Daniel Kowal and Daniel Zegarac are running to represent Collier County Commission District 4 in the Aug. 18, 2026, primary. Because both candidates are from the same party – Republican – and there will be no opposition in November, all District 4 voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote. The winner will be decided in August.
This post will summarize each candidate’s background, professional experience, stated priorities, campaign finances, endorsements, and publicly available resources.
For more information about the office, please visit the Collier County Board of County Commissioners: A Sparker’s Primer Post.
In this post:
What Does the Board of County Commissioners Do?
The five-member Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is Collier County’s legislative and governing body. It is responsible for setting policies that protect the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of the county’s residents and visitors. This includes approving the County Government’s annual operating budget and capital improvements program. It also includes, but is not limited to, taxation, human services, public safety, land use and development decisions, roadways and traffic, legislating local laws and ordinances, water quality and water treatment, and solid waste, as well as coordination with federal, state, city, and school district partners on many of these matters.
Daniel Kowal
Background
Daniel Kowal, 59, is the incumbent Collier County Commissioner for District 4 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Upon graduating from high school in 1984, he entered a six-year commitment to the U.S. Army as a Combat Medic with the 5th Infantry Division’s 705th combat search and rescue platoon. He was honorably discharged in 1989. (website; official county bio)
Kowal later worked in law enforcement, studying Criminal Justice at the Community College of Beaver County and graduating with honors from the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Glynco, Georgia. He served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Capitol Police’s Dignitary Protection unit before joining the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in 2003. At CCSO, he worked primarily with the Special Enforcement Team and Vice Narcotics, conducting undercover operations involving major drug seizures and human trafficking. He later completed a degree in Public Administration at Barry University. He and his wife Lauren have six children. (website; official county bio)
Kowal is “Proudly serving as your Collier County Commissioner, District 4 — and running to continue the fight. Smaller government. Constitutional rights. A voice for the forgotten majority.” (Facebook)
Community Service
Through his philanthropic charitable fund, Kowal supports Make-A-Wish, Pace Center for Girls, The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, The Immokalee Foundation, St. Jude’s, and more. He is also active in organizations that give back to those who have served our country, such as Naples Take a Soldier Fishing and Hometown Heroes. (official county bio)
Website and Social Media
- Website: votekowal.com
- Facebook: Vote For Dan Kowal
- Instagram: @votefordankowal
- Official county page: collier.gov — Dan Kowal
Endorsements
- Collier County Republican Executive Committee (CCREC) (Florida’s Voice, 6/4/26)
Daniel Zegarac
Background
Daniel “Dan” Zegarac, ~70, grew up in Avon, Ohio, attended Avon schools, and later attended Kent State University. He began working in the automotive industry while still in high school and eventually rose to become general manager of large auto dealerships, where he gained experience in budgeting, profitability, employee relations, customer service, and operational oversight. (website; patch.com)
From 2010 to 2013, Zegarac was on the Avon, Ohio, City Council, including as City Council president, during a period of growth. He later served on the Willoughby Hills City Council in 2020 and 2021. His campaign website highlights work on public-private partnerships, including a Cleveland Clinic hospital project in Avon, and a CARES Act small-business relief program in Willoughby Hills. He moved to Naples in 2021. (website)
His stated priorities include fiscal responsibility, traffic and infrastructure, small business, workforce housing, public safety, and collaboration with local government. (website)
Community Service
Civic engagement and community service listed on his website include the VFW Auxiliary and Knights of Columbus, Avon, OH, and lifetime membership in the American Legion, Naples. (website)
Website and Social Media
- Campaign website: website
- Facebook: danforcollier
- Instagram: @danforcollier
- LinkedIn: Zegarac Dan
Endorsements
No endorsements were listed on Zegarac’s campaign website as of June 24, 2026.
Campaign Finance
Both candidates significantly self-funded their campaigns: Kowal loaned his campaign $20,000, and Zegarac contributed $24,100 in cash.
Kowal received $3,500 from PACs and political groups: the maximum $1,000 each from Collier Citizens For Responsible Government, Florida Conservative Committee, and Friends of Amira Fox, and $500 from the Southwest Florida Young Republicans. Zegarac received no contributions from political committees.
The campaign finance filings provide only limited insight into Kowal’s donor base. Nearly half of his contributions (28% or 58) came from donors whose occupations were unspecified, while retirees accounted for another 39% (21) of disclosed contributions. As noted above, only $300 of Zegarac’s contributions came from contributors other than himself.
In the News
- Daniel Zegarac launches bid against incumbent Daniel Kowal for Collier County Commission seat (Florida Politics, 02/10/26)
- Incumbent Kowal faces challenger to represent central and East Naples in Collier County, FL (Naples Daily News, 6/22/26)
