provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Progressives of the Islands (POI), today announced its endorsements for the August 18, 2026, Florida primary election. The organization provides critical information on issues confronting the islands of Sanibel and Captiva and champions candidates and organizations that offer progressive solutions to these challenges.
After a thorough review of candidates’ qualifications, campaign viability, and alignment with progressive values, POI is endorsing seven candidates across five contested races, ranging from the Florida U.S. Senate special election to Lee County School Board seats.
“An informed, engaged electorate is the foundation of a strong democracy,” said Chairwoman Annette Pacyga. “These endorsements reflect our careful deliberation and our commitment to championing candidates who offer real, progressive solutions to the challenges facing our community and our state.”
Endorsed Candidates
U.S. Senate, Florida (Special Election): Alexander Vindman
POI endorses retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman for the Democratic nomination in Florida’s U.S. Senate special election. A Purple Heart recipient and 21-year military veteran, Vindman served as the Director of European Affairs for the National Security Council and holds advanced degrees from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. He enters the primary with $6.4 million in campaign funds, positioning him as the most viable Democratic candidate in the race.
U.S. House of Representatives, FL-19: Victor Arias
POI endorses attorney Victor Arias for Florida’s 19th Congressional District. A Cape Coral-based lawyer with more than 35 years of experience in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and Social Security law, Arias also brings direct public-sector experience as a former staff attorney for the Lee County and St. Lucie County School Districts. His campaign focuses on economic opportunity, Everglades restoration, and anti-corruption reform in Congress.
Governor of Florida: David Jolly
POI endorses David Jolly for Governor of Florida. A former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District (2014-2017), attorney, and political commentator, Jolly is a graduate of Emory University and George Mason University Law School. Originally elected as a Republican, he became an independent critic of the GOP before formally joining the Democratic Party in 2025. His campaign has raised $3,782,135, far outpacing the combined fundraising of his five Democratic opponents. Jolly has selected former Congresswoman and former U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary Gwen Graham as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
Chief Financial Officer: Annette Taddeo
POI endorses Annette Taddeo for Florida Chief Financial Officer. A former Florida State Senator (2017-2022) representing Miami-Dade County and the first Latina Democrat elected to the Florida Senate, Taddeo also founded and operated LanguageSpeak, a multilingual translation and interpretation company, for more than 30 years. Her combined legislative experience and record as a small-business owner make her uniquely qualified to oversee the state’s finances and consumer protection functions.
Commissioner of Agriculture: Donald A. “Don” Prichard
POI endorses Pembroke, Florida Police Captain Donald A. “Don” Prichard who has spent his career in the police force, first as a Broward County sheriff’s deputy, then in Iraq after 9/11 as a Florida National Guardsman, now with Pembroke. He took lessons learned in Iraq to improve relationships between police and the communities they serve — a task he has also taken to police in Brazil, Turkey, and other countries. While Prichard has led an admirable career, he has no campaign website and few donations; his plans for Agriculture Commissioner are unknown.
His primary opponent, Joey Mendoza Atkins, also has no website and no campaign donations. He started as a candidate for US Senate and dropped out when Alexander Vindman entered the race. His donation page and Facebook posts point to his Senate run.
Lee County School Board, At-Large District 1: Jenn McDaigle
POI endorses Jenn McDaigle for Lee County School Board District 1, representing Cape Coral, Sanibel, and Fort Myers Beach. A first-time candidate with a background in youth psychology and corporate leadership at technology companies including Instacart and Zeta Global, McDaigle’s candidacy is informed by her family’s firsthand experience navigating Lee County’s special education system. Her platform calls for future-ready schools, stronger teacher retention, and expanded support for arts and hands-on learning.
Lee County School Board, At-Large District 6: India Palencia
POI endorses India Palencia for Lee County School Board District 6. A community advocate and mother of children currently enrolled in Lee County public schools, Palencia has been an active voice on local education issues, including organizing community protests against proposed school budget cuts. Her platform prioritizes fair educator compensation, expanded student mental health resources, and transparent fiscal management of the school district.
No Recommendation in Judicial Races
POI is making no recommendation in the three judicial races on the August ballot: Circuit Judge 20th Judicial Circuit Group 19, Circuit Judge 20th Judicial Circuit Group 27, and County Judge Group 5. In the Group 19 race, both the incumbent James Stewart and challenger Vera Bergermann are accomplished attorneys with meaningful records of public service. In the remaining two races, the candidates present no meaningful differences relevant to the goals of the POI.
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