County commissioner eyes supervisor of elections seat
Lee County District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, who was recently appointed chair of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, has expressed interest in being the next Lee County supervisor of elections.
The position will became available with Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle announcing on Nov. 19 that he will be retiring on Jan. 14 in the middle of his term. Doyle, who has served since 2016, cited a health issue earlier this year in leading him to the decision to step down.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has the sole authority to name a replacement for Doyle.
Pendergrass, a lifelong Fort Myers resident, is the longest-serving member of the county commission. He has served on the board since 2012. Pendergrass spent 25 years with the city of Fort Myers Police Department before retiring in 2009.
“Tommy has done a great job,” he said. “It’s a very important job and office in our community. We want every vote to count. The last few elections have been very smooth, accurate elections.”
Pendergrass is currently an alternate on the Lee County Canvassing Board for the elections office.
If he is appointed by DeSantis to fill Doyle’s seat, it would leave two vacant positions on the county commission. The office of the late Commissioner Mike Greenwell has been vacant since his death in October.
The person appointed to the office would have to run in November to retain the seat through 2028.
Doyle was elected to a four-year term last year.
The seat on the county board that Pendergrass holds is up for election in November. He ran unopposed for the office in 2022.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG / nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com, please email