Two candidates have qualified to run in the 2026 election for the Florida House of Representatives District 86 seat in Martin County.
The district includes most of Martin County, including Jensen Beach, Stuart, Hobe Sound and Port Salerno, but does not include Palm City. It also stretches into Palm Beach County to encompass Jupiter.
Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, is the incumbent, having been reelected subsequently since his first election in 2020. He has served as Deputy Majority Leader since 2024. He’s being challenged by Democrat Elizabeth Brendel Pandich.
They will face off in the Nov. 3 general election. Neither has an opponent in the Aug. 18 primary election.
Editor’s note: TCPalm sent all qualifying candidates a questionnaire. Their responses are below.
Election 2026: Find all information for local elections here.
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
John Snyder, Florida House District 86 incumbent
Snyder did not return TCPalm’s election questionnaire.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Elizabeth Brendel Pandich, Florida House District 86 candidate
Jack Lemnus is a TCPalm enterprise reporter. Contact him at jack.lemnus@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1345, or follow him on X @JackLemnus.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida candidates for state House answer 2026 election questions
Reporting by Jack Lemnus, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect


By Jack Lemnus, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
