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
