NAPLES, Fla. — As the highly anticipated election rapidly approaches, voters in Collier County are preparing to exercise their right to vote. However, in a stark contrast to neighboring Lee County, the ballot in Collier County features a limited number of races and notably lacks local Democratic candidates.
Upon reviewing the ballot, Collier County voters will find both Democratic and Republican candidates competing in various state and federal elections. However, a significant observation is that many Republican candidates on the local level are facing no opposition, leading to an uncompetitive political landscape.
Sandy Ussia, the Vice Chair of the Collier County Democratic Party, emphasizes that the party is primarily concentrating its efforts on non-partisan school board races and local amendments, seeking to engage the community and address educational issues.
When confronted with the scarcity of Democratic candidates for key county commission districts, specifically districts 1 and 3, Ussia articulated the profound challenges in recruiting individuals willing to run within a predominantly Republican stronghold. “If we can get people that are willing to run for office, I mean that’s the key,” she stated. “It’s finding those people who are willing to put the time and the effort to run for office, which is what we’ve been able to do on all of the legislative issues—but some of it does take work for people to do that,” Ussia explained.
In the face of these difficulties, Democrats are making concerted investments in candidates like Charles Work, who is campaigning for Florida House Seat 81 against Republican incumbent Yvette Benarroch. Additionally, they have candidates positioned for the races for House Seats 80 and 82, showcasing a determination to make their presence felt in the electoral process.
Adjunct Professor Peter Bergerson from Florida Gulf Coast University addressed the political dynamics in Collier County during an interview with Fox 4. “Collier County is overwhelmingly Republican, with a voter registration ratio of about 65-35% in favor of Republicans,” he noted. He further added, “The Democratic Party is mostly dormant, making it hard to find candidates willing to take on those odds. Additionally, the cost of campaigning is a significant hurdle.”
A tally released by the Collier County Supervisor of Elections reveals that over 116,000 residents have already cast their votes in Collier County, indicating a robust early voting turnout. Polls opened for early voting in Collier County on Monday, Oct. 21, and will remain accessible until Saturday, Nov. 2, allowing ample time for voters to participate in this critical democratic process.
The general election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5, marking a pivotal moment in the local political landscape.
