Bay County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
18 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 9 Bay County races, led by the Bay District Schools School Board Member, District 3 contest; 1 more race was decided at the primary.
School board
District Schools School Board Member, District 3Nonpartisan race · Christopher Moore · Dr. John L. Haley
Christopher Moore and Dr. John L. Haley are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bay District Schools School Board Member, District 3.
Christopher Moore Nonpartisan Incumbent
Christopher Moore is Director of Operations, Senior Program Manager and site lead at General Dynamics Information Technology, a role he has held since 2012, per his candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. He is a retired U.S. Navy captain with more than 24 years of service, a Panama City native and a Bay District Schools graduate who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and two master's degrees, from Valdosta State University and the U.S. Naval War College, per his candidate filing. He was first elected to the Bay County School Board District 3 seat in 2022 and is the incumbent seeking a second term, per WFSU News. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$10,150 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Dr. John L. Haley Nonpartisan
- Supporting teachers with adequate resources and fair compensation
- Fiscal responsibility with taxpayer resources
- School safety and consistent security protocols
Per the campaign site.
About Dr. John L. Haley
Dr. John L. Haley spent more than three decades with Bay District Schools, rising from a volunteer and substitute teacher to principal of J.R. Arnold High School, and later served as the district's first Executive Director of Operations, per his campaign site. He also founded New Covenant Church in Panama City, where he serves as senior pastor.
$48,956.52 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
August 18 result: no candidate topped 50 percent for this four-way nonpartisan race; incumbent Christopher Moore (29.25 percent, 9,023 votes) and Dr. John L. Haley (28.63 percent, 8,831 votes) advance to a November 3 runoff, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official results, after Colleen Koch (27.81 percent, 8,577 votes) and Glenn Manley (14.31 percent, 4,413 votes) were eliminated.
Full race pageCities and towns
Callaway Commissioner, Ward 1Nonpartisan race · Bobby J. Birdsell · Karen Custer
Bobby J. Birdsell Nonpartisan Incumbent
Bobby J. Birdsell is the incumbent Callaway Ward I Commissioner, a resident of the city since 2017, per the City of Callaway's official website. He is a security professional and retired U.S. Air Force senior noncommissioned officer who also works as a paramedic, per his candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$1,200 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Karen Custer Nonpartisan
Karen Custer's professional background includes work as a principal process engineer, project engineer and process safety and risk engineer, and she co-founded a general contracting company, per her candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, serves as a Guardian ad Litem for five children, and is a board member of the Kiwanis Club and a life member of VFW Post 8205 Auxiliary, per her candidate filing. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$1,933.68 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: incumbent Ward I Commissioner Bobby J. Birdsell and challenger Karen Custer meet on the November 3 general ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list and the City of Callaway's official website. Every voter in the city votes on this seat; the ward is a residency requirement for the officeholder.
Full race pageCallaway Commissioner, Ward 2Nonpartisan race · Jamie Kirkland · Spring Overway
Jamie Kirkland Nonpartisan
Jamie Kirkland is a candidate for Callaway Commissioner, Ward 2, on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$302.23 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Spring Overway Nonpartisan
Spring Overway has a background in banking, billing, accounts receivable and local insurance work, per her candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. She has served on the Callaway Planning Board for three years, currently as vice chair, was raised in Panama City, and is a military spouse of 24 years, per her candidate filing. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$1,650 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: Jamie Kirkland and Spring Overway meet on the November 3 general ballot for this open seat, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. A third candidate, Shannon Aufdencamp, did not qualify. Incumbent Ward II Commissioner David Griggs, per the City of Callaway's official website, is not a candidate in this race. Every voter in the city votes on this seat; the ward is a residency requirement for the officeholder.
Full race pagePanama City Beach Council, Ward 1Nonpartisan race · Carlos Sanchez · Grant Wittstruck
Carlos Sanchez Nonpartisan
- Safety first, including disaster preparedness
- Streamlining city services and utility infrastructure
Per the campaign site.
About Carlos Sanchez
Carlos Sanchez served more than 23 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant, with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, per his campaign site. His career has also included federal government and municipal infrastructure and public works roles.
$28,889.91 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Grant Wittstruck Nonpartisan
- Public safety, including support for law enforcement and emergency preparedness
- Long-term planning for water, sewer, stormwater and transportation infrastructure
- Protecting neighborhoods, beaches, fisheries and parks as the city grows
Per the campaign site.
About Grant Wittstruck
Grant Wittstruck is a small business owner and nearly 15-year resident of Panama City Beach, per his candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections and his campaign site. He has volunteered on the city's Planning Board, the Half-Cent Sales Tax Oversight Committee, Beach Care Services, the Grand Lagoon Coalition and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Executive Board.
$54,297.2 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: Carlos Sanchez and Grant Wittstruck meet on the November 3 general ballot for this open seat, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. A third candidate, Scott Heilmann, did not qualify. Every voter in the city votes on this seat; the ward is a residency requirement for the officeholder.
Full race pagePanama City Beach Council, Ward 3Nonpartisan race · Mary Coburn · Nicholas Atkinson
Mary Coburn Nonpartisan Incumbent
Mary Coburn is the incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember, first elected in 2022, per the City of Panama City Beach's official staff directory. She had a 30-year career in downtown revitalization work, most recently managing the Clean and Safe program for the Downtown Long Beach Alliance in California, per her candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. She represents the City Council on the Transportation Planning Organization and serves as Vice Chair of the St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bays Estuary Program Policy Board. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$3,272.2 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
Nicholas Atkinson Nonpartisan
- Protecting quality of life and supporting responsible growth
- Keeping the city safe and thriving
Per the candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections.
About Nicholas Atkinson
Nicholas Atkinson has more than 20 years of military service and currently works at Naval Support Activity Panama City, per his candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
$10,350 raised, per Supervisor of Elections filings.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Coburn and challenger Nicholas Atkinson meet on the November 3 general ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. Every voter in the city votes on this seat; the ward is a residency requirement for the officeholder.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Alyssa Finneyfrock · Greg Porta
Alyssa Finneyfrock Nonpartisan
Alyssa Finneyfrock is a candidate for Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District Seat 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Greg Porta Nonpartisan
Greg Porta is a candidate for Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District Seat 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: Alyssa Finneyfrock and Greg Porta meet on the November 3 general ballot for this open seat on the Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District Board of Supervisors, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. Seat 2 incumbent David Dean's term expires in November 2026, per the district's official website, and he is not a candidate in this race. Only voters who live inside the district vote on this seat.
Full race pageLake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District, Seat 5Nonpartisan race · Kenneth Black · Tim Rosson
Kenneth Black Nonpartisan Incumbent
Kenneth Black is the Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District's Seat 5 supervisor, appointed August 5, 2024, per the district's official website. He is retired from the utility industry, per his candidate filing with the Bay County Supervisor of Elections. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Tim Rosson Nonpartisan
Tim Rosson is a candidate for Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District Seat 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
This race was not on the August 18 primary ballot: incumbent Supervisor Kenneth Black and challenger Tim Rosson meet on the November 3 general ballot for Seat 5 of the Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District Board of Supervisors, per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official candidate list. A third candidate, Kevin Williams, withdrew. Only voters who live inside the district vote on this seat.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Find your districts by addressFlorida Senate District 2Lauren Donahoo (D) · Jay Trumbull (R)
Lauren Donahoo Democratic
Lauren Donahoo is the Democratic candidate for Florida Senate District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Jay Trumbull Republican Incumbent
- Support for elderly Floridians
- Addressing inflation
- Disaster recovery and community rebuilding
Per the campaign site.
About Jay Trumbull
Jay Trumbull has served in the Florida Senate since 2022 and previously served in the Florida House from 2014 to 2022, where he chaired the Appropriations Committee, per the Florida Senate's official website. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services and represents Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties and part of Okaloosa County, per the Florida Senate's official website.
Lauren Donahoo (Democratic), Jay Trumbull (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida Senate District 2; Jay Trumbull is the sitting member, per the Florida Senate' official roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageFlorida House District 6Tricia Berry (R) · Stephanie Lyn Leonard (D)
Tricia Berry Republican
- Supporting local businesses and affordability
- Conservative governance in Tallahassee
Per the campaign site.
About Tricia Berry
Tricia Berry previously worked as a nurse practitioner specializing in burn surgery, trauma orthopedic surgery and dermatology at Level One trauma centers, per her campaign site. She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Gulf Coast State College Board of Trustees and has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and the Life Management of NW Florida Foundation Board, per her campaign site.
Stephanie Lyn Leonard Democratic
Stephanie Lyn Leonard is the Democratic candidate for Florida House District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.
Tricia Berry (Republican), Stephanie Lyn Leonard (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Florida House District 6. Not on the November ballot: Philip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts Jr., the sitting member per the roster. Major-party nominees were chosen at the August 18 primary or advanced unopposed; minor-party and no-party-affiliation candidates qualify directly for the November ballot. The field is the Florida Division of Elections' certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageAlready decided at the primary
Already decided at the primary1 seat settled at the 2026 primary; not on the November 3 ballot
These seats were settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Full fields and profiles stay on each race page.
District Schools School Board Member, District 2: Ginger Littleton won the seat.
DECIDED August 18: Ginger Littleton won with 51.6 percent of the vote (16,154 votes) over Michael Petty (48.4 percent, 15,160 votes), per the Bay County Supervisor of Elections' official results; this race will not appear on the November 3 ballot.
1 other ran; see the full raceSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Bay County, Florida on November 3, 2026?
Bay County sample ballot 2026: see where the callaway commissioner and Bay district schools school board member candidates stand on roads and growth. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Florida?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are listed on the Florida election hub. Florida election hub →
Which Bay County races were already decided at the primary?
1 race was settled at the 2026 primary and will not appear on the November 3 ballot. The results and full candidate fields stay on each race page in the section above.
How do I see my exact Bay County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Bay County12 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.