Two seats on the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners will be on the ballot in 2026 after incumbents Kenny Thompson and Danny Riddick confirmed they will not seek reelection when their current terms expire. Thompson represents District 2 and Riddick represents District 4. Three candidates have already filed to run for the open seats, signaling a competitive race is taking shape months before qualifying officially closes.

Thompson and Riddick have both served multiple terms on the five-member board, which governs county operations, land use, the county budget, and major infrastructure decisions for Bradford County's roughly 27,000 residents. Their simultaneous departure means the board will see significant turnover heading into 2027, regardless of who wins.

Who Is Running

Three candidates have filed with the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections office as of early March 2026. The Bradford County Telegraph reported the filings on March 10. The qualifying period under Florida law for county commission races runs through June 2026, meaning additional candidates may still enter the race before the deadline. The primary election is scheduled for August 2026, with the general election in November 2026.

Bradford County News will publish candidate profiles as the race develops and qualifying closes. Residents seeking current candidate information can contact the Bradford County Supervisor of Elections office at 904-966-6266 or visit votebradfordfl.gov.

What the Board Handles

The Board of County Commissioners is the primary governing body for Bradford County. The board sets the county's annual budget, oversees county departments, makes land use and zoning decisions, and handles contracts for roads, public safety, and other county services. With two open seats up simultaneously, the 2026 election represents one of the more consequential local races Bradford County has seen in recent years.

The current five-member board consists of Carolyn Spooner representing District 1, Kenny Thompson representing District 2, Chris Dougherty representing District 3, Danny Riddick representing District 4, and Diane Andrews representing District 5. Districts 1, 3, and 5 are not up for election in 2026.

Key Dates

Candidate qualifying closes in June 2026. The primary election is August 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. Voters in Districts 2 and 4 should verify their registration is current at votebradfordfl.gov or by contacting Supervisor of Elections Amanda Seyfang at the Bradford County Courthouse, 945 N. Temple Avenue, Starke.

Bradford County News will continue to follow this race and will report on candidate filings, qualifying results, and candidate positions as the election approaches.