Republican Daniel Zegarac, a retired automotive executive and former City Council President in Ohio, announced Monday that he is running for Collier County Commission in District 4.
Zegarac said his campaign will focus on practical solutions to everyday issues such as traffic congestion, workforce housing, infrastructure, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. He will face incumbent Republican County Commissioner Daniel Kowal, a U.S. Army veteran and retired law enforcement officer, in the Primary Election.
“People want to see progress,” Zegarac said in a campaign announcement. “They want traffic solutions that work, responsible growth, and a county government that respects taxpayers. I’m running to bring common sense, oversight, and proven leadership to Collier County.”
Zegarac brings prior local government experience from Ohio, where he served on City Council from 2010 until 2013 — including a term as Council President — and again from 2020 to 2021. During that time, he worked on public-private partnerships tied to large-scale development projects, including efforts to bring a Cleveland Clinic hospital to his community.
According to his campaign, that project required construction of a new interstate interchange, and Zegarac helped negotiate an agreement in which developers, rather than taxpayers, paid a significant portion of the cost. Zegarac also highlighted his role during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he helped lead a CARES Act relief program supporting small and micro-businesses. He also served on committees responsible for hiring police chiefs and senior municipal staff.
Zegarac is a father of five and is involved in several civic and veterans organizations, including the VFW Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
He moved to Naples in 2021 and has spent the past several years closely following decisions made by Collier County government. Zegarac said future policy decisions should emphasize disciplined spending, cooperation with the City of Naples and support for small businesses, which he described as central to the local economy.
“As Republicans, we believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability,” Zegarac said. “Collier County should remain a county of opportunity in the great state of Florida — without wasting taxpayer money or overregulating the people who create jobs.”
