Central Florida primary election guide: Who is running?

This is what’s left of what was advertised as an explosion proof bag. *** lithium ion battery was inside the bag when it blew up, ultimately damaging *** building. So now that everything we touched seems to have one of these batteries, West’s Lindsay Sublon wanted to know if there is anything that can protect you from them. Lindsay, the short answer for that is no, there is not, but there are definitely habits that we all need to change to protect our homes and more importantly, our families. Boom boom boom boom, just blowing up and I just all I can do is just grab my daughter, grab everyone and try and get out. I had to open the back patio door and lure everyone out. That mother and son shaking up after their hoverboard exploded in their Palm Coast home. That was back in 2018, and items with lithium ion batteries have only increased. So these fires again burn super hot, super fast, so they go from the battery is swollen and intact to over 22,500 degrees and they burn. He perspective, at 130 degrees, *** pot of hot water would burn you. *** fire that’s engulfed *** room is around 1800 degrees. This one is swollen. That’s why as these batteries become more common, Lieutenant Tom Mirasola says the Seminole County Fire Department is adapting. So we’re still working on how to handle that situation where the batteries are damaged. We obviously don’t want to leave them inside the home where they could reignite the fire. For now, this 30 gallon drum holds batteries that have. Fire, which they monitor for 30 days for electric vehicles. We invested in some fire blankets here in Seminole County. *** lot of people have the misconception that we will put out fires with them. We just use them to control the fire until we can figure out exactly how we’re going to mitigate the situation. We’ll plug this into the outlet, but what about explosion proof bags? They look like *** cooler meant to hold batteries. *** Michigan Fire Department posted these pictures online saying an e-bike battery was in the bag and blew it apart. They posted the bag did nothing to stop the fire. Generally speaking, anything that says it is explosion proof, do you think we can rely on that? It’s hard to duplicate those tests. So same thing with the bags. It’s hard for us to actually test it to see if that’s the case, but he says. Do have *** purpose. My son has remote control cars and we actually charge them inside the bags in case we were to smell something, notice any sort of swelling in the batteries, and if I was to notice that, I would immediately just take the bag outside. I point out all these measures this firefighter and the department are taking to stress we must change our habits at home. Since Seminole County Fire started tracking lithium-ion battery fires in April of 2024 to last December, the department responded to 20 incidents, about one *** month. You see the breakdown, seven were EVs, the rest various items we all use. To reduce your risk, use the right charger block for all your devices. So those blocks are rated specific to your device. Uh, laptops are the same. If you try to charge *** laptop with something lower, it’s not getting the right amount of energy, can damage the cells. Replace phone batteries with the manufacturer. Unplug devices once they’re fully charged, and just think before you act. Recently, *** woman stopped at the fire station with the popular. *** ringing stuck on her finger and our hazmat team, the guys that showed up, did *** great job identifying exactly where the battery was, so they’re able to mark it, cut around it, but if that was to get ruptured, it could cause severe burns to your finger. And once your device is dead, don’t throw it in your trash. Make sure you’re taking it to your county’s transfer station so it doesn’t start *** fire in the dump truck. I know that aura ring caught your attention. Mine too, because they’re everywhere nowadays, and it’s on your hand. So you know, in an instant moment we wear batteries. Is there anything that you can be told to know if your battery is on the fritz or not ahead of time before you can avoid this? I asked the firefighters the same thing. This one kind of freaked me out. Has the back of your phone or laptop ever felt hot before? I mean, yeah, when you charge it too long, yeah, that is *** sign that the batteries could be swelling and you need to make sure you cool it off immediately because if they swell, they could eventually explode. Helpful tips as we head into the future of all these batteries. Lindsay, thank you.

Deadlines, sample ballots, candidates and more | Central Florida primary election guide

Updated: 7:21 PM EDT Jul 16, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Florida’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 18, ahead of the November midterm.

Your choices in this primary will determine who goes on that next ballot. After the primary election, it’ll be another 11 weeks until the general election on Nov. 3.

Keep in mind, too, that Florida is a closed primary election state. This means that only voters whom are registered members of a political party may vote for candidates or nominees of said party, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Exceptions to this include:

When all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election won’t face opposition in the general election.When races for nonpartisan judicial and school board offices, nonpartisan special districts, or local referendum questions are on the primary election ballot.

Stay informed on who’s on your ballot, as well as how, when, and where to vote, with the information provided below.

>> Scroll down for debates between candidates, links to sample ballots, and more.

ELECTION RESOURCES | ID REQUIREMENTS | ELECTION QUESTIONS ANSWERED | VOTE BY MAIL RULES

Names therein comprise only of candidates in WESH 2’s DMA and are listed alphabetically.

Uncontested races will not be included.

Key dates:Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to UOCAVA voters: July 4Deadline to send vote-by-mail ballots to domestic voters: July 9 – 16
Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation: July 20Deadline to request that a ballot be mailed: Aug. 6 Early voting period (mandatory period): Aug. 8-15 Primary election day: Aug. 18

Candidates:

R = Republican; D = Democrat; NPA = No party affiliation; WRI = Write-in; LPF = Libertarian Party of Florida

GovernorU.S. SenateU.S. House of Representatives

District 6

>>Watch below: Florida’s 6th congressional district Republican primary debate

District 7

>>Watch below: Florida’s 7th congressional district Republican primary debate

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website Jennifer Jenkins | D (unopposed) | Website

District 9

District 11

>>Watch below: Florida’s 11th congressional district Republican primary debate

District 12

District 18

District 8

District 10

District 12

Brian Nathan | R (unopposed) | Website Alfred Reynolds | D (unopposed) | Website State House

District 24

District 25

District 26

Nan Cobb (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website Robyn Elaine Lawrence | D (unopposed) | Website

District 27

Andy Ferrari | D (unopposed) | Website Richard Gentry (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website

District 28

District 29

Webster Barnaby (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | WebsiteDon Kanfer | D (unopposed) | Website

District 30

Edwin Munoz | D (unopposed) | Website Chase Tramont (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website

District 31

District 32

District 33

Daniel R. McDow | D (unopposed) | Website Monique Miller (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website

District 34

District 35

Erika Booth (incumbent) | R (unopposed) | Website Eric Gray | D (unopposed) | Website

District 36

District 37

District 38

District 39

District 40

Nate Robertson | R (unopposed) | Website RaShon Young (incumbent) | D (unopposed) | Website

District 42

Bonnie Jackson | R (unopposed) | Website Felipe Sousa Lazaballet | D (unopposed) | Website

District 43

District 45

Erin Huntley | R (unopposed) | Website Leonard Spencer (incumbent) | D (unopposed) | Website

District 46

District 47

Attorney generalJose Javier Rodriguez | D | WebsiteJames Uthmeier (incumbent) | R | WebsiteChief financial officerCommissioner of agricultureCounty sample ballots:

To register or modify your information online, visit your county’s website below:

Brevard

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Titusville Elections Office | 400 South Street, Titusville, FL 32780 Titusville Public Library | 2121 S Hopkins Ave., Titusville, FL 32780 Kiwanis Island Park Gymnasium | 950 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island, FL 32952 Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center | 415 Stone Street, Cocoa, FL 32922 Wickham Park Community Center | 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne, FL 32935 Viera Regional Community Center | 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940 Scotty Culp Municipal Complex | 565 Cassia Blvd., Satellite Beach, FL 32937 Max K. Rodes Park Community Center | 3410 Flanagan Ave., West Melbourne, FL 32904 Tony Rosa Palm Bay Community Center | 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905 Ted Whitlock Community Center | 370 Championship Circle NW, Palm Bay, FL 32907

>>Video below: Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic answers voting questions

Flagler

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office | 1769 E Moody Blvd., Building 2, Suite 101, Bunnell, FL 32110 Flagler County Public Library | 2500 Palm Coast Pkwy. NW, Palm Coast, FL 32137 Palm Coast Community Center | 305 Palm Coast Pkwy. NE, Palm Coast, FL 32137 Southern Recreation Center | 1290 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast, FL 32164 Wickline Senior Center | 700 S Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Lake

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 6 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Cagan Crossings Library | 16729 Cagan Oaks, Clermont, FL 34714 Clermont Arts and Recreation Center | 3700 S Hwy. 27, Clermont, FL 34711 Cooper Memorial Library | 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, FL 34711 Eustis Service Center | 301 W Ward Ave., Eustis, FL 32726 Lady Lake Community Building | 237 W Guava Street, Lady Lake, FL 32159 Lake County Agricultural Center | 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778 Minneola City Hall | 800 N US Hwy. 27, Minneola, FL 34715 Sorrento Church of God | 31605 Orange Street, Sorrento, FL 32776-8137 Southside Umatilla Community Center | 17107 Ball Park Road, Umatilla, FL 32784 Supervisor of Elections Office | 1898 E Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778 Venetian Center | 1 Dozier Circle, Leesburg, FL 34748 W.T. Bland Public Library | 1995 N Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757

>>Video below: Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays answers voting questions

Marion

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Marion County Election Center | 981 NE 16th Street, Ocala, FL 34470 Belleview Public Library | 13145 SE Hwy. 484, Belleview, FL 34420 Deputy Brian Litz Building | 9048 SW Hwy. 200, Ocala, FL 34481 Dunnellon Public Library | 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon, FL 34431 Forest Public Library | 905 S Hwy. 314A, Ocklawaha, FL 32179 Freedom Public Library | 5870 SW 95th Street, Ocala, FL 34476 Mulberry Center (Liberty Rim) | 8445 SE 165th Mulberry Lane, The Villages, FL 32162 Reddick Community Center | 4345 NW 152nd Street, Reddick, FL 32686 Silver Springs Shores Community Center | 590 Silver Road, Ocala, FL 34472 Orange

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 3 – Aug. 16

Early voting hours:

Every day 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Alafaya Library | 12000 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826Apopka Community Center | 519 S Central Ave., Apopka, FL 32703Bithlo Community Center | 18501 Washington Ave., Orlando, FL 32820Chickasaw Library | 870 N Chickasaw Trail, Orlando, FL 32825Fairview Shores Library | 902 Lee Road, Suite 26, Orlando, FL 32810Hiawassee Library | 7391 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32818Holden Heights Community Center | 1201 20th Street, Orlando, FL 32805John H. Bridges Community Center | 445 W 13th Street, Apopka, FL 32703Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex | 99 E Marks Street, Orlando, FL 32803Meadow Woods Recreation Center | 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32824Northwest Neighborhood Center | 3955 W D Judge Drive, Orlando, FL 32808Orange County National Golf Center | 16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787Orange County Supervisor of Elections | 119 W Kaley Street, Orlando, FL 32806Renaissance Senior Center | 3800 S Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32829South Creek Library | 1702 Deerfield Blvd., Orlando, FL 32837Southeast Library | 5575 S Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822South Trail Library | 4600 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32839Southwest Library | 7255 Della Drive, Orlando, FL 32819Taft Community Center | 9450 S Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32824Tibet-Butler Preserve | 8777 County Road 535, Orlando, FL 32836Town of Eatonville Town Hall | 307 E Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville, FL 32751UCF Puerto Rico Research Hub at The Barbara Ying Center | 12815 Scholarship Drive, Orlando, FL 32816Valencia College Lake Nona Campus | 12350 Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32838Washington Park Library | 5151 Raleigh Street Suite A, Orlando, FL 32811West Oaks Library | 1821 E Silver Star Road, Ocoee, FL 34761Winter Garden Library | 805 E Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787Winter Park Library | 1052 W Morse Blvd., Winter Park, FL 32789

>>Watch below: Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel answers voting questions

Osceola

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Supervisor of Elections Office | 2509 E Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL 34744 West Osceola Branch Library (Celebration) | 305 Campus Street, Celebration, FL 34747 Robert Guevara Community Center | 501 Florida Pkwy., Kissimmee, FL 34743 St. Cloud Civic Center | 3001 17th Street, St. Cloud, FL 34769 Hart Memorial Central Library | 211 E Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, FL 34741 The Gym & Aquatic Center | 625 Country Club Drive, Poinciana, FL 34759 Narcoossee Community Center | 5354 Rambling Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 Tax Collector (Campbell City Branch) | 4730 S Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34746 Osceola Welcome Center | 4155 W Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741 Transportation East Facility | 5750 Nova Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 West Fire/EMS Service Center | 8706 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL 34747

>>Video below: Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington answers voting questions

Seminole

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Supervisor of Elections | 1500 E Airport Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773West Branch Library | 245 N Hunt Club Blvd., Longwood, FL 32779Jean Rhein Central Branch Library | 215 Oxford Road, Casselberry, FL 32707Northwest Branch Library | 580 Green Way Blvd., Lake Mary, FL 32746Oviedo Aquatic Center | 148 Oviedo Blvd., Oviedo, FL 32765East Branch Library | 310 North Division Street, Oviedo, FL 32765North Branch Library | 150 North Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL 32771

>>Video below: Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Any Pennock answers voting questions

Sumter

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Bushnell Community Building | 407 E Belt Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513Villages Sumter County Service Center | 7375 Powell Road, Room 102, Wildwood, FL 34785Laurel Manor Recreation Center | 1985 Laurel Manor Drive, The Villages, FL 32162Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center | 808 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL 32159Allamanda Recreation Center | 1515 Saint Charles Place, The Villages, FL 32162Rohan Recreation Center | 850 Kristine Way, The Villages, FL 34785Everglades Recreation Center | 5497 Marsh Bend Trail, The Villages, FL 34785Volusia

Early voting schedule:

Aug. 8 – Aug. 15

Early voting hours:

Every day 8 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Supervisor of Elections Office | 1588 N Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32720 Wayne G Sanborn Center | 815 S Alabama Ave., DeLand, FL 32724 Florence K Little Town Hall | 12 Colomba Road, DeBary, FL 32713 The Center at Deltona | 1640 Dr. M.L.K. Blvd., Deltona, FL 32725 Ormond Beach Regional Library | 30 S Beach Street, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Cherry Cultural & Education Center | 925 George W Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Daytona Beach Regional Library | 105 Jackie Robinson Pkwy., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Lakeside Community Center | 1999 City Center Circle, Port Orange, FL 32129 New Smyrna Beach Regional Library | 1001 S Dixie Fwy., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

>>Watch below: Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis answers voting questions

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