An incumbent Florida House member from Polk County will face an in-party challenge from a familiar foe on Aug. 18.
State Rep Jon Albert, R-Frostproof, faces Winter Haven’s Jerry Carter, a former Polk County commissioner, for the Republican Party nomination in House District 48. It’s a rematch of the 2024 primary with a much smaller field.
Now, its head to head. Here’s a look at what both candidates have to offer voters heading to the polls on Aug. 18.
Jon Albert
Rep. Albert is finishing his first two-year term as a state representative, having won the open seat in 2024.
In the 2026 legislation session, Albert sponsored 10 pieces of legislation and co-sponsored another eight in the early January session. While none of his sponsored legislation earned DeSantis’ signature to become law, he put forward HB 1211 titled Military Affairs. Its companion bill, SB 474, which granted leave of absence for military personnel including Coast Guard and clarified previous provisions for other service members, was signed into law on May 22.
Albert served as a Frostproof city commissioner from 2016 through 2024, when he resigned from office to run for the state House, as required by Florida law. He has previously touted his role in helping Frostproof secure more than $3.5 million in state funding for infrastructural upgrades, including conversions of homes from septic tanks to sewer services.
Albert graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1997 and attended Polk State College before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. During nearly a decade of service, he was stationed in Hawaii and North Carolina and deployed to Japan and Southeast Asia.
While on active duty, Albert earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political studies, followed by a master’s in business administration, from Chaminade University of Honolulu. After leaving the military, Albert settled with his family in Frostproof and has worked as a plant manager and general manager in manufacturing facilities across Central Florida.
Albert and his wife, Anna, own and operate a business with locations in Orlando, Jacksonville and Atlanta.
Albert did not respond to The Ledger’s request for a candidate interview.
Jerry Carter
Carter returns to challenge Albert again for the Republican nomination in House District 48 in November.
Carter, a Winter Haven native, is a familiar name in Polk’s political circles. He’s a former Polk County commissioner and served as the chairman of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee from 1998 to 2002.
Carter previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Florida House in 2002, then again in 2024. Two years ago, he lost a six-way primary to Albert by about 1,100 votes, or roughly a 10% difference of the over 11,000 ballots cast. Now he’s at it again.
“Jerry [Carter] is running again because he believes District 48 deserves a representative who will listen to constituents, stand up for conservative principles, and fight for policies that strengthen families, protect freedoms, and preserve our quality of life,” reads his campaign’s website.
Among Carter’s listed concerns is addressing Florida’s property insurance costs, calling it a “crisis.” Carter suggests there needs to be increased competition, accountability and help to stabilize insurance costs for homeowners. He pledges to work with others for practical reforms to provide long-term relief, according to the website.
The candidate’s website also speaks to the need to make Florida more affordable, support law enforcement and first responders and protect conservative values if he should be elected.
Carter did not respond to The Ledger’s requests for a primary candidate interview.
Republican primaries
Walk-in voting for the Aug. 18 primaries runs Aug. 8 to 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can find their nearest site on Polk County Supervisor of Election’s website at www.polkelections.gov. The primary is on Aug. 18, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Only registered Republicans can vote in the primary.
The winner faces Democrat Alethea Pugh in the November general election.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: In 2024 rematch, two Republicans compete in Florida House 48 primary
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
