Holmes County voters choose, Bowers, Tate, and Wilson

Holmes County voters decided several local races Tuesday night, as just over one‑third of registered voters participated in the 2026 Primary Election. 

Unofficial preliminary results from the Florida Division of Elections show 4,024 of Holmes County’s 11,321 registered voters cast ballots in the August 18 primary, producing a turnout of 35.54 percent. All eight precincts, along with early voting and vote‑by‑mail totals, were fully reported as of Tuesday night. 

The most closely watched local contest came in the Holmes County Board of County

Commissioners District 2 race, where Rodney Bowers emerged from a five-candidate field with

1,224 votes(31.01 percent), defeating current District 2 Commissioner Charles “Wade” Ellenburg, who received 856 votes (21.69 percent). Josh Jackson finished third with 706 votes (17.89 percent), followed by Dale Sconiers with 687 votes (17.41 percent). Former District 2 Commissioner Brandon Newsom finished fifth with 473 votes (11.98 percent). A total of 3,946 votes were recorded in the contest.

Following the election, Bowers thanked those who supported his campaign and said he was

honored by the trust voters placed in him.

“From the kind words and encouragement, to the phone calls, signs, shares, and most

importantly, your vote. You made this possible,” Bowers said. “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me. I promise to work hard, listen, and always put District 2 first.”

Bowers added that his election marked the beginning of the work ahead for the district.

“The work is just beginning,” Bowers said. “Together, we can build a stronger tomorrow.”

The result marks a shift for District 2 less than a year after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Ellenburg to the seat. DeSantis appointed Ellenburg on December 12, 2025, to serve the remainder of Newsom’s term following Newsom’s suspension from office. Tuesday’s election was Ellenburg’s first opportunity to seek the seat directly from voters. 

Because the District 2 contest was designated a Universal Primary Contest, all registered voters

were eligible to participate regardless of party affiliation. Bowers’ victory therefore decides the

District 2 race rather than advancing the candidates to a Republican-only contest in November.

In the Holmes County Commission District 4 race, Randon Tate received 3,018 votes (78.47 percent), defeating David Cunningham, who received 828 (21.52 percent). Tate carried the race by 2,190 votes, with 3,846 total ballots cast. 

Following his victory, Tate thanked Holmes County voters for participating in the election and

for placing their confidence in him.

“I would like to personally say thanks to everyone that got out and voted,” Tate said. “Thank you

for the support you all have given me and trusting me for the job. I appreciate each one of you.”

The Holmes District School Board District 1 race saw Milton “Tad” Wilson receive 2,248 votes (58.25 percent), defeating Jeffrey K. Amerson, who received 1,611 (41.74 percent). Wilson won by 637 votes, with 3,859 total ballots cast.

Following the results, Wilson said he was grateful for the support he received throughout the

campaign.

“I am humbled and grateful for everyone who supported, encouraged, prayed for, and voted for

me throughout this election,” Wilson said. “Holmes County has been my home my entire life. I

was raised here, graduated from Holmes County High School, raised my family here, and now

have the blessing of watching my grandchildren attend Holmes County schools.”

Wilson said serving on the School Board would give him an opportunity to give back to the

community where he was raised.

“It is an incredible honor to now serve this community as your District 1 School Board

Member,” Wilson said. “I promise to serve with integrity, support our teachers and staff, listen to

our families, and always keep our children at the heart of every decision.”

Wilson concluded by thanking voters for placing their confidence in him.

“Thank you for putting your trust in me,” Wilson said. “I am honored and ready to get to work.”

In statewide contests, Holmes County Republicans favored Jay Collins in the gubernatorial primary, giving him 1,436 votes (42.93 percent). Byron Donalds finished second locally with 793 votes (23.70 percent). Bobby Williams received 374 votes (11.181 percent); James Fishback received 332 votes (9.925 percent); and Paul Renner received 291 votes (8.700 percent). The remaining candidates each received less than 2 percent of the Holmes County vote.

David Jolly led Holmes County Democrats with 185 votes (50.96 percent) in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. 

One of the closest results of the night in Holmes County came in the Republican primary for

Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Austin Rogers received 875 Holmes County votes (26.42

percent), narrowly edging Jim Norton, who received 864 votes (26.09 percent). Only 11

votes separated the two candidates in Holmes County. Keith Gross followed with 535 votes,

Evan Power with 475, Luke Murphy with 284, Audie Rowell with 141, Lee Jones with 91, and

Nick Lewis with 46.

In the Democratic congressional primary, Amanda Marie Green received 150 Holmes County

Votes (41.209 percent), narrowly topping Brice Barnes, who received 148 votes (40.659

percent).

Holmes County Republicans strongly backed Ashley Moody in the U.S. Senate primary. Moody

received 2,647 votes (80.50 percent), compared with 478 votes for Chris Gleason. Ernest

“Ernie” Rivera received 125 votes and Neelam Taneja Perry received 38.

The Republican contest for Florida Chief Financial Officer was dramatically closer. Blaise

Ingoglia received 1,590 votes (50.17 percent), while Frank William Collige received 1,579

votes (49.82 percent), a difference of only 11 votes in Holmes County.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson also performed strongly locally, receiving 2,177 votes (66.70 percent) compared with Matt Taylor’s 1,087 (33.30 percent).

While the individual races produced several notable results, overall voter participation remained low. Of 11,321 registered voters, only 4,024 cast ballots, meaning roughly 64.5 percent did not vote in the primary. 

The low turnout is noteworthy because the ballot included two Universal Primary Contests for the Holmes County Commission and a nonpartisan School Board race, allowing all voters to participate despite Florida’s otherwise closed primary system.

Election‑night figures remain listed as unofficial preliminary results by the Florida Division of Elections.