On WCOA, we had the two candidates facing off for Escambia County Commission District 4 seat.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 4
Term: Four years
Salary: $92,738 (source: edr.state.fl.us)
Myra Van Hoose (Democrat)
myravanhoose.com
A former certified public accountant, Van Hoose has most recently served as Achieve Escambia’s interim director. In 2021, she was the Monument to Women Veterans donor relations director. She served as president of the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida, 2018-2020, and is a founding member of the Equity Project Alliance. Van Hoose pledges to bring back honor to the county commission and focus on our community rather than on self-enrichment.
Myra Van Hoose makes her case to be the next county commissioner for District 4.
Robert Bender (Republican, incumbent since 2018)
voterobertbender.com
An MBA and former insurance consultant, Bender has been a full-time commissioner since being elected in 2018. He served as commission chairman during the COVID pandemic and the recovery from Hurricane Sally. Bender pushed for an automated toll booth on Pensacola Beach that helped the beach handle record traffic numbers this past summer. He also helped broker the deal that led to a mixed-use plan for OLF-8. He has a reputation for thoughtful, deliberate leadership.
Robert Bender makes his case to serve a second term as the county commissioner for District 4.