Bay County, Florida

Panama City Beach Council, Ward 1

2 candidates are tracked for Panama City Beach Council, Ward 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Carlos Sanchez and Grant Wittstruck. Candidate information follows official Bay County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

What this office does

City council member. The council is the city's legislative body. It adopts the city budget and tax rate, passes ordinances on zoning, public safety, utilities and local services, and hires the city manager where the charter provides one. Members may represent a district or the whole city.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.

Florida › Bay County › Panama City Beach Council, Ward 1

Carlos Sanchez

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

Safety first, including disaster preparedness
Streamlining city services and utility infrastructure

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Campaign finance

$28,890 raised · county campaign-finance filings

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Grant Wittstruck

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

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.

Biography

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.

Campaign finance

$54,297 raised · county campaign-finance filings

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotPanama City Beach Council, Ward 3

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Panama City Beach Council, Ward 1 in 2026?

When is the Panama City Beach Council, Ward 1 election in Florida?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Florida are on the Florida election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Bay County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Bay County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Florida election office, or see the full Bay County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Bay County ballot

9 tracked races in Bay County, Florida. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District, Seat 2 Lake Powell Residential Golf Community Development District, Seat 5 Florida Senate District 2 See all 9 Bay County races

Candidate profiles

Carlos Sanchez, full profile Grant Wittstruck, full profile Official Florida election office