodating population growth. Infrastructure is a must and needs to remain our top priority.
Massive traffic congestion: Often our biggest gains come from synchronizing signals on major corridors; Building additional east-west and north-south connections to reduce reliance on a few major roads; Coordinating development approvals with transportation capacity; Securing state and federal transportation funding; Expanding regional transit connections.
Flooding and storm water run-off: Stormwater management requires a proactive approach. We must invest in modern drainage infrastructure, protect wetlands, require responsible development practices, and maintain our stormwater systems to ensure existing residents are not burdened by the impacts of rapid growth. By planning and securing state and federal funding, we can improve public safety, protect property values, and build a more resilient community.
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? Our crisis starts with housing but it affects every aspect of daily life — insurance costs, utility bills, transportation, childcare. According to polling, many working families can no longer afford to live in the communities they serve.
My approach focuses on improving infrastructure and reducing the hidden costs that drive up living expenses. We must encourage the development of workforce and attainable housing for teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and young families. Local governments should streamline permitting, reduce unnecessary regulatory delays, and partner with the private sector for affordability while maintaining community standards.
Second, we need to invest in infrastructure before growth occurs. When roads, utilities, and public services lag development, taxpayers end up paying more in the long run. Smart growth planning helps keep costs down and protects quality of life.
Third, we must advocate at the state level for solutions to rising property insurance costs, which have become one of the biggest housing expense drivers in Osceola County. Homeowners and renters alike are feeling the impact of these increases.
Finally, economic development must focus on attracting high-wage jobs and supporting local businesses. Affordability is not only about lowering costs, but also about creating opportunities for residents to earn higher incomes and build financial security. My goal is to ensure that people who work in our community can also afford to live in our community.
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position: Yes.
I support less taxes and less government. I believe property taxes make homeowners continue paying the government every year, just to keep property they already purchased.
Property values have risen dramatically across Osceola County, causing tax bills to increase even when residents’ incomes have not. Eliminating property taxes could help seniors, retirees, and long-time residents stay in their homes. Lowering or eliminating property taxes could reduce monthly housing costs and make Osceola more affordable for families. Osceola County already benefits from having no state income tax. Eliminating property taxes could make the state even more attractive to retirees, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking to relocate.