Incumbent Lisa Yeager Faces Jonathon Deckard, But Only Republicans Will Get To Vote In The Primary
The 2026 Midterm Primary Election is quickly approaching — it will be held on Tuesday, August 18 — and while most eyes in Florida will be focused on the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections, the Neighborhood News will be focused on the local races impacting us right here in Wesley Chapel — including the race for the District 4 seat on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOC).
Please note that even though part of Wesley Chapel is located in District 1 and the other part in District 2, those seats are not up for grabs on Aug. 18 (although the Dist. 2 election between incumbent Republican Seth Weightman and Democratic challenger Stephanie Vazquez will be held on Nov. 3). However, all Pasco BOC and School Board seats are elected countywide.
In the Aug. Primary Election, only registered Republican voters in Pasco will be eligible to vote for one of the two declared Republican candidates in Dist. 4 — incumbent Commissioner Lisa Yeager and businessman and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jonathon Deckard, thanks to the last-day-to-qualify entry of write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez, who will not be able to receive votes on Aug. 18, but his addition to the race makes the Republican contest a “Closed Primary,” meaning no one other than registered Republicans will be able to vote in Aug. in Dist. 4.
The winner of Yeager vs. Deckard will face off against Rodriguez — whose name will not even appear on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.
Rodriguez’s late entry as a write-in for the second time in four years has generated some controversy. Had Rodriguez not filed, all registered Pasco voters would have been eligible to vote in Aug. for Yeager or Deckard in Dist. 4.
Rodriguez, a registered Republican, doesn’t live in Dist. 4 — just as he didn’t live in Dist. 2 in 2022, when he ran for that seat as a write-in. Dist. 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman won that closed Republican primary and Rodriguez dropped out shortly after the primary, which allowed Weightman to be elected without having to run in the General Election, since neither the Democrats nor any other third party ran a candidate. Rodriguez did not respond by our deadline to our request for an interview, so none of his information is included with this story.
Republican Executive Committee of Pasco chair Troy Stevenson would not speak on the record about the ongoing tactic of his party turning what should be Open Primaries, where all registered voters get to decide who should be elected to any seat, into Closed Primaries with candidates whose names do not even appear on the ballot, who have no chance of winning and will likely again drop out after this Primary.
Notes – 1) We asked both Republican candidates almost all of the same questions, so their separate answers will both be listed following our questions. 2) The fund-raising numbers listed in this story for both candidates are from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections website — PascoVotes.gov — and were accurate as of June 28.
About Candidate Jonathon Deckard
Deckard (right) is a Marine Corps veteran and small business owner. He has worked in the automotive service industry for more than a decade and ran his own mobile auto repair company before selling the business. A first-time candidate seeking to defeat an incumbent, Deckard has raised just under $12,800 for his campaign.
About Commissioner Lisa Yeager
Yeager (left), who was first appointed to the Dist. 4 seat by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, following the passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford, is running for her first full term as County Commissioner. With her incumbent advantage. Yeager has raised $56,350 for her campaign, making her the favorite to retain the seat. Prior to her appointment to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, she was the director for a decade of the Teen Parent Program at Pasco County Schools.
Yeager’s husband, Brad Yeager, is the State Rep. for Florida House Dist. 56.
Questions For Both Candidates:
1) Neighborhood News (NN): Tell our readers about your background and why you’ve decided to run for Dist 4 County Commissioner.
Jonathon Deckard (JD): I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, father of three, husband, business owner and native Floridian. I was born in Dunedin and raised in Palm Harbor, and seven years ago, I made New Port Richey my home. Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of rapid over-development, overcrowded roads and decisions that don’t prioritize the people who live here. My service in the Marine Corps instilled in me the values of integrity, accountability and the courage to stand up and fight for what’s right.
Lisa Yeager (LY): I ran for County Commission because I believe our residents deserve a leader who not only serves them, but fights for them. As a small business owner and someone who spent years working with at-risk youth, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges families face as they struggle to make ends meet, recover from hardship, and create opportunity for the next generation. County government should help people succeed — not stand in their way.
That means lowering taxes, protecting our quality of life from unchecked growth, strengthening our community against flooding and storms and creating opportunities for our children and families to thrive. These principles have guided every decision I have made during my first two years on the Commission, and they will continue to guide me as I seek the privilege of serving a full term.
2a) NN (for JD only): Should you be elected, what would be an idea or policy that you would like to get passed your first year in office?
2a) JD: I would like to prioritize infrastructure. I will work to put a temporary moratorium on new residential developments that are more than a few units to allow us to focus on an infrastructure-first plan. Primarily, road development and water supply issues, since we are so far behind.
2b) NN (for LY only): As the incumbent in this race, you’ve been at the forefront of a variety of issues impacting Pasco County. What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment so far and what are you hoping to accomplish should you retain the seat?
2b) LY: I am most proud that during my first two years on the County Commission, we didn’t just talk about problems — we tackled them. Whether it was responding to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, helping establish senior food programs, launching Pasco’s first low-barrier homeless shelter, revitalizing Moon Lake, or cutting through red tape for small businesses, I have focused on delivering results that improve people’s everyday lives.
I believe government works best when it is efficient, accountable and action-oriented. That’s why I fought to roll back the tax rate, partnered with the School District to expand parks and athletic facilities while saving taxpayers money and championed economic development projects that are creating jobs and strengthening our local economy. From neighborhood cleanups that removed hundreds of tons of debris to major investments like Moffitt’s Speros campus and new manufacturing opportunities in Pasco, I have worked every day to be the kind of commissioner who rolls up her sleeves, gets things done and never forgets who she works for.
3) NN: A common complaint we hear from our readers is that Pasco County is being overdeveloped or developed too quickly, often causing infrastructure and public safety to lag behind. Do you agree with that assessment and what do you think needs to be the future of Pasco County as it pertains to development?
3) JD: Yes, I 100-percent agree. I think we need to prioritize slowing residential development in the future, after a temporary moratorium is completed, for new residential development. We need to require larger lot sizes per house to maintain green space throughout the county and be more strict on tree removal and replenishment.
3) LY: Development is happening fast, too fast in many cases. The growth we have experienced puts pressure on our infrastructure, our ability to plan smartly and to keep Pasco County affordable for our residents. Growth should be smart, thoughtful, consider future needs and be truly in the best interests of Pasco residents.
4) NN: Some readers have raised concerns about write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez’s entry into the race, thus closing off the GOP Primary to independents and Democratic voters who believe they aren’t getting a voice in the race. Other readers agree that the Republican candidate should be selected only by Republican voters. Where do you fall on this issue?
4) JD: I believe every registered voter deserves a voice in choosing their elected officials.
When a race has only Republican candidates, Florida’s Closed Primary law normally allows all voters to participate if the winner will effectively take office. However, when a write-in candidate qualifies for the General Election, the Primary is closed to non-Republican voters, even if the write-in campaign is minimal.
Four years ago, Louie Rodriguez qualified as a write-in candidate, raised no campaign funds, and later withdrew after the Primary. If he is willing to publicly campaign, participate in debates and demonstrate that he is genuinely seeking to serve the people, then I have no issue with him appearing on the General Election ballot.
But until then, I believe this is simply a tactic that closes the Primary and prevents many Pasco County residents from having a voice.
A large portion of our county is made up of independent voters who lean conservative and regularly support Republican candidates. Because of this situation, they are denied the opportunity to vote in what is effectively the election that decides their county commissioner.
Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, independent, or belong to another party, I believe every American deserves the opportunity to vote when an elected office is being decided. That’s not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue; it’s a fairness issue.
4) LY: I don’t have comments on the other candidates in this race. I stand on my own merit and welcome the opportunity to make my case to Republicans countywide that I am in the best position to protect our conservative values and help make Pasco County the best place in Florida to raise a family, start a business, or retire.
5) NN: Pasco County, like many other counties across Florida, is considering a data center moratorium. What are your thoughts on data centers and what should be done to address concerns residents have about them?
5) JD: I oppose bringing large AI data centers to Pasco County and will work to prevent them from being built here.
Virginia’s rapid expansion of AI data centers has shown the enormous strain these facilities can place on local communities. They require tremendous amounts of electricity, consume significant water resources, and in some proposals, have been paired with large on-site natural gas power plants to meet their energy demands. Researchers have found that these power plants can increase air pollution and negatively impact public health.
Florida is not the right place for this type of development. Our priority should be protecting our aquifer, preserving our natural environment and ensuring our infrastructure serves our residents first, not accommodating energy-intensive projects that place additional demands on our land, water and electrical systems.
Other parts of the country are better suited for large-scale AI data centers. Pasco County should focus on attracting businesses that create quality jobs while protecting the health, natural resources, and quality of life of the people who already call this community home.
5) LY: I support the moratorium on data centers. There are too many unanswered questions and uncertainty [about] data centers for Pasco residents. We need to ensure that the health and safety of our residents are protected.
No comment yet, add your voice below!