Election Official Warns Voters Against Florida Governor Race Overvotes
August 16, 2026
One race on primary ballots across the state is causing some confusion among voters.
Both the Democratic and Republican ballots say “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for One).”
Some voters are marking two choices, perhaps thinking one is for governor and the second is for lieutenant governor.
On the Democratic ballot, only David Jolly has picked a running mate for lieutenant governor, with Gwen Graham indented and listed under Jolly’s name. On the Republican ballot, there are no candidates named and listed for lieutenant governor.
If voters choose two on either ballot, it’s an “overvote,” and voting machines will alert on the error. Voters will be able to fill out a new ballot, or let it stand in which case the double vote for governor will not be counted but other races on the ballot will.
“We had about one or two per early voting site on the first day,” Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said. Those voters were able to choose a replacement ballot. “The problem lies with the vote-by-mail ballots that will be marked as an overvote.”
Bender said voters should be aware that only one vote should be cast for the races labeled “Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Vote for One).” And he said that he does not believe it will be a big problem.
Sample ballot image.
It’s Not Yet Election Day, But Three Century Town Council Races Are Already Decided
August 16, 2026
Primary election day is not until Tuesday, but three Century Town Council members have already won reelection.
When qualifying for candidates for the municipal election cycle ended in June 2026, three incumbents were the only ones to qualify for three seats.
With no opposition, three Century Town Council members were automatically deemed elected to the nonpartisan seats.
- Seat 3: Incumbent Shelisa Abraham. She was first appointed as an interim council member in January 2023 and elected during a 2023 special election.
- Seat 4: Incumbent John Bass. He first won the election for a term that began in January 2025 after Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor.
- Seat 5: Incumbent Sparkie Harrison. She was first elected without opposition in June 2025 to fill a seat left vacant after the resignation of Sandra McMurray-Jackson.
All three will be sworn in for their new four-year terms in January 2027.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekly Roundup: Primary Home Stretch
August 16, 2026
Florida Weekly Roundup is a look back at last week in a Florida politics and government.
Candidates in Tuesday’s primary elections spent the final week getting out their message, as many voters have already cast their ballots.
Nearly 1.5 million Floridians have voted by mail or through in-person early voting.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS
It’s no surprise Republican voters, with nearly a 1.6 million registration advantage over the Democrats, have been more active in the primary, at least when it comes to those already filling out ballots.
There are scrambles for Congressional districts that were rewritten by the Legislature to bolster the number of Republican-held seats, primaries on both sides of the aisle for U.S. Senate and the Cabinet offices of agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer.
At least 16 state House incumbents are facing primary challengers. The focus of the state Senate primaries has been Senate District 16 between House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, and Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, where the winner takes the seat.
The big-ticket item for Tuesday’s contest is the Republican gubernatorial primary, which long ago was tilted by President Donald Trump towards U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples.
The endorsement didn’t deter the other 10 Republicans on the ballot, including Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner and conservative activist James Fishback.
But it has helped Donalds’ campaign account collect more than $11.5 million, while Renner, Collins and Fishback are all under $600,000.
Term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t made an endorsement, but recently said Renner could “be really good” as governor.
DeSantis had previously said Renner’s entry into the contest was “ill-advised.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, the former governor who hasn’t been on the best terms with DeSantis, campaigned with Donalds in Wauchula on Thursday, retorting that when he ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate DeSantis “didn’t endorse me and I did fine in ‘24.”
On the Democratic side in the gubernatorial race, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a converted Democrat, is the frontrunner in a field of six that includes state Rep. Dotie Joseph of Miami. Joseph jumped into the contest after former Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings dropped out on the eve of qualifying due to health concerns.
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate sees state Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville progressive, taking on retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, who became a national figure as a key witness in Trump’s first impeachment. Most of his messaging has been directed as U.S. Ashley Moody, the Tampa Republican appointed to the office last year by DeSantis, who has three primary challengers.
CREATING AIR TRAFFIC
DeSantis announced that testing on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will be underway by the end of the year at the SunTrax test facility in Polk County.
“We believe that you’re going to see major breakthroughs in this technology in the coming years,” DeSantis said.
Earlier this year, DeSantis signed legislation (HB 1093) allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to fund 100 percent of the project costs for a public vertiport if federal funds are unavailable. If federal funds are available, FDOT may fund up to 80 percent of the nonfederal share.
Vertiports are expected to serve as hubs for short aerial commutes by the battery-powered aircraft that have characteristics of airplanes and helicopters.
DeSantis also signed a wide-ranging transportation package in 2025 requiring the transportation department to develop a plan for advanced air mobility with the Department of Commerce. The law also required advances in aviation technology to be included in the annual transportation work program.
STORY OF THE WEEK:
With nearly 1.5 million Floridians already participating, the 2026 primary cycle reaches its final days.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I have not endorsed Cory Mills and I do not support Cory Mills.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis when asked Friday about Florida’s Congressional District 7 contest that involved incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from New Smyrna Beach who is subject to an active House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance breaches.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Win Fifth Straight Over Biloxi
August 16, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos stayed hot on Saturday night, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 7-3 for their fifth win in a row.
Jacob Kisting (W, 2-0) continued to impress on the mound, allowing just one earned run over 5.0 solid innings to earn his second win in as many starts since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Blue Wahoos struck back in the second inning against Biloxi’s Bishop Letson (L, 5-6) thanks to three hits and a pair of errors. Connor Caskenette tied the game with an RBI single, and then scored from first when Colby Shade’s RBI single was misplayed by Shuckers right fielder Damon Keith.
Another Biloxi error from shortstop Jesús Made netted a Pensacola run in the third inning, and the Blue Wahoos created more distance in the fifth inning against reliever Travis Smith. Brandon Compton hit an RBI double to score Juan Matheus from first base, and Fenwick Trimble launched a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-2. Trimble was 2-for-4 in his first game since missing nearly a month to injury.
Effective relief from Logan Whitaker, Gabe Bierman and Nigel Belgrave sealed a 7-3 win, tying Pensacola’s longest winning streak of the season at five games. It also marked a low point for the Shuckers, who have now lost 10 games in a row dating back to August 5.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos gained ground in the race for the second half South Division title and are now 4.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 25 games remaining in the regular season.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Shuckers on Sunday, searching for their first six-game series sweep since September 2023.
written by Erik Bremer
All West Florida Library Book Drops Closed Until After August 18 Election
August 15, 2026
All West Florida Libraries book drops are closed until after the August 18 primary election.
Materials can be returned to the service desk at any WFPL branch.
The book drops are closed to avoid confusion and voters attempting to return vote-by-mail ballots. Some of the libraries serve as either early voting or precinct locations.
Pictured: The book drop outside the Century Library. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With Murder At Escambia County Apartment
August 15, 2026
A 31-year-old man is facing a homicide charge after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate in an Escambia County apartment on Thursday.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded on to an apartment located on Spanish Trail. Upon arrival, they discovered a 37-year-old male deceased from a gunshot wound.
Investigators determined that the victim was shot by his roommate while lying in bed.
Deputies arrested Will Victor Bryant, 31, and charged him with homicide. Authorities stated that a motive has not yet been established, and the case remains an ongoing investigation.
Football Preseason: Tate Edges Pine Forest, Marianna Tops Northview
August 15, 2026
The Friday night lights were on this week for preseason kickoff classics.
Tate 17, Pine Forest 14
In varsity jamboree action, the Tate Aggies defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 17-14 on Friday night in Pete Gindl Stadium. The regular season gets underway next week as the Aggies host the Marianna Bulldogs.
Marianna 30, Northview 14
The Marianna Bulldogs defeated the Northview Chiefs 30-14 on Friday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium. The Chiefs begin the regular season next Thursday night at home against the Rocky Bayou Christian Knights.
Santana’s Doubles Send Wahoos To Fourth Straight Win
August 15, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fourth in a row on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 9-4.
Adrian Santana had his biggest game since joining the Blue Wahoos at the trade deadline, hitting a two-run double in the second inning and a go-ahead, three-run double that proved decisive in the eighth inning.
Brandon Compton gave the Blue Wahoos an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double, but the Shuckers answered back in the bottom half against Pensacola starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr. After loading the bases on a walk, error and single, Matthew Wood hit a grand slam to give Biloxi a 4-1 lead.
Santana’s double in the second inning got the Blue Wahoos back within a run at 4-3, but neither team scored another run through the end of the sixth. Biloxi’s bid for a double steal of home in the fifth inning was foiled when catcher Ryan Ignoffo traded throws with Santana at second base to cut down Dylan O’Rae at the plate.
Three innings of effective relief from Jaydenn Estanista (W, 1-0) kept the game within reach for the Blue Wahoos, who finally tied the game 4-4 in the seventh inning thanks to a two-out RBI single from Juan Matheus. Against reliever Jesús Broca (L, 3-5) in the eighth, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before Santana ambushed the first pitch he saw for a three-run double. Cristian Hernández followed with a double of his own, his fifth in the past three games, to score Santana and extend the lead to 8-4.
Colby Shade added an insurance run in the ninth when he was hit by a pitch, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch. Holt Jones got the final six outs in relief to seal Pensacola’s 9-4 victory.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos remain 3.0 games ahead of the Montgomery Biscuits with 26 games to play in the race for the second half South Division title.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer
Electrical Problem Blamed For Fire That Destroyed Cantonment Guesthouse
August 14, 2026
An electrical problem is blamed for a fire that destroyed a guesthouse in the 2800 block of Stefani Road in Cantonment early Thursday morning, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
ECFR responded to the fire at approximately 3:41 a.m., arriving to find heavy flames showing from the 600-square-foot guesthouse located behind the main residence.
Crews worked quickly to attack the blaze and brought the fire under control before 4 a.m.
No residents or firefighters were injured in the incident, though officials confirmed the structure is considered a total loss.
The Ensley, Cantonment, Belleview and Brent stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the early morning blaze, along with Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighters Working To Help Keep School Zones Safe
August 14, 2026
Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters are continuing safety standbys in school zones across the county.
The trucks are there with emergency lights activated to remind drivers to slow down and keep children safe in school zones.
Pictured: Engine 18 from the Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on Highway 97 in the Molino Park Elementary school zone on Thursday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
