Hernando Sun forum brings 2026 candidates before county voters

Hernando Sun put 2026 candidates on one stage at a time when Hernando County voters are weighing school, county, state and congressional choices all at once. The June 22 forum gave residents a single setting to compare contenders for the Hernando County School Board, the Board of County Commissioners, State House Districts 52 and 53, and Congressional District 15, with each candidate asked to introduce themselves, answer at least three questions and make closing remarks.

That format mattered because the ballot is already crowded. Confirmed participants included candidates in BOCC District 2 and District 4, School Board District 1, District 3 and District 5, and the state and congressional contests that will shape decisions far beyond Brooksville and Spring Hill. Among the names listed were Denise LaVancher, Jeff Holcomb, Brian Hawkins, Silvia Dukes, Maxwell Glenn, James Scavetta, Jerry Campbell, Marvin Baynham, Mark Johnson, Anthony Arenz, Dana Pearce, Shannon Rodriguez, Daniel Dumont, Matthew Impemba, Luciano Vignali, Susan Duval, Rocco Maglio, Julie Maglio, Michelle Miller, Shirley Anderson and Fabrizio Gowdy.

For voters, the stakes extend well beyond party labels. Hernando County’s population was estimated at 221,701 on July 1, 2025, up 14.0% from the 2020 census base of 194,510, and the median owner-occupied home value was $276,000. The county also has an older electorate, with 26.1% of residents age 65 or older, while 18.3% are under 18. Those numbers help explain why growth, public safety, taxes and local services stay at the center of county politics.

The Supervisor of Elections said Hernando County had 135,767 active registered voters as of June 22, including 69,949 Republicans, 30,212 Democrats and 35,606 others. Redistricting also moved the county from Congressional District 12 into Congressional District 15, changing the federal race facing local voters. County commissioners earn $94,266 a year and school board members are paid $47,403, underscoring how much influence those offices carry over land use, schools and day-to-day services.

The 2026 primary election is scheduled for August 18, with the deadline to register or change party affiliation set for July 20. Vote-by-mail requests for the primary close August 6, and early voting runs August 8 through August 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at five sites: the Forest Oaks Elections Office, Spring Hill Library, South Brooksville Community Center, East Hernando Library and the Hernando County Utilities Department. Hernando Sun has another candidate forum set for July 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, 13383 County Line Road, keeping the race calendar in front of voters before ballots are cast.