A downloadable, printable PDF of this post is available here.
Four candidates are competing for two seats on the Collier Mosquito Control District Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election: two for Seat 2 and two for Seat 3. The district is an independent special district that covers 730 square miles of Collier County. Its five commissioners are elected to serve four-year terms. The race is nonpartisan; Collier County voters who live within the district may vote for one candidate per seat. (Collier Mosquito Control District)
In this post, I summarize the backgrounds and stated priorities of the four candidates, along with their endorsements, recent news coverage, and campaign finance data, to help Collier County voters prepare to cast their ballots. I also include links where you can research each candidate further and read their responses to my candidate questionnaire.
Seat 2
Seat 3
Seat 2
Sandra Lee Buxton
Sandra Lee Buxton is the Seat 2 incumbent and is seeking a third term. She currently serves as the district’s treasurer, in a term that runs through 2027. Born and raised in Flint, Mich., she has lived in Naples for 35 years. (candidate questionnaire; Collier Mosquito Control District; campaign website)
Buxton is a registered nurse with a B.S.N. from Maryville University and an M.A. in healthcare administration from Webster University, and she is a licensed Florida healthcare risk manager. She is self-employed and describes more than two decades as a healthcare executive and clinical operations leader in home health, skilled nursing, psychiatric care, assisted living, and community-based healthcare organizations. She is also owner/editor of Life in Naples magazine. (candidate questionnaire; LinkedIn)
Her community service includes past board service with NAMI, membership on the NCH Patient Family Advisory Council, hospice volunteering, chairing Make-A-Wish and other charity events, and teaching ESL for three years at a local church. She is a graduate of Greater Naples Leadership and Leadership Collier. (candidate questionnaire)
Platform
Buxton’s campaign website and candidate questionnaire both frame her priorities as a board member’s responsibilities:
- Governance, oversight of District operations
- Approve the budget and set the millage rate
- Oversee the Executive Director to ensure leadership and staff fulfill the District’s mission
- Ensure all public meetings are open and transparent to increase understanding of the District’s processes and treatment
“My goal for the next 4 years is to continue to support and fulfill my legal obligations as I have in the first two terms.” (campaign website; candidate questionnaire)
Asked to name a board decision in the last four years that she disagreed with, she said, “I haven’t disagreed with any decision or policy because they are all made with thoughtful consideration, and global examination.” (candidate questionnaire)
Decisions she supported and would want to see continued include “hiring the brightest scientists to lead the CMCD Science Department,” “a balanced budget and forecasting to meet the expectation and mission of coverage for the 730 square miles that we are responsible for,” and “transparency during our public meetings enabling public members the opportunity to provide input and feedback.” (candidate questionnaire)
Endorsements
Buxton’s campaign website and candidate questionnaire list more than 40 endorsers, among them Florida House District 81 Rep. Yvette Benarroch and Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. (endorsements page; candidate questionnaire)
In the News
- Sound science used to protect Collier from mosquitoes. (Opinion by Sandra Lee Buxton via Naples Daily News, 9/18/26)
Further Research
- Campaign website
- Facebook (campaign) | Facebook (personal) | LinkedIn
- Sparker’s Soapbox Candidate Questionnaire
- Sparker’s Soapbox prior year election posts: Collier Mosquito Control District (2022) | Collier Mosquito Control District (2018)
Bebe Kanter
Bebe Kanter is challenging Buxton for Seat 2. She grew up in Minneapolis and Williamsville, N.Y. She holds a B.A. from Barnard College and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where she focused on real estate finance and econometrics. (candidate questionnaire)
Kanter describes herself as a policy analyst with a background in commercial real estate finance, zoning compliance, and quantitative analysis. Her career includes positions at Wells Fargo, Washington Mutual, Healthcare Finance Corporation, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She is the founder of SpeakIQ, Renaissance Properties, and Quiet Collier, Inc. (candidate questionnaire; campaign website)
She says she monitors zoning, land development codes, and land use petitions across Collier County, has testified before the Collier County Board of County Commissioners on land development compliance, and has presented aviation noise data to the Rotary Club of Pelican Bay. She has co-chaired the Naples chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. Kanter ran for Collier County Commission District 2 in 2022 as the Democratic nominee. (candidate questionnaire; Quiet Collier, Inc.; Sparker’s Soapbox)
Platform
On her campaign website, Kanter says, “I have a plan to use fewer adulticides and protect the natural habitat.” Her Collier County Supervisor of Elections candidate statement says her primary objective is transitioning the district toward “target-specific vector control methodologies that minimize reliance on pesticides. … [She] advocates for data-driven alternatives, including the deployment of biological controls such as Gambusia holbrooki and targeted source reduction, to minimize chemical drift and manage district tax expenditures responsibly.” (campaign website; Candidate’s Statement)
According to her candidate questionnaire, her priorities if elected would be:
- Public Health Priority: “Preventing mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue, malaria, and dog heartworm remains the top mission.”
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): “Moving the district away from wide-range chemical spraying that kills adult mosquitoes by prioritizing targeted, environmentally safe methods.”
- Biological Vector Controls: “Releasing more Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and supporting habitat for natural predators, including bats, dragonflies, and insect-eating birds.”
- Precision Technology: “Using drones and LiDAR to treat mosquito larvae and physically reducing breeding sources.”
- Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): “Releasing non-biting, sterile male mosquitoes to mate with wild females.”
- Environmental Conservation: “Aligning pest control with native wildlife protection.”
A board decision she disagreed with was its decision “to NOT address the conflict resulting from the two married Commissioners (4) and Sandra Lee Buxton (2) [who] jointly own and publish a periodical that contains political advertising for Sandra Lee.” She says “these concerns warrant an external evaluation.” (candidate questionnaire)
Endorsements
In her candidate questionnaire, Kanter lists the following endorsements:
- Diane Sullivan, Bayshore developer and entrepreneur
- Frank Garofalo, owner, Baci Trattoria
- Jean and David Upton, owners, Jean’s Concierge Services
In the News
- District 2 race for Collier County Commission features two entrepreneurial-minded candidates. (Naples Daily News, 11/1/22)
Further Research
- Campaign website
- Candidate’s Statement
- Quiet Collier, Inc.
- Sparker’s Soapbox Candidate Questionnaire
- Sparker’s Soapbox prior year election posts: Collier Commission District 2 (2022)
Seat 2 Campaign Finances
Sandra Lee Buxton raised a total of $500 (monetary contributions plus in-kind support), all of it from one Collier County donor, a Naples media business.
Bebe Kanter’s $32,438 total includes $25,000 in personal loans, a $5,000 direct contribution, and $2,230 in in-kind support she provided to her own campaign; her one outside donor, a Naples technology company, provided $208 in in-kind social media support. Her most recent report on file covers activity through Sept. 4, 2026.
Kanter reported $14,724 in expenditures. The largest expenditures included $6,300 to one vendor for promotional materials, $2,000 for a campaign video and “campaign advertainment music production,” $1,370 for administrative work and promotional-items reimbursement, $1,000 for campaign manager duties, and a $1,000 donation to the Democratic Party of Collier.
Campaign finance data is from the Collier County Supervisor of Elections’ VoterFocus campaign finance system, downloaded Sept. 27, 2026.
Seat 3
Ed Brandt
Ed Brandt is the Seat 3 incumbent, first elected in 2022, and serves as the district’s vice chair and secretary in a term that runs through 2027. Born in Lancaster County, Pa., he moved to Naples in 2021. (candidate questionnaire; Collier Mosquito Control District)
Brandt holds a B.A. from the University of Findlay, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, a D.Min. from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and an MSS (Master of Strategic Studies) from the U.S. Army War College. He is senior pastor of United Church of Marco Island and was previously pastor of Lely Presbyterian Church. He served nearly 32 years in the National Guard, including as a brigade chaplain in Iraq in 2008, for which he received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. He also served as a General Officer in the U.S. Army leading a strategic vision for the Chaplain Corps. He retired in May 2020 as Chief Chaplain of the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains, with the rank of brigadier general. (campaign website; candidate questionnaire; Coastal Breeze News)
His board service has included serving as a trustee of Lancaster Theological Seminary, a director of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and an auditor for East Earl Township, Pa. Soon after moving to Naples he became involved with Republican politics and in August 2022, the Republican Men’s Club of Collier County appointed him to fill a term on its board. (candidate questionnaire; The Right Men’s Club)
Platform
Brandt’s campaign website lists his “Promise for the Next Term”:
- Continue aggressive, responsible mosquito control
- Expand education on personal protection and source reduction
- Fight any attempts to weaken or eliminate the District
- Ensure Collier remains one of Florida’s safest counties from mosquito-borne illness
According to his candidate questionnaire, his top concern is “the safety and health of residents of Collier County and the employees of CMCD. I want to maintain low taxes, efficient treatment, and prompt response to concerns raised by the residents within the CMCD.”
A board decision he disagreed with: “I disagreed with flat cola [cost-of-living adjustment] instead of a percentage for employees.” (candidate questionnaire)
A board action he supported and would want to see continued: “The continued upgrade of equipment for the district.” (candidate questionnaire)
Endorsements
According to his candidate questionnaire, Brandt has been endorsed by:
- Yvette Benarroch, Florida House District 81 Representative
In the News
- Lely Presbyterian searches through pandemic to find its pastor-plus. (Marco Eagle, 3/31/21)
- Retired brigadier general’s latest mission. (Coastal Breeze News, 6/24/21)
- Retired chaplain, brigadier general growing Lely Presbyterian. (Coastal Breeze News, 4/6/23)
- Controlling the sting: How Collier Mosquito Control works. (Coastal Breeze News, 6/20/24)
- Meet the Leadership Marco Class of 2025 – Part One. (Coastal Breeze News, 8/7/25)
- Florida property tax cuts could impact mosquito control funding. (Gulf Coast News, 5/28/26)
- Celebrating America through local eyes: Ed Brandt. (Coastal Breeze News, 6/11/26)
Further Research
- Campaign website
- Facebook | LinkedIn
- Sparker’s Soapbox Candidate Questionnaire
- Sparker’s Soapbox prior year election posts: Collier Mosquito Control District (2022)
Jay Kohlhagen
Jay Kohlhagen is challenging Brandt for Seat 3. On his campaign website, he says, “I’ve lived in Collier County for 46 years, and I’m running because I believe residents deserve greater transparency and thoughtful oversight when it comes to the chemicals being sprayed across our community.” (campaign website)
His website describes more than 46 years of experience in high-rise construction as a senior superintendent who has “overseen complex, large scale builds from ground to completion,” with a portfolio that includes Hammock Bay and Provence. (campaign website)
Kohlhagen is an active member of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee. He served on a community task force during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been involved with the Eagles Nest Community Garden, the Mosquito Brigade volunteer group, and St. Peter Catholic Church. No prior candidacy for public office was found. (campaign website)
Platform
Kohlhagen’s campaign website presents his priorities under a section titled “My Priorities”:
- Protect Public Health
- Use Science and Data
- Respect Taxpayer Dollars
- Improve Transparency
- Put Residents First
- Chemical Accountability
Endorsements
According to his campaign website, Kohlhagen has been endorsed by:
- Blanche Sullivan, Henry Heuer, and Debra Fox, Collier County residents
In the News
- Collier GOP says Proud Boys, Antifa ‘might make an appearance’ at Naples Pride Fest. (Gulf Coast News, 6/4/25)
- Grassroots group pushes CMCD to cut spending, embrace nature-based mosquito control. (Gulf Coast News, 6/24/25)
Further Research
- Campaign website
- Facebook (personal)
- Sparker’s Soapbox Candidate Questionnaire: not received
Seat 3 Campaign Finances
Ed Brandt’s $5,908 total includes a $1,000 personal loan and $1,358 in in-kind campaign items he provided to his own campaign; the remaining $3,550 came from nine outside donors, all from Collier County.
Jay Kohlhagen’s $2,395 total includes $220 he contributed to his own campaign; the remaining $2,175 came from eight outside donors, six of whom were from Collier County.
Campaign finance data is from the Collier County Supervisor of Elections’ VoterFocus campaign finance system, downloaded Sept. 27, 2026.
This post was researched and drafted with the assistance of Claude (Anthropic AI). The content was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by the author. Both humans and AI can make mistakes. Please let us know if you spot one.
