Voters in Osceola County Commission District 5, which covers a huge section of the rural eastern and southern portions of the county and most of the City of St. Cloud, will determine their commissioner among two Republican candidates in the August 20 primary.
Incumbent Ricky Booth is seeking a second term in District 5, He previously represented the district on the Osceola County School Board from 2014-2020.
“I am the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of fighting against residential development, supporting our firefighters and law enforcement officers, protecting our agricultural and environmental lands,” said Booth.
If he wins another term, Booth said he wants to continue the transportation infrastructure improvements that benefit District 5, such as the current widening of Neptune and Boggy Creek Roads.
“I will continue to fight for more upgrades to the Turnpike even as they expand lanes deeper into Osceola and add access points. I will continue to fight for funding of Cross Prairie Parkway and alternate connections in the Narcoossee corridor,” he said.
He also emphasized working to get Osceola high school graduates ready for the workforce by providing opportunities for college and trade schools.
Dianna Liebnitzky, a healthcare administrator who lives in St. Cloud, announced her run for District 5 last month after withdrawing from the race for Florida House of Representatives District 35. She previously ran unsuccessfully for House District 42 in 2020.
“I have lived in the district for 10 years, and so many changes have been made that are not in the best interest of people in the district, including pet projects by past commissioners where there is no accountability. It seems we get the polar opposite from the county commission than what the district residents want and need,” said Liebnitzky.
If elected, Liebnitzky wants to see stronger guidance formally implemented to govern commissioners’ actions.
“We need to change course by using policy and procedures that must be adhered to,” Liebnitzky said.
With no Democratic candidates qualifying for the District 5 race, whoever emerges as the winner in the August Republican primary will become the next county commissioner.
Information on all of the candidates in the upcoming elections, including financial information and donors, can be found on the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections website at www.VoteOsceola.gov/ Current-Candidates .
