Leon County, Florida Primary Ballot Blog (Republican Party)
Don't forget to vote August 18, 2026
This is my take and observations on the candidates on my ballot. I include links where I can but really this is an exercise to help ME decide who to vote for. Hope it helps those others out there researching.
ivoter guide - simple non-partisan summary based on your zip code (make sure you click the 2026 general election button on the right.
The Tallahassee Democrat Guide is OK but you can only view it a couple of times before they make you pay for it, and as their name implies they are biased towards Democrats.
United States Senator - Ashley Moody is the clear front runner with already being a senator and her experience.
Chris Gleason - Army veteran and forensic investigator. Strong emphasis on election integrity (since he was directly involved in uncovering election fraud). Anti-establishment candidate. Strong candidate but does not have the name recognition or background needed to win in the general.
Ashley Moody - (my pick) Current member of the US Senate (appointed to fill Rubio's seat on January 2025). Former Florida Attorney General. I think she has done a pretty good job in the senate. She has not had a lot of time as a Senator, but did a good job as Attorney General.
Neelam Taneja Perry - According to her campaign website she is a "physician, author, and advocate for truth and accountability in government. I found her campaign website less polished than some of the other candidates, including several links that appeared not to work. Not likely to be a good candidate in the General election.
US Congress District 2 - Listen to the debate HERE (no video available). as of 8-13-26 Austin Rogers is up by 72% on Polymarket. My pick is Luke but Austin is a close 2nd.
Keith Gross - Attorney /business lawyer. National Guard for 2 years. Owns his own law firm. Ran as a Democrat in 2008 and 2010 for the Georgia legislature. So that's a no for me Dog.
Nick Lewis -. <1% on Polymarket
Luke Murphy - (my pick) - Endorsed by Peter Schweizer. Former Army Staff Sergeant. Works as realtor and Veteran support group.
Jim Norton - Gulf County Superintendent of Schools, previous career in banking.
Evan Power - Current Chairman of the Florida Republican Party. A good communicator. Former chairman of Leon County Republican Party.
Austin Rogers - a lawyer and former Congressional staffer who served as general counsel for Senator Rick Scott. (my second pick)
Audie Rowell - < 1% on Polymarket.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor - Byron Donalds probably has this wrapped up. Currently 99% winning on Polymarket. There is a debate without Donalds you can watch HERE. You can watch Byron Donalds speak and answer questions HERE at (6:30).
Jay Collins - Former Green Beret, Served in the Florida Senate since 2022. Lieutenant Governor since August 2025. Solid debater, strong conservative.
Byron Donalds - (my pick) Florida Congressman since 2020 (19th District). I wish he would have been in more debates with the other candidates. He is intelligent and well spoken.
James Fishback - Unconventional conservative has said a few concerning things in public, such has wanting to fire all H-1B visa holders.
Jim Holcomb - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Arthur Joseph McCaffrey - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Daniel Nokovich - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Paul Renner - Former speaker of the house during the 2022-24 term (got along well with DeSantis). Member of Florida House from 2015-24. Former state prosecutor
Rachel Rodriquez - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
James W. Shaw - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Caneste Succe - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Bobby Williams - Less than 5% in multiple polls, not really competitive.
Chief Financial Officer -
Frank William Collige - Air Force veteran, businessman, insurance industry professional.
Blaise Ingoglia - (my pick) Incumbent, currently CFO. Former state representative/state senator. I think he has done a good job. Listened to multiple interviews with him.
Commissioner of Agriculture -
Wilton Simpson - (my pick) The current Commissioner of Agriculture, I haven't heard any negative press, that would lead me to want to change.
Matt Taylor - Large social media influencer. Makes some good points but I do not think he has the experience for this job.
State Representative District 9 - Whoever wins this will probably lose to Allison Tant (Democrat).
Jibri Knight - (my reluctant pick). Insurance agent from Tallahassee, not a lot of information on him.
Tracy Robinson - .No political experience, model and police academy graduate, but not much work experience.
Stephanie A. Cager - Her current position is Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs for Children's Home Society of Florida. Previously, she served as Deputy General Counsel/Chief Legal Counsel for the Florida Department of Health. Emphasized trauma-informed care versus interpreting law as written.
Jason Jones - (my pick) County judge since 2020, circuit judge since 2025. former General Counsel for FDLE. Appointed to bench by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Emphasized interpreting law as written.
Circuit Judge, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Group 13
Rashad Green - Former Assistant State Attorney, defense and Prosecution. Endorsed by the Leon County Democratic Party.
J. Lee Marsh - (my pick) - Current Circuit Judge, appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. Definitely more conservative than Rashad Green.
School Board Member, District 5
Watch the debate HERE.
Marcus Nicolas - Incumbent. A lot of experience with education. Supports upcoming property Tax increase for schools. Sees Charter and Private schools as unfairly competing.
James Reilly - (my pick) No real education experience but wants to cut administrative costs. Wife works for school board. Does not support upcoming property tax increase. Seemed knowledgeable in the debate.
Mayor
Anyone but Matlow, The debate can be watched HERE. Close pick between Ausley and Parks.
Loranne Ausley - (my pick) I don't even like Loranne but she is way better than Matlow .
Michael Shawn Foust - Slightly more conservative than the other 3 but not likely to beat Matlow.
Jeremy Matlow - NO NO NO. a progressive Democrat with strong ties to the DSA, He has been a constant enemy of the current Mayor John Dailey.
Daryl D. Parks - Managing partner of Parks & Crump. He does not seem as leftist as others but I can't vote for someone associated with Crump.
City Commissioner, Seat 3 - There are no great picks here. All "Democrats" or NPA. Close pick between Derzypolski and Roche.
The debate can be watched HERE
Darryl "Dar Wavemaker" Alfred - Rideshare driver, hard worker, reasonable person but not enough life experience.
Tom Derzypolski - Former Navy medic. Current president of BowStern Marketing Communications. Somewhat conservative. (my second choice)
Talethia O. Edwards - Lifetime Democrat and typical progressive.
Maxwell "Max" Herrle - Very out there..., spends much of the debate in the semi-lotus position.
P.J. Perez - Very progressive endorsed by Jeremy Matlow. Definite No.
Norm Roche (my pick) - Former Pinellas County Commissioner (2010-2014). Pro-growth. Seems like a reasonable person, once registered as Republican .
City Commissioner, Seat 5
These are all left leaning but Dianne is by far the most reasonable. The debate can be watched HERE
Tifany Hill - Retired Veterans Health employee, editor/publisher of Women's Veteran's Magazine, Very Progressive
Dot Inman-Johnson - Former City Commissioner and 2 term Mayor in Tallahassee. Served on National Superfund Advisory committee. Serves on a ton of boards and environmental committees. Lots of experience. Very left of center.
Dianne Williams Cox- (my reluctant pick) A Democrat, but a reasonable one. Often votes with Mayor Dailey on the occasions that they are voting against something Jeremy Matlow supports.
