Politics
4 candidates vie for GOP nomination in HD 74 to succeed James Buchanan
Four Republican candidates are each making their case to succeed term-limited Sarasota Republican state Rep. James Buchanan.
RealManage Division President Les Nichols, Venice Mayor Nick Pachota, former congressional staffer Kelly Ann Walker and Peeples Insurance Agency Founder Jennifer Peeples Winkler are battling for the GOP nomination in House District 74.
Nichols’ campaign highlights his Marine Corps service and decades of experience working with homeowners and condominium associations. Pachota is running on his record as a first responder, local business owner and elected official. Walker is emphasizing her experience in Republican politics. Winkler has focused her campaign on insurance costs and limiting development, along with her business experience.
Nichols has made homeowners and condominium association governance a campaign focal point. He wants greater financial transparency, easier access to records and stronger safeguards for association elections, along with greater accountability for boards and management companies.
He argues that roads, utilities and other infrastructure should keep pace with development. He supports lower taxes and calls for greater government accountability. He also emphasizes public safety, supports tighter abortion restrictions and opposes legalizing recreational marijuana.
Nichols has spent more than 25 years in community association management and now serves as Division President at RealManage. He previously worked in operations for RealManage and spent more than six years as a regional director with Castle Group, and has also served on Sarasota County advisory boards, including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Citizens Tax Oversight Committee and Historical Commission.
He is running on far less money raised than the rest of the field. Nichols’ campaign has raised about $7,300 in contributions and another $4,250 in candidate loans through July 31, while the Friends of Les Nichols political committee has raised just $100 and reported no spending. His campaign has spent about $7,800, leaving the two accounts with under $4,000 combined through July 31.
Pachota’s campaign calls for lower taxes and property insurance costs, public safety and government accountability. He argues growth should not overwhelm existing communities and has called for infrastructure to keep pace with development. His platform also includes abortion restrictions, parental rights, religious freedom and Second Amendment protections.
His campaign also highlights his experience in local government and emergency services. Pachota has served on the Venice City Council since 2019, previously served as Vice Mayor and was elected Mayor in 2022. He has also worked as an EMT, paramedic, firefighter and SWAT medic and remains an EMS instructor for Sarasota County Schools.
Pachota moved to Venice in 1987 and became involved in local civic life early, serving on the Venice Youth Advisory Board and as a Police Explorer. He is also a co-owner of Venice Pier Group, which includes Sharky’s on the Pier and Fins at Sharky’s.
Buchanan endorsed Pachota as his preferred successor, as did Sarasota Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, Florida Professional Firefighters, Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics and other public safety organizations.
Pachota’s campaign and Friends of Nick Pachota have raised about $327,000 in monetary contributions, along with a $100,000 candidate loan. Together, the two accounts have spent about $344,000 through July 31.
Much of that spending has gone toward polling, mail and other voter outreach. Pachota had about $82,500 remaining between his campaign and committee through July 31.
Walker’s platform combines an America First message with support for veterans, agriculture and affordability. She calls for lower property taxes and insurance costs, stronger support for law enforcement, expanded school choice and policies aimed at helping small businesses and military families.
Walker has worked in politics behind the scenes for years. She worked in U.S. Rep. Greg Steube’s office in 2023 and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s office in 2024. She also serves as secretary of the Sarasota-Manatee Young Republicans and sits on the board of Central Florida Warriors Hockey, a nonprofit supporting disabled veterans.
Walker moved to Florida with her family in 2005 and grew up in Manatee County. She attended Lakewood Ranch High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and an MBA from Stetson University. She also worked part-time for Kel-Mar Construction for more than seven years.
Walker has endorsements from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Steube, state Rep. Danny Alvarez and longtime Republican political consultant and lobbyist Roger Stone.
Walker’s campaign has raised about $68,000 in contributions and an additional $270,000 in candidate loans, while Friends of Kelly Ann Walker has raised another $202,000. Kel-Mar Construction has also been a major financial supporter, contributing about $95,000 across her campaign and political committee.
Walker’s campaign and committee have spent nearly $358,000 combined. The two accounts have about $183,000 in cash on hand through July 31, the largest cash reserve in the field.
Winkler is campaigning on affordability, property insurance and greater local control over development. She argues local communities should have more say over growth and maintains conservative positions on public safety, education, workforce development and immigration, abortion and gun rights.
Her campaign also highlights her background in insurance and business. Winkler founded The Peeples Insurance Agency in 2014 after spending 18 years in insurance-industry leadership roles. Her campaign says the company now operates three locations, employs 19 full-time workers and serves more than 6,500 clients statewide.
Winkler also spent nearly a decade in leadership with the Myakka Valley Ranches Improvement Association, first as Vice President and later as President. Her campaign credits that work with improving roads and infrastructure, expanding internet access and pushing back against development pressure. She earned a marketing degree from the University of Central Florida and has lived in Sarasota County since 2009.
Her endorsements include state Sen. Tom Leek, Florida Family Action, Control Growth Now and the Florida League of Republican Voters.
Winkler has raised the most monetary contributions in the Republican field. Her campaign has raised about $138,000, while the Friends of Jennifer Winkler has raised about $255,000, bringing the two accounts to about $392,000 in contributions with no reported loans. That includes a late fundraising surge, bringing in about $125,000 to the committee during the final two reporting periods of July.
Winkler’s campaign and committee have spent nearly $290,000 combined. The two accounts have over $100,000 remaining as of July 31.
The battle between Walker and Winkler got ugly in recent days, with a political committee supporting Walker accusing Winkler of paying “hush money” to Winkler’s ex-husband during the campaign.
“The fact that candidate Kelly Ann Walker would try to insert herself into a couple’s private divorce is despicable and speaks to Walker’s level of immaturity and unfitness for office,” Winkler consultant Tanner Warwick responded.
The Republican nominee will advance to the General Election to face Democrat Ryan Neill, who is unopposed for his party’s nomination. Neill has financed his campaign with a single contribution of about $5,000 from himself. He has spent about $3,800 through July 31, leaving roughly $1,200 available as he waits for the Republican nominee.
The candidates aim to succeed Buchanan, who first won election in 2018.
HD 74 covers much of Sarasota County east of Interstate 75, from the Sarasota area through Venice and south to North Port. Republicans hold more than a 2-to-1 registration advantage, with about 73,600 registered Republicans compared with 32,800 Democrats.
Buchanan won the district with 64% of the vote in 2024.
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