Florida House District 9 Republican primary
Type of race: Partisan
Who can vote: All voters registered with the Republican Party who live in House District 9, which includes northeast Tallahassee, part of Jefferson County, and all of Madison County.
What is next: The winner advances to the November general election to face incumbent Democratic Rep. Allison Tant of Tallahassee, who has no Democratic opposition.
How much does the position pay: $29,697 a year with per diem of $152 a day when in session.
Jibi Knight
Age: 45
Occupation: Insurance operations manager
Qualification: Lifelong District 9 resident, insurance executive, former state employee, and proven leader with 15+ years managing teams, solving problems, and delivering results for Floridians.
Website: www.knightfor9.com
Q: What is the pivotal issue in this election?
A: Property taxes are the pivotal issue in this election because they directly impact every homeowner’s ability to truly own their home. It’s time to decouple homeownership from taxation. Floridians should not face the risk of losing their homes simply because they cannot keep up with rising property tax bills. Florida is uniquely positioned to explore alternatives because we welcome millions of visitors each year as one of the world’s top tourist destinations. We should have a serious conversation about shifting more of the tax burden away from homeowners and toward revenue generated by tourism, while ensuring essential services remain fully funded.
Q: What is the one thing you want to accomplish if elected?
A: If elected, I won’t focus on just one issue – I will focus on the issues that matter most. Whether it’s reducing the burden of property taxes, strengthening educational accountability and school choice, protecting our natural resources, improving public safety, or addressing the rising cost of living, their priorities will be my priorities. I believe leadership begins with listening and serving. District 9 has given so much to me throughout my life, and I want to give back by being a strong, accessible advocate who works every day to improve the lives of the families, businesses, and communities I represent.
Tracy Robinson
Age: 50
Occupation: AI engineer in medicine; career emergency management supervisor during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and later as an independent-contractor response emergency coordinator.
Qualifications: Law enforcement officer, mental health case manager, Hurricane Katrina emergency management supervisor, and 2024 response emergency coordinator who helped secure $177 million in Florida relief.
Website: www.votetracyrobinson.com
Q: What is the pivotal issue in this election?
A: District 9 has been overlooked for too long, and my campaign is built around REVIVE – Restore Communities, Economy & Lower Taxes, Veterans & Public Safety, Infrastructure, Values/Voice/Accountability, and Education & Opportunity. The pivotal issue is whether rural North Florida finally gets a representative who fights for all of it at once: cleaning up blighted properties, easing the property tax burden on working families, backing our law enforcement, fixing crumbling roads and expanding broadband, and giving parents and taxpayers real accountability in Tallahassee. This isn’t Republican vs. Democrat. It’s We the People, together, choosing to revive what’s been neglected.
Q: One thing you want to accomplish if elected?
A: If elected, my top priority is putting REVIVE into action starting with restoring our communities – rehabilitating blighted homes, strengthening neighborhood and faith-based partnerships, and pairing that with real investment in infrastructure like roads, bridges, water, sewer, and broadband across Madison, Jefferson, and Leon counties. I want District 9 families to see tangible progress: safer streets, better-equipped law enforcement, lower tax burdens, and stronger schools with real pathways to good-paying careers. It’s about proving rural North Florida can revive itself – economically, physically, and in spirit – and that our best days don’t have to be behind us.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida House District 9 voter guide to 2026 Republican primary election
Reporting by James Call, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Call, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
