Affordable living in Southwest Florida. Education. Public safety. Clean air and water.
Those are just some of the reasons three Southwest Florida candidates are competing to be the next state representative for Florida House of Representatives District 76.
Two Republicans and one Democrat have qualified to compete for District 76.
Now newcomer Julie Louise McCormack and incumbent Vanessa Oliver — both Republicans — will battle in Florida’s Aug. 18 primary election. Whoever wins will take on Democrat Phillip Ray Carter in the Nov. 3 general election.
Florida House of Representatives District 76 stretches across parts of Lee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, including Arcadia, North Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. Both Babcock Ranch and Herons Glen Golf and Country Club are part of the district.
Here’s more about the three candidates competing to represent District 76:
PHILLIP RAY CARTER (DEMOCRAT)
Age
62
City of residence
North Fort Myers
Why Phillip Ray Carter is running for Florida House District 76
Carter says he wants to “restore some credibility” to politics and how people perceive politicians. He also wants to “create legislation that benefits all of us.”
“I want to be a decent, credible individual who actually enacts some legislation,” he says, “(and who) acts on behalf of the people on the issues that are most important to them.”
His top Southwest Florida issues
Carter says his top three issues are corruption in politics, affordability and education.
On his website, Carter says he wants to find practical solutions to help families handle the rising cost of food, housing and utilities. He wants Florida to manage its growth responsibly to protect the state’s water quality and resources. And he wants public safety to be approached with common sense — “keeping communities safe while respecting constitutional rights.”
His work and political background
Carter is a retired U.S. Air Force security specialist. He later worked as a police patrol officer in Illinois and then as district manager for Michigan-based movie-theater company Goodrich Quality Theaters.
In Florida, he’s a former substitute teacher for the Lee County School District, real-estate agent and project manager for several large contractors for commercial and industrial projects.
He’s been retired since May 2026.
Campaign finances
Carter has raised $2,100 for his campaign as of June 10, according to his filings with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections.
Learn more about Phillip Ray Carter
Find out more about Phillip Ray Carter and his campaign at carter4florida.com
JULIE LOUISE McCORMACK (REPUBLICAN)
Age
27
City of residence
McCormack lives in Belle Glade, where she says her farm, research and conservation activities are based. But she maintains a house on her family’s compound in Punta Gorda and plans to move to Punta Gorda soon to be closer to “my family and my constituents.”
Why Julie Louise McCormack is running for Florida House District 76
“I’m running for District 76 to protect my fellow farmers and ranchers from overdevelopment that threatens our way of life… ” she says, “and (to) ensure that the people in my area have continuous access to clean water, air and the natural resources that we all cherish so much.”
Her top Southwest Florida issues
McCormack says her top three issues are conservation, agriculture and community/family safety.
“I want not only my children, but everyone’s children and grandchildren to be able to grow up in and enjoy for generations to come the Old Florida that I grew up in and we all love,” she says.
Julie Louise McCormack’s work and political background
“I don’t really have a political background,” she says. “I’m a mother, farmer, agricultural and conservation researcher.
“And my goal is to see this great state of ours continue to shine in the unique way that the Sunshine State has for generations: Wholesome, wild, free and safe for our families.”
Campaign finances
McCormack campaign doesn’t show any finances yet as of June 10, according to her filings with Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections.
Learn more about Julie Louise McCormack
Find out more about Julie Louise McCormack and her campaign at mccormackforflorida.com
VANESSA OLIVER (REPUBLICAN)
Age
45
City of residence
Punta Gorda
Why Vanessa Oliver is running for Florida House District 76
“Serving the residents of District 76 for the past two years has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Oliver says. “Together, we have accomplished a great deal.”
Those accomplishments, she says, have included tax relief, investments in infrastructure, stronger schools, protecting the environment, supporting public safety and making sure District 76 gets its “fair share” of state resources.
There’s still a lot of work left to do, though, she says.
“Our communities continue to grow, and we must continue investing in the infrastructure, workforce and quality-of-life initiatives that will keep District 76 strong for generations to come…” she says. “Charlotte County has been home for most of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has given so much to my family and me.”
Her top Southwest Florida issues or priorities
Oliver says her top issues are “a strong economy, keeping our communities safe and ensuring every child has access to an excellent education.”
To do that, she says she wants to continue pursuing policies that “keep Florida affordable and economically competitive” (including more tax relief and jobs) and supporting law enforcement and first responders so residents can “feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and places of work.”
She also wants to make sure every child has “access to excellent schools and opportunities to succeed, whether they choose college, technical training, military service or entering the workforce.”
“Strong schools help create strong communities and a strong economy,” Oliver says. ”These priorities are interconnected. When we have a thriving economy, safe streets and excellent schools, families prosper and communities flourish.”
Vanessa Oliver’s work and political background
Oliver is CEO of healthcare company Ambitrans Ambulance, which she says has more than 300 employees and provides ground-ambulance transportation between facilities in five counties. She’s also a board-certified in health lawyer.
Her background includes service on the Charlotte County Airport Authority — which oversees the Punta Gorda Airport and the surrounding lands— as well as other local and state boards.
Campaign finances
Oliver had raised $138,250 for her campaign as of June 10, according to her filings with Florida Department of State’s Division of Elections.
Learn more about Vanessa Oliver
Find out more about Vanessa Oliver and her campaign at votevanessaoliver.com
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Election 2026: Meet the candidates for Florida’s House District 76
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
