Lee County businesswoman Amanda Cochran is running for the second time for the District 5 commission seat now held by Trish Petrosky.
Cochran and Petrosky, both Republicans, are in a high-profile fight for the position, once occupied by the late Mike Greenwell.
Cochran challenged Greenwell for the seat in 2024, and while the long-time Alva resident won the district, Greenwell prevailed by a wide margin in the countywide vote.
Cochran has pitched controlled growth on the campaign trail and has opposed development proposals approved by and pending before county commissioners.
Cochran preaches transparency and accountability, and has been critical of the process that got her opponent appointed. Petrosky was appointed to the seat by Gov. Ron DeSantis after her predecessor, Mike Greenwell, died.
District 5 covers northeastern Lee County, including Lehigh Acres, Alva, Olga and Buckingham.
Both Petrosky and Cochran are Republicans, so every eligible voter in Lee County is eligible to cast a ballot in the Aug. 18 primary.
The campaign has been the most expensive in the county. As of the end of July, Cochran had raised $190,475.99. Petrosky had raised $283,660.
The News-Press & Naples Daily News submitted questions to the candidates in July. Petrosky did not answer. Here are Cochran’s answers:
Cochran’s view on the role of Lee County commissioner
Q. Do you see Lee County Commission as a full-time job?
A. Absolutely. Serving as a Lee County Commissioner is far more than attending commission meetings. It’s a full-time commitment to the people of Lee County. Commissioners must understand complex issues, review extensive agenda materials, meet with residents and businesses, visit project sites, respond to constituent concerns, and make informed decisions that affect more than 800,000 residents and billions of taxpayer dollars.
The job requires being available to the community, listening to citizens, asking tough questions, and ensuring government remains transparent and accountable. If elected, I will treat this office with the seriousness it deserves. My priority will always be serving the people of Lee County, not political insiders, special interests, or personal business interests. The citizens who elect me deserve a Commissioner who is accessible, prepared, engaged, and working every day to protect taxpayers, improve our quality of life, and keep Lee County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
What does Amanda Cochran think about managing growth & development?
Q. Do you believe that ‘growth should pay growth’ and how would you try to make sure it does?
A. I firmly believe growth should pay for growth. Existing taxpayers should not be left footing more than their fair share of the bill for the roads, utilities, public safety, and other infrastructure needed to serve new development.
For too long, Lee County has approved growth faster than the infrastructure required to support it, leaving residents with worsening traffic, strained public services, and a declining quality of life. As your County Commissioner, I will work to ensure new development pays its fair share through impact fees, proportionate-share agreements, and other developer contributions authorized by law. I will also carefully evaluate requests for increased density, Comprehensive Plan amendments, and development incentives to ensure costs are not disproportionately shifted onto taxpayers. Before approving major projects, I want to know who will pay for the infrastructure, when it will be built, and whether existing residents will bear any of the cost. If the numbers don’t add up, I won’t support it.
Q. Commissioners briefly considered putting a 1% sales tax on the ballot to pay for infrastructure. Would you support that?
I believe government has an obligation to demonstrate that it is spending existing tax dollars wisely. Over the past two decades, Lee County’s budget has grown significantly as the population, property values, and revenues have increased. Before asking taxpayers for more, we should ensure current resources are being managed efficiently and infrastructure needs are being properly prioritized.
A. I would not support placing a one-cent infrastructure sales tax on the ballot. Instead, I want to see a transparent, long-term infrastructure plan that identifies priorities, funding sources, timelines, and measurable accountability. My focus will be on better stewardship of existing resources, ensuring developers pay their fair share of growth-related costs, and making infrastructure a higher budget priority before asking Lee County families and visitors to pay more in taxes.
Q. The county Sheriff’s budget has grown exponentially in recent years. Is that growth appropriate? Too much? If it is too much, how do you rein it in?
A. Public safety is one of county government’s most important responsibilities, and I deeply appreciate the men and women of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office who work every day to keep our communities safe. Recruiting and retaining qualified deputies requires competitive pay, proper training, and the equipment they need to do their jobs safely.
At the same time, every taxpayer-funded department has a responsibility to justify its budget. I support carefully reviewing requests for significant increases to ensure they are tied to measurable public safety needs and the Sheriff’s core mission. As your County Commissioner, I will ask tough questions, evaluate the data, and ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar spent. Supporting law enforcement and exercising fiscal responsibility are not competing priorities. They are both essential to earning the public’s trust.
Cochran’s take on single-member districts versus countywide representation
Q. The issue of single-member districts is on the November ballot. How do you feel about single-member districts?
The question of single-member districts is an important one, and I believe it should ultimately be decided by the voters of Lee County. There are valid arguments on both sides. Supporters believe single-member districts strengthen local representation and accountability, while others believe the current at-large system encourages commissioners to consider the needs of the entire county.
My own experience gives me a unique perspective. In my last election, I earned approximately 65% of the vote within my district but was not elected because commissioners are chosen through countywide voting. However, this referendum is bigger than any one candidate or election. If voters choose single-member districts, I will respect that decision. If they choose to keep the current system, I will respect that as well. Ultimately, the people—not politicians—should decide how they want to be represented.
Let the voters decide.
Q. Has the growth and development of Lee County been so called ‘smart growth’? How could it be smarter and how could you make it smarter?
A. If “smart growth” means approving development faster than we build roads, schools, stormwater systems, utilities, and public safety infrastructure, then no, I don’t believe Lee County has consistently practiced smart growth.
Growth itself is not the problem. Lee County is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family, so it’s no surprise people want to move here. The challenge is ensuring growth is planned responsibly and serves the long-term interests of the people who already call Lee County home.
Smart growth begins with respecting our Comprehensive Plan rather than repeatedly amending it to allow development at densities our roads, schools, utilities, drainage systems, and emergency services were never designed to support. Too often, we’ve approved high-density, clustered housing that has outpaced infrastructure, resulting in traffic congestion, strained public services, and changes to the character of our communities.
I support responsible growth that is accompanied by adequate infrastructure and requires new development to pay its fair share. I also believe we should support local builders, tradespeople, and businesses that are invested in Lee County’s future.
My approach is straightforward:
As your County Commissioner, I will prioritize transparency, protect the integrity of our Comprehensive Plan, carefully evaluate requests for increased density, and ask one simple question before every major development decision: Will this improve Lee County’s quality of life for today’s residents while preserving it for future generations?
If the answer is no, it isn’t smart growth.
How would Cochran approach environmental conservation?
Q. Should the Lee County Board of County Commissioners restore funding to voter-approved Conservation 20/20?
A. Yes. Absolutely. In 2016, 84% of Lee County voters approved continued funding for Conservation 20/20, sending a clear message that preserving environmentally sensitive lands, protecting water quality, and maintaining our quality of life are community priorities. I believe the Board of County Commissioners should honor both the will of the voters and the intent of the ordinance by restoring funding for future land acquisitions.
Since that vote, Lee County has experienced unprecedented growth while conservation funding has not kept pace. Responsible growth and land conservation are not competing priorities. They go hand in hand. As your County Commissioner, I would support restoring the acquisition fund while ensuring transparency, accountability, and strategic purchases that provide the greatest environmental benefit. If county leaders believe the program should change, that decision should be made by the voters—not by five commissioners.
Q. There are two Basin Management Action Plans in the county. Is the county doing enough to improve water quality in those areas and across the county? What can it do better?
A. The short answer is no. While progress has been made, we are not moving fast enough to keep up with the pace of development and the growing pressures on our water resources.
As your County Commissioner, I would support a balanced approach that protects our environment while respecting private property rights and taxpayers.
First, we must continue investing in critical infrastructure. Expanding sewer service where appropriate, improving stormwater treatment, and maintaining drainage systems are essential to reducing nutrient pollution.
Second, growth must be matched by infrastructure. New development should not outpace the roads, drainage, and water quality improvements needed to support it. That’s why I believe in Infrastructure Before Development.
Third, we must preserve more natural lands. Wetlands and conservation areas naturally improve water quality, reduce flooding, and protect our estuaries. Conservation 20/20 remains an important part of that effort.
Finally, accountability is essential. The County should regularly measure and publicly report progress, work closely with state and regional partners, and ensure taxpayer dollars produce measurable improvements in water quality.
Clean water is not just an environmental issue. It is an economic issue. Our beaches, rivers, estuaries, agriculture, tourism, fishing, and quality of life all depend on healthy waterways. We can have a strong economy and protect our natural resources, but only if we plan responsibly and ensure that infrastructure and conservation keep pace with growth.
Make county government more open, transparent
Q. Journalists covering Lee County are exclusively routed through the county PIO office. Subject matter experts are typically not made available. Is this appropriate? Would you look to make the county more open and transparent?
A. The County’s Public Information Office plays an important role in providing accurate and timely information. However, when media access is routed exclusively through one office and subject matter experts are generally unavailable to answer technical questions, it can create the perception that information is being filtered rather than shared. Whether intended or not, public trust depends on openness.
As your County Commissioner, I will advocate for a culture of transparency. Journalists should have reasonable access to knowledgeable County staff, while respecting legal requirements, personnel matters, and ongoing litigation. The public deserves direct, factual information—not just carefully crafted talking points.
Transparency extends beyond media access. It means engaging residents before major decisions are made, making public records easy to obtain, and ensuring meetings and supporting documents are accessible and understandable. Government exists to serve the public, not manage public perception. My commitment is to foster an open, responsive, and accountable government that earns the public’s trust.
Trust is earned through openness, not controlled messaging. If elected, I will work to ensure Lee County is a government that listens first, communicates clearly, and welcomes public scrutiny rather than avoiding it.
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Charlie Whitehead covers Lee County and Fort Myers. Reach him at cwhitehead@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County Commission candidate Amanda Cochran pushes for smart growth in Lee County; Q&A
Reporting by Charlie Whitehead, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Charlie Whitehead, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
