The 2026 Lake County Hob Nob was held on Monday, July 27th at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 South US-27. The semi-event, hosted in partnership with the City of Clermont, South Lake Chamber of Commerce, and University of Florida Health, showcased candidates from various levels of government, including state, federal, and local races.
Enthusiasm for the chance to meet candidates in person and ask questions was apparent by the estimated 500 residents who attended. Attendees were not only able to meet the candidates but also to participate in a straw poll organized by the Lake County Supervisor of Elections.
Daniel Whitehouse, the South Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Committee Chairperson, emceed the event, which drew 250 ballots. In his opening comments, Whitehouse urged the importance of the community educating themselves in the selection of candidates before casting votes in the upcoming election.
Winners of the Straw Poll are as follows:
- United States Senator – Ashley Mood
- Representative In Congress District 6 – Randy Fine
- Representative In Congress District 11 – Carey Baker
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor – Byron Donalds
- Attorney General – James Uthmeier
- Chief Financial Officer – Blaise Ingoglia
- Commissioner of Agriculture – Wilton Simpson
- State Representative District 25 – Taylor Yarkosky
- State Representative District 26 – Nan Cobb
- State Representative District 27 – Richard Gentry
- Board of County Commissioners District 2 – Sean Parks
- Board of County Commissioners District 4 – Leslie Campione
- North Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees (Northeast Territory, Seat 2) – Reginald A. Ward
- North Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees (Northwest Territory, Seat 4) – Ricky Harper
- Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit Group 27 – Nicole M. Morris
- School Board District 1 – Pat Kelley
- Clermont City Council Seat 3 (Mayor) – Tim Murry
- Clermont City Council Seat 5 – William “Bill” Petersen
- Groveland City Council District 1 (Mayor) – Keith “Chef” Keogh
- Groveland City Council District 3 – Barbara Gaines
- Groveland City Council District 5 – Amy Jo Carroll
- Lake County School Board Resolution 2026-02 – Yes
As of June 30, 2026, the Lake County Supervisor of Elections reports 277, 802 registered voters in Lake County. Registered Republicans lead the roster at 132, 994 with Democrats trailing at 68, 395. Non-Party Affiliation (NPA) accounts for 65, 889 registered voters and 10, 524 Other. Lake County’s estimated 2026 population is 468, 682 with a growth rate of 2.77% in the past year according to the most recent United States census data.
Election Day for the 2026 Primary Election is August 18th, from 7 am- 7 pm. Early voting, mail-in ballot voting, registration deadlines, and voting locations can be found at www.lakevotes.gov.
