Ates and Light Set to Join Santa Rosa County Commission After Primary Wins

Two new commissioners are headed to the Santa Rosa County Commission after Florida's primary election reshaped a pair of the board's seats. Jeff Ates won the Republican primary for District 2, ousting incumbent Kerry Smith, while Dean Light claimed the District 4 seat outright after no Democratic candidate filed to run this fall. The Santa Rosa County Commission oversees county government for the fast-growing Florida Panhandle county, setting policy on infrastructure, public safety coordination, land use and county services for a population that Light estimated at roughly 200,000 residents.

District 2: Ates Eyes Infrastructure for East Milton

Ates said his top priority is boosting infrastructure in East Milton as the district continues to grow, pointing specifically to the area's lack of nearby medical care.

"I'd like to say we're the dangerous district. No urgent care, no medical facility, no medical help whatsoever. They do stage some ambulances out there in various points, so my top priority is getting an urgent care center out there," Ates said. "I know the county owns about 80% of the assets to do that, so that makes it a low hanging fruit for me to accomplish. We have everything we need, it just takes someone going in there and laying it all out." Ates ran on more than 30 years of experience in environmental work, which he said gives him a track record on infrastructure and public amenities. "It's very simple. If infrastructure is an issue and amenities for the public are a priority to them, I'm the guy with a proven track record to do that," he said. Ates' primary win does not end his campaign, however. He is set to face write-in candidate John Williams in the November general election.

District 4: Light Wins Seat, Focuses on Roads and Communication

In District 4, Dean Light defeated incumbent Ray Eddington by roughly 700 votes, taking about 51% of the vote. With no opposing candidate on the ballot for the general election, Light's primary victory secures him the seat. Light said his campaign centered on strengthening communication between residents and their commissioners.

"I really feel to represent the 40,000 people in my district and the 200,000 people in the county that I need to be out talking to the people, because that's the only way I'm going to know what they really need or really want," Light said. Among his priorities is connecting more local roads to Highway 98, a change he said could ease traffic congestion and give drivers alternate routes during emergencies. "That would alleviate traffic if, like, an accident happens, people can get off the road instead of having to sit there, so that's a little short-range thing we could do within a couple of years," Light said.

What's Next

Light's seat is settled heading into the fall, while Ates' race remains technically contested against a write-in opponent in November. Write-in candidates rarely draw significant support in Florida elections, but the contest keeps District 2 on the general election ballot for Santa Rosa County voters.

How Florida’s primary rules shaped these races

Florida holds closed primaries, meaning only voters registered with a party can vote in that party’s primary. The state constitution makes an exception when every candidate for an office belongs to the same party and the winner will face no opposition in the general election; in that case, the primary is opened to all voters regardless of party. A write-in candidate who qualifies for the general election counts as opposition under that rule, which keeps the primary closed to Republicans only — the situation in District 2, where John Williams is running as a write-in.

Santa Rosa County commissioners serve four-year terms. Under Florida law, newly elected county commissioners take office on the second Tuesday following the November general election.