With primary elections just around the corner, Citrus County voters face key decisions that will shape the future of a rapidly growing community. In 2024, only 33.85% of the county’s 117,085 registered voters cast ballots, leaving critical local races decided by a small fraction of residents. Officials elected in these contests will influence road repairs, schools, urban planning, and crime prevention, affecting daily life as much as, or more than, federal government decisions.
Citrus County’s population has surged past 172,000, and a commercial boom at the intersection of County Roads 486 and 491 in Lecanto has sparked a heated debate over infrastructure and the preservation of the area’s rural lifestyle. Voters have a direct opportunity to influence how that growth is managed by choosing their next county commissioners. Two contested races are on the primary ballot: Commissioner District 4, featuring Rebecca Bays, Jennifer Grogan, and Holli Herndon, and Commissioner District 2, with Diana Finegan and Stacey Worthington facing off. Residents are encouraged to visit candidate websites and speak with neighbors before casting their votes.
School board races are also on the ballot, and the stakes are significant. School board members represent the nation’s largest group of elected officials, overseeing budgets, funding allocations, school zone boundaries, and curriculum policy decisions. Two candidates, Mike Mullen and John Thrumston, are competing for School Board District 3. Voters can review each candidate’s platform through their official websites before heading to the polls.
A judicial race rounds out the primary ballot. Circuit judges in Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit handle major civil cases involving amounts over $50,000, felony criminal cases, family law, and probate matters, typically serving six-year terms. Nicole M. Morris and Lisa Yeager are both running for Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit, Group 27. Voters can research both candidates through Ballotpedia to make an informed choice. For full local election coverage and candidate information, the Citrus County Chronicle offers ongoing reporting on all races. Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility, and every ballot cast helps determine the direction of Citrus County’s future.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
