(SANTA ROSA, F.L.) – Voters in Santa Rosa County voted out two incumbent county commissioners Tuesday, clearing the way for a new District 2 race in November and a new representative for District 4.
In District 4, Dean Light defeated incumbent Ray Eddington 51% to 48%. Light now holds the Republican nomination. There are no other candidates on the November ballot for District 4.
In District 2, Jeff Ates won a crowded Republican primary with 26% of the vote. Ates IV defeated incumbent Kerry Smith who received 14% and finished 5th in the 6-person race, along with Jeff Snow, 19%, Renee Johnmeyer, 16%, Erin Nisewonger, 15%, and Ronald Pittman, 7%. Ates will face write-in candidate John Williams in the November general election.
(Photo Credit: DeanLight2026.com)
County commissioners set the county budget, property tax rate, and vote on zoning, roads, and public safety funding. They serve four-year terms.
Dean Light is a small business owner and 26-year military veteran. Light said he is running to bring discipline to county spending and focus on infrastructure and growth.
“As your County Commissioner, I will be your voice; I will fight for your needs,” Light said in his campaign announcement. “Resources entrusted to you must never be wasted. I'll bring that same standard to county government,” Light said. “Listening to residents first, spending your tax dollars responsibly and making sure growth serves our community, rather than straining it.”
Light said he is “not a career politician” and cited concerns that residents’ questions about infrastructure and growth “are not being heard.”
Jeff Ates is a sixth-generation Santa Rosa County resident with a background in land management, infrastructure, and environmental consulting. Ates said his campaign is focused on infrastructure, responsible growth, public safety, environmental stewardship, and accountable government.
(Photo Credit: JeffAtes.com)
“When elected, I will work every day to improve infrastructure, protect our quality of life, and ensure that county government remains responsive to the people it serves,” Ates said.
Ates cited more than three decades working on state and federal highway construction, county roadwork, school projects, stormwater controls, and drainage.
Ray Eddington was first elected to the district 4 seat in November 2022 representing the Holley-Navarre area after defeating the previous incumbent.
Kerry Smith is a local businessman first elected to the district 2 seat in 2022. He received 14% and finished fifth Tuesday.
Light will be on the ballot for Santa Rosa District 2 and Ates will appear on the Ballot on in district 4 on November 3rd.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at pepper.w@lead4earth.org
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