Shroyer, Downey will vie for County Commission seat in November
Anthony Nieves defeated Jorge Figueroa Tuesday night to secure the Democratic nomination—and with it the open Florida House District 47 seat. Nieves took 53.41% of the vote (7,267 votes) and Figueroa had 46.59% (6,339 votes).
Nieves’s primary victory effectively elects him to the House since Republican incumbent Paula Stark, who had represented House District 47 since 2022, failed to qualify for the 2026 ballot after her campaign treasurer did not submit required paperwork by the deadline. No other Republican or Independent candidate entered the race, leaving an open primary between Democrats Nieves and Figueroa to decide the seat.
“The voters of District 47 didn’t vote for the smokescreen, as those against us were sending one set of target ads to Democrats and another to Republicans,” Nieves said.
Nieves, 51, a former state financial-crimes investigator who is now a full-time caregiver to his son who has autism, previously sought the seat in 2022 and 2024, narrowly losing the 2022 general election to Paula Stark. “Now comes the time of repair,” Nieves said. “I’ve got Republicans that are furious that Paula Stark wasn’t able to requalify. I have to mend those bridges. I’ve got a mayor who took a chance on me – Mayor Chris Robertson of St. Cloud – who is receiving tons of slack for endorsing a Democrat. So this one is not only a win for me – it’s a win for unity and it’s a win to establish a clean slate.”
In District 46, Jose Alvarez will move on to Nov. 3 in an attempt to retain his House seat after defeating Dr. Robert LeWayne Johnson with 65.64% of the Democratic primary vote on Tuesday.
Just like in 2024, Alvarez will face Republican Michael Cruz and NPA candidate Dr. Ivan Rivera in the general election.
“We’re proud of the work our team’s done and happy the voters still support the work I do and hopefully keep representing them. The scenario’s the same for November but we’ll take nothing for granted, and continue to work hard and knock on doors and talk with our constituents — they’re my bosses, and I hope they’re happy with my work.”
County Commission District 4
In the race to succeed three-term County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, it will be Democrat Mary Downey and Republican Donnie Shroyer facing off in November.
Downey claimed an overwhelming 63.21% percent of the primary vote over opponents Rafael Lebron and Jose Gonzalez.
“We’ve worked very, very hard for 19 months meeting people, knocking on almost 2,000 doors and I won by 2,000 votes, so those conversations at the doors is symbolic,” Downey said. “People saw I’m a person who wants to listen and work to help this community.
“We have even more doors to knock over the next three months, to get to know me and I want to know them and hear their concerns, and figure out how to be the best county commissioner for them to provide the best place to live, work and play as part of the next part of the journey.”
Shroyer, a former St. Cloud City Council member, pulled in 57% of the Republican vote in the victory over Osceola Action Committee member Nelly Hernandez.
“It think the majority of Osceola County knows about Donnie Shroyer’s history and wants to see some of the projects I worked on in St. Cloud competed,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough road over the next three months and we have to find a way to win.”
Also in November, District 2 Democratic incumbent Viviana Janer will go for a fourth term against Republican and former Kissimmee mayor Olga Gonzalez.
