As proof that showing up is half the battle, 30 Escambia and Santa Rosa candidates who had no opponent file in their race were automatically elected when the Florida qualifying period ended on June 12.
While many of the candidates were in small hyperlocal races, a Pensacola City Council member, Santa Rosa Island Authority board member and 10 judges were among the high profile races that didn’t have a challenger.
Here’s a look at the newly elected positions following qualifying last week (*indicates incumbent):
What candidates were automatically elected in Escambia County:
Santa Rosa Island Authority
County Court Judge Group 2
Pensacola:
City Council District 6
Century:
Town Council Seat 3
Town Council Seat 4
Town Council Seat 5
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District Group 1
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District Group 3
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District Group 5
Santa Rosa County:
County Court Judge
Midway Fire District Seat 2
Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire District Seat 1
Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire District Seat 3
Avalon Beach-Mulat Fire District Seat 5
Pace Fire Rescue District Seat 2
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District Seat 1
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District Seat 3
Holley-Navarre Fire District Seat 5
Midway Fire District Seat 4
Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation Group 1
Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation Group 3
Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation Group 5
First Judicial Circuit Court Judges:
Who will be on the 2026 Primary ballot?
In addition to the candidates automatically elected, Florida’s 2026 election ballot is set with the end of qualifying week on June 12.
Voters will go to the polls on Aug. 18 to decide party primaries as well as county school board seats.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender told the News Journal his office is making an effort to get the word out this year that all voters in Escambia County will have something to vote on even if they are not registered in any party.
Under Florida law, school boards have elections during the August primary, even if there are only two candidates in the race.
Additionally, all Escambia County voters who participate in the Aug. 18 election will decide whether Escambia schools continue under an appointed superintendent or revert to an elected superintendent.
Here’s who will be on the ballot for Escambia and Santa Rosa County voters:
Aug. 18 Election
Republican primary
Both counties:
U.S. House Congressional District 1
State House District 2
Escambia County Republican Primary:
Commission District 2
There are no Escambia or Santa Rosa County Democratic Primary contested races.
Santa Rosa County Republican Primary:
Commission District 2
Commission District 4
Non-partisan races on the Aug. 18 ballot
Pensacola:
Mayor
Escambia County:
School Board District 1
School Board District 2
School Board District 3
Escambia School Superintendent Referendum
All Escambia County voters will be able to vote on the Aug. 18 referendum on whether the school district should continue with an appointed superintendent or switch back to an elected one.
Santa Rosa County:
School Board District 1
School Board District 3
School Board District 5
Here’s how the general election ballot is shaping up for local candidates based on who qualified on June 12:
Nov. 4 General Election
Both counties:
U.S. House Congressional District 1
State House District 2
Escambia County:
State House District 1
Commission District 2
Commission District 4
ECUA District 2
ECUA District 4
Pensacola:
City Council District 2
City Council District 4
Santa Rosa County:
State House District 3
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District Seat 5
Holley-Navarre Fire District Seat 3
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 30 local candidates were just elected without a single vote cast
Reporting by Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
