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Okaloosa qualifying period ends, setting 2026 election ballot

Okaloosa County's 2026 qualifying period closed June 12, locking in candidates for county commission, school board and city council races across Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

Jared Williams
1 min read

The candidate qualifying period for Okaloosa County’s 2026 election cycle ended June 12, setting the field for races spanning the County Commission, School Board and city councils in Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

The primary election is Aug. 18, with the general election Nov. 3.

School Board (Aug. 18 primary)

Florida school board races are nonpartisan, and a candidate who wins a majority in the primary is elected outright.

District 1:

  • Jerry Buckman
  • JD Peacock

District 3:

  • Linda Evanchyk
  • Mitch Reed

District 5:

  • Brett Hinely
  • Cynthia West

County Commission

District 2:

  • Carolyn Ketchel (REP) — unopposed

District 4:

  • Trey Goodwin (REP) — unopposed

Crestview City Council (Nov. 3 general)

Precinct 1:

  • Darice “Dusty” Allison
  • Frederick Jackson Butts III

Precinct 2:

  • Sylvester Echols
  • April Rencich
  • Louis Rodriquez

Precinct 3:

  • Douglas Capps — unopposed

Destin (Nov. 3 general)

Mayor:

  • Bobby Wagner — unopposed

City Council:

  • Rodney Braden
  • Ross Haynes
  • Chatham Morgan
  • John Stephens

Fort Walton Beach City Council (Nov. 3 general)

Eleven candidates qualified for four open seats.

  • Brandon Bishop
  • Schuyler Black
  • Steve Caldarelli
  • Tyler Capelotti
  • Gloria DeBerry
  • Denise Dierker
  • Glen Guarin
  • MG Moran
  • Jeffrey Pendleton
  • Matthew Turpin
  • Payne Walker
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“Kind of ironic that the United States sank.”
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“Make more. Sell them to the public. Please.”
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“Great ‘photo delivering the good news that the liner is lying upright.”
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