2026 Democratic Primary Ballot Guide

Precinct 5708D · Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 · Election Day: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Federal and state races below are a closed Democratic primary — only registered Democrats may vote in them. The County Court Judge and Jupiter Inlet District races are nonpartisan and open to all registered voters. Fundraising and polling figures reflect late July/early August 2026 reporting and may shift before Election Day.

United States Senator Vote for One

Winner faces GOP incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody in November. Recent polling shows Moody leading both Democrats by 8–10 points.
CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
Angie Nixon State Rep. (Jacksonville, HD 13) since 2020; member of Democratic Socialists of America and Working Families Party Polls slightly closer to Moody than her opponent; strong support among Black voters and women; doesn't take corporate PAC money Far behind in fundraising (~$625K vs. ~$17M); never held statewide/federal office; DSA ties used as an attack line Ballotpedia →
Alex Vindman Retired Army Lt. Colonel; former NSC director of European Affairs; 2019 impeachment-inquiry whistleblower Massive fundraising lead (~$17M); national profile; military/national-security credentials; "big tent" appeal to independents Never held elected office; recent arrival to Florida; has avoided debating Nixon; slightly further behind Moody in some polls Ballotpedia →

Representative in Congress — District 21 Vote for One

Winner faces incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Mast in November, in a district that leans Republican.
CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
James T. Martin Democratic challenger; district covers Treasure Coast/northern Palm Beach County Strong fundraising (~$570K) after a rival shifted races; casts himself as new-generation alternative to Mast Running in a GOP-leaning district; limited public bio detail available Ballotpedia →
Bernard Taylor Firefighter/paramedic in Palm Beach County; IAFF Local 2928 member First-responder background resonates locally; platform on insurance costs, healthcare, housing, retirement security; comparable fundraising (~$591K) Also facing a steep district lean toward the GOP incumbent; first-time candidate Ballotpedia →

Governor and Lieutenant Governor Vote for One

Winner faces the GOP nominee (frontrunner: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds) in November. Florida hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1994.
CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
David Jolly / Gwen Graham Former Republican U.S. Rep., now Democrat; running mate Gwen Graham is a former U.S. Rep. and daughter of ex-Gov. Bob Graham Widely seen as frontrunner; strongest name recognition/media profile; centrist ticket may broaden general-election appeal Recent party-switcher, viewed skeptically by some Democrats; possible base-enthusiasm questions Ballotpedia →
Evelyn Castillo-Bach Pembroke Pines resident; criminal-justice reform advocate; founder of Balanced Justice Network Personal, values-driven platform: universal healthcare, banning medical debt, criminal justice reform Minimal statewide name recognition; campaign ~87% self-funded Ballotpedia →
Thomas Eloy Fernandez 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran; healthcare professional Military/healthcare background; focus on affordability, veterans, housing Very limited fundraising, almost entirely self-loaned (~$9,200); little public record Ballotpedia →
Dayna Marie Foster High school algebra teacher, Fort Lauderdale Grassroots, educator's perspective on economic opportunity Least statewide infrastructure/funding of the field Ballotpedia →
Dotie Joseph State Rep. (North Miami) since 2018; Minority Leader Pro Tempore; first Haitian-American in FL legislative leadership Real legislative track record; established campaign committee (Victory Now) Lower name recognition outside South Florida than Jolly; more progressive positioning may be a harder statewide sell Ballotpedia →
Stephann Norman Democratic candidate; limited public bio available Little public information on background or platform found Ballotpedia →

Chief Financial Officer Vote for One

Winner faces appointed GOP incumbent CFO Blaise Ingoglia in November.
CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
Earle Ford Army Airborne Infantry veteran; former asst. state attorney (9th Judicial Circuit); former IRS federal investigator Prosecutorial and financial-oversight experience; military service Entered race late, switching from a congressional bid two weeks before the deadline; modest fundraising (~$13.7K, much self-loaned) Ballotpedia →
Annette Taddeo Former Miami-Dade state senator; business owner (founded LanguageSpeak); past congressional and gubernatorial candidate Extensive elected-office and campaign experience; recruited by Ruth's List Florida; more statewide name recognition Also entered days before the deadline; has run for several offices without winning higher office; fundraising still modest Ballotpedia →

Commissioner of Agriculture Vote for One

Winner faces GOP incumbent Wilton Simpson in November.
CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
Joey Mendoza Atkins Attorney; unsuccessful 2024 U.S. House candidate (FL-26); briefly ran for U.S. Senate before switching races Legal background; focus on sustainable agriculture and food safety Pattern of switching between races in one cycle; limited endorsements found Ballotpedia →
Donald A. "Don" Prichard Pembroke Park Police Dept. captain; Florida Army National Guard (1998–2006); former Broward Farm Bureau Young Farmers chair Direct agriculture-community ties; consumer-protection focus (scam/fraud crackdowns, food safety); law-enforcement background Modest fundraising (~$24K); more local (Broward) than statewide profile Ballotpedia →

County Court Judge — Group 12 Nonpartisan · Vote for One

Open to all registered voters regardless of party. If no candidate exceeds 50%, the top two advance to a runoff in November.

CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
Schnelle Tonge Assistant Public Defender, Palm Beach County (15th Judicial Circuit); Chief of Client Services & Felony Mental Health Division ~20 years of trial experience; recommended nine times by the Judicial Nominating Commission; strong fundraising (~$60K) and broad committee backing Career entirely on the defense side, which some voters may weigh either way Campaign site →
Jacob Noble Founder of Noble Law (private practice since 2007); started career at the Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office ~20 years of legal experience; own firm handling both criminal and civil law, offering broader case-type exposure Less visible campaign infrastructure/fundraising reported than Tonge Ballotpedia →

Jupiter Inlet District — Seat 4 Nonpartisan · Vote for One

Open to all registered voters regardless of party.

CandidateBackgroundProsConsMore info
Gail P. Whipple Incumbent, first term (2022–2026); former IBM executive; led first full charter update in 100+ years Concrete record — annual dredging, beach nourishment, water-quality monitoring, expanded surveys; institutional continuity Some residents/petitioners feel inlet navigation conditions still haven't improved enough Official bio →
Edwin "Ed" Kawecki Retired aerospace/civil engineer (PhD, NYU); 50-year Jupiter resident; 40 years on the Loxahatchee River; Everglades Audubon Society guide Deep local/technical navigation expertise; grassroots petition support (650+ signatures) on inlet-condition concerns; outsider pushing for change No prior elected experience; single-issue campaign focus may leave other board duties less addressed Campaign site →