DeSantis signs Lee County single-member district bill
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will allow Lee County voters to decide in 2026 if they want to elect the Lee County Board of County Commissioners by district.
The bill, HB 4001 — Lee County, was introduced by state Rep. Mike Giallombardo, R-Cape Coral.
Currently, the commissioners are voted on at-large by the voters in the county. If voters approve the change, commissioners will be voted on by only the voters registered in their district beginning in 2028. Voters would not be able to vote for commissioners outside their district.
Currently, commissioners have to live within their district but represent all voters in the county.
The bill has been opposed by District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, who said the legislation would dissuade commissioners from needing to appeal to all county residents or responding to the concerns of residents outside of their district.
The bill was also opposed by District 5 Commissioner Mike Greenwell at its initial introduction in 2023 at a state delegation hearing. A number of residents from Greenwell’s district have publicly supported the bill. An unsuccessful primary challenge to Greenwell from Amanda Cochran in 2024 would have led to his defeat if only the votes from District 5 had been counted.
Giallombardo has pushed the legislation as a way to make the county’s government more representative. He could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka was the lone member of the Lee County state delegation in the Legislature to oppose the bill. Her husband, David Mulicka, holds the District 3 seat on the county commission.
To reach NATHAN?MAYBERG / nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com, please email