TALLAHASSEE — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-76 this week, declaring a vacancy on the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. The vacancy exists in the county’s District 1 seat, following the unexpected passing of Commissioner Carol Ann Felts last month.
The Executive Office of the Governor published the March 24 order on its website on Thursday. By Friday afternoon, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website showed the District 1 commission race was open for a special election in the 2026 elections cycle.
County commissioners are elected to four-year terms, and Felts was elected to represent District 1 in 2024, leaving more than 28 months remaining in her term. Florida Statute § 100.111(1)(a) requires a special election to be held so voters can fill commission vacancies with more than half of a term remaining.
Though the District 1 race was not yet officially open until this week, at least nine individuals had already signaled their intent to file as a candidate to fill the vacancy, filing for the 2028 contest while awaiting the governor’s executive order.
With the special election now scheduled, it is anticipated that those candidates who filed for the 2028 race will change their filings, moving their candidacies to the 2026 District 1 race. It’s possible that with the race formally opened, additional candidates could also file.
Under the Florida Constitution, Article IV, Section 1(f), the governor may appoint—but is not required—someone to fill the commission seat's vacancy temporarily, until the special election is held and voters elect new representation.
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