Nassau County voters will decide who controls key local offices in 2026. On the ballot: City Commissioner seats, a County Court Judge position, School Board members, and leadership for Community Development and Special Districts—races that determine how your tax dollars are spent, who sits on the bench, and what happens in your schools.
Nassau NewsLine will track every candidate, every dollar raised, and every issue that matters. No spin. Just the facts you need to vote.
Races to watch
The Board of County Commissioners will see contests in District 2, currently held by A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, and District 4, where Alyson McCullough holds the seat. These races will test voter sentiment on county growth, infrastructure spending, and how Nassau navigates its rapid development.
The School Board is primed for battles across three districts. District 1’s Shannon Hogue faces voters after a term marked by heated debates over curriculum and district priorities. District 3 will see newly appointed Joe Zimmerman defend his seat for the first time at the ballot box. And in District 5, long-serving member Lissa Braddock must answer to constituents as questions about school board governance and transparency remain front and center.
On Amelia Island, all eyes will be on the Fernandina Beach City Commission, where Seat 4—currently held by Mayor-Commissioner James Antun—and Seat 5—held by Vice Mayor-Commissioner Darron Ayscue—are up for grabs. These races will determine the leadership and direction of the island’s largest municipality as it grapples with tourism growth, infrastructure strain, and preserving community character.
Former Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger is mounting a comeback bid for City Commission, setting up a potential showdown for Seat 4.
City Clerk Caroline Best confirmed Wednesday, Oct. 29, that Kreger has officially filed to challenge the seat currently held by Mayor James Antun—who has yet to declare whether he’ll defend it.
Kreger is no stranger to power or persistence. He spent seven years on the commission after winning Seat 5 in 2015, served as vice mayor for six terms, and launched three unsuccessful bids for mayor before term limits forced him out in 2022. A retired U.S. Marine with 24 years of service, he’s stayed in the game on the city’s Board of Adjustment, keeping his hand in municipal decisions and his name in circulation.
The city charter’s term-limit clock has reset, clearing the way for his return. Whether Antun steps up to fight or steps aside will determine if this becomes a political slugfest or a coronation. Either way, Kreger is back.
