(PENSACOLA, Florida) - Ashlee Hofberger became the District 4 commissioner after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her on Oct. 4, 2024. The seat became vacant after Robert Bender was appointed supervisor of elections in January 2024.
Hofberger won the Republican primary in August 2024 and defeated Democrat Ron Helms in the November 2024 general election, receiving 62.1% of the vote to Helms' 37.9%.
Hofberger, a Republican, faces NPA candidate Joe Vinson in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Hofberger did not face a Republican primary challenger, allowing the two candidates to meet directly on the general election ballot.
Open Governance News (OpGov.News) recently conducted a question-and-answer interview with Hofberger. The following is the interview.
Photo Credit: voteashlee.com/ Ashlee Hofberger Professional Photo
Current Events
OpGov: One of your achievements is being part of the Outlying Field 8 (OLF-8) sale. When can Pensacola expect development on this land to begin? Have there been any proposals about what will be constructed there? What would you consider to be a success with the use of this land?
Hofberger: “Success on this property starts with why the county bought it. OLF-8 was a Navy landing field, and Escambia purchased it for job creation. The vision has evolved, but that purpose has not changed. This is more than 400 acres of contiguous, undeveloped land in Beulah. We get one chance to do it right.
“To me, success means three things: amenities that serve Beulah residents, infrastructure that can support growth, and high-wage jobs for the broader community. The current structure keeps a large employment district under county influence for that reason. This is a generational project, not a quick sale, and I believe we have the partner and framework to get it right.”
Photo Credit: NorthEscambia.com/ OLF-8 Site In Beulah, Pensacola, Florida
OpGov: The Bob Sikes Toll Plaza will begin to be demolished in October 2026. Isn’t it more expensive to keep the toll than it would be to abolish it?
Hofberger: “The new plaza is not about adding a fee. The fee already exists. This project replaces equipment that can no longer be maintained and improves traffic flow, emergency access, and signal control.
“The larger issue is the bridge itself. Within about 15 years, we are looking at replacement or major reconstruction estimated at more than $375 million. The toll is the dedicated revenue source for that work. Removing it now would shift that cost onto the general taxpayer.
“The fiber and camera system also matters. Today, an intersection serving the beach is still being managed in a very manual way. Connecting that corridor to the new traffic management center should reduce delays and improve safety.
“The bridge is not fully paid off, and the toll has funded major maintenance specific to that crossing. State law also allows those dollars to support infrastructure tied to the bridge. That is why some revenue has gone to related roadway work, including projects like Via de Luna.
“The traffic problem is real. If people spend an hour trying to get on or off the beach, access is not truly available. Using toll revenue to fix the roads and signals that serve that crossing is consistent with the purpose of the toll.
“I also want residents to know the current plaza equipment is so old we cannot get replacement parts. We have had a lane down since 2023 for that reason. That is not acceptable.”
Photo Credit: Tony Giberson/Pensacola News Journal/Construction of the New Toll Plaza in Pensacola Beach, Florida.
OpGov: Your leadership philosophy is to lead with candor and kindness. On Sept. 10, 2026, during the budget hearing, you were overtalked and drowned out while speaking by Commissioners Kohler and May. You remained professional and continued, but their interruptions resulted in no real discussion about the budget. Do you think they use your leadership philosophy against you to get their points across, even if it means becoming unprofessional?
Hofberger: “I cannot control how other people behave. I can control how I respond. I choose to stay professional and firm. Kindness is not weakness. Candor means saying what needs to be said, even when the room gets loud.
“What disappointed me most that day was not the interruption. It was that the public lost a real budget conversation. District 4 deserves a board that debates the issues, not one that talks over them.”
OpGov: On your website, you state that you have pushed for government efficiency. What do you consider to be an efficient government, and how have you made the Pensacola government more efficient?
Hofberger: “I come from small business. If you waste resources, you fail. Government should work the same way: Do more with what we have, cut outdated processes, and put money where it improves service.
“An efficient government reviews its own structure, pays competitively so it can keep good people, and automates work that does not need extra staff. In February 2026, I moved for a countywide efficiency study covering policies, department structure, and compensation. That motion did not get the support it needed, but the goal remains the same.
“I have also pushed for smarter use of grant dollars, especially around affordable housing, so the same funding reaches more families. Efficiency is not just cutting. It is making every tax dollar produce a better result.”
On Her Opponent, Joe Vinson
OpGov: Your opponent, Joe Vinson, is running as an NPA. Do you agree with Joe Vinson’s philosophy? If Joe Vinson is elected, do you feel he will be able to work in a bipartisan manner?
Hofberger: “Party registration is personal. I respect people who choose a party and people who remain NPA. What matters is the set of values they govern by.
“I am a Republican because I am pro-life, I believe in limited government, and I believe in lower taxes. I believe people should be able to work hard, keep more of what they earn, and build a life without government standing in the way of their business, their paycheck or their healthcare.
“Bipartisanship is not the absence of a party label. It is the ability to make sound decisions, tell people the truth, and put the community first. That is the standard I use for myself, and it is the standard I would use for anyone on the board.”
OpGov: Joe Vinson calls himself a “political wonk.” What type of leadership do you feel District 4 needs?
Hofberger: “District 4 does not need someone lost in process for its own sake. It needs a leader who understands the community, knows how to run an operation, and can explain decisions in plain language.
“People want an efficient government. They want to feel safe at home, in a park and on their street. They want to get to work without sitting in gridlock. They want honesty, even when the news is not popular.
“I believe in data. I also believe numbers only matter if they turn into better service. Leadership in District 4 means knowing the details and still staying connected to the people living with the results.”
OpGov: Joe Vinson spoke to OpGov News in June. How can you assure voters that you will fight to prevent essential services from being cut in future budget talks?
Hofberger: “If property tax reform passes, the next budget will be tighter. That is exactly when you need someone who will protect first responders.
“I have said publicly that we should not say no to public safety. Since I took office, we have strengthened EMS, moved firefighters above minimum wage, and made major investments in law enforcement. When someone calls 911, help must be available and capable of responding. That is the first job of local government.
“I define essential services as public safety and infrastructure: the things residents cannot do for themselves. Other programs may be well-intended, but I do not believe property tax dollars should be used to pay utilities, mortgages, or car notes. People living paycheck to paycheck should not be funding that. If revenues shrink, those distinctions matter even more.”
OpGov: Joe Vinson stated that the bedrock and the primary inspiration for this campaign is family. What is your bedrock and inspiration for running for another term?
Hofberger: “My inspiration is my daughter, Layla. In 2024, she had a medical emergency, and it took more than 23 minutes for an ambulance to reach us. I was terrified. I did not know what was wrong with my child. No parent should feel that helpless.
“That is why I ran, and that is why I am running again. Since I took office, we have added 23 ambulances, added a mid-shift of paramedics and EMTs, partnered with local hospitals for better patient care, and moved forward on four new fire stations.
“A neighboring county is using technology that can cut response times by about 20%. I have already worked with FDOT on funding for our area, and I want that project completed.”
Photo Credit: Ashlee Hofberger/ Meeting with EMS Personnel
At the end of the question-and-answer session, Hofberger was asked if she had any additional comments she would like to make to voters in District 4.
Hofberger said:
“In 2024, I ran on three promises: More resources for first responders, a more efficient government, and less waste, fraud, and abuse. We have made real progress on public safety. We are pushing the county toward better operations. And I have worked with the Clerk’s Office, the watchdog over your tax dollars, to keep spending accountable.
“Those votes have not always been popular. I have been the lone vote on a 4-1 board. I cast them anyway because that is what I told this community I would do and what I believe is right.
“I have not done everything perfectly, but I have done my best, and I have kept the commitments I made. I am asking for your vote so I can continue that work.”
The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. OpGov.News will report on the outcome of the race.
Voters are encouraged to participate in the election. Local races, including county commission and city council contests, can have a direct impact on residents and their communities.
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