One of the Panhandle’s more prominent and rising politicians is getting into another run to keep his post in one of the largest cities in the region.

Darcy “D.C.” Reeves made it official this month when he entered his campaign filing with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office to seek reelection for Mayor of Pensacola. He joins a growing number of candidates seeking the mayoral seat in Pensacola, which is officially a nonpartisan race.

While it may be a post without party designations, Reeves is a Republican who is steeped in party politics after an initial career in journalism and then a businessman in Pensacola who owns a microbrewery in the city. Other candidates who’ve officially filed with the elections office for a run for the Mayor’s job in Pensacola include Jasmine Brown, Alicia Ann Trawick and Ann Hill.

The only candidate in the Pensacola Mayor’s race who has any campaign contributions that have been officially filed is Hill. According to the elections office, Hill has raised a total of $2,757.44 in in-kind and monetary contributions. None of the other candidates have reported any campaign contributions at all.

Reeves won the mayor’s race in 2022 without requiring a run-off. He clinched the post in the August 22, 2022 primary by nabbing just over 51% of the vote with about 7,700 ballots. That negated the necessity for another vote in the November general election.

Reeves bested three other candidates, none of which garnered more than 20% of the vote. None of those candidates who lost in 2022 have filed for candidacy yet for the 2026 race for Mayor in Pensacola.

Reeves posted on his X social media account he is enthused to seek another term as the top elected official in Pensacola.

“This office is never about me — it’s about us. I love this community and our 880 amazing city employees who make it great. We’ve hit all-time highs in progress and engagement, but our work isn’t done. I’ve filed to run again to keep Pensacola moving, Let’s ride,” Reeves said in his post issued on Saturday.

The 2026 Pensacola Mayor’s the primary election in Escambia County is set for Aug. 18 and the general election will take place Nov. 3.

If you’re not from the United States, then don’t take taxpayers’ money.

That’s the message of a new bill in the House of Representatives from Florida Republican Randy Fine that posits benefits are “for Americans” and not “for the world.”

“Americans are being robbed,” said Fine. “Somalians, illegals, and even legal immigrants are getting free handouts at the expense of American taxpayers. That is insane, it is immoral, and it must stop.”

Fine’s bill would end welfare eligibility for non-citizens, closing the door to what his office calls “loopholes and carveouts” for this class of beneficiaries that have been in place since President Bill Clinton’s first term.

“Hardworking Americans should not be paying for non-citizens’ healthcare, free housing, food stamps, Medicaid, or anything else for that matter. Citizens come first. Period,” Fine continued. “My legislation will ensure that non-citizens don’t receive any government benefits from the taxpayer. If you want free stuff, then you need to go home.”