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- Nov 05, 2026, 10:26 PMWho's Representing Us? A Guide to Local Leadership in Winter Springs & Seminole County
Whether we're concerned about our roads, schools, taxes, public safety, development, or the future of our communities, the decisions made by our elected representatives have a direct impact on everyday life.
But do you know who represents us? Winter Springs residents are represented at several levels of government, from City Hall to the Seminole County Commission, the Florida Legislature, and the United States Congress.
Here's a look at who's responsible for representing our community.
1. City of Winter Springs
Winter Springs operates under a Commission/Manager form of government. The Mayor and five-member City Commission establish municipal policies, approve budgets and ordinances, and appoint the City Manager. The City Manager oversees daily city operations.
The Mayor and commissioners serve four-year terms. Although each commissioner represents a designated district, all are elected by voters throughout the city.
Mayor and City Commission:
The November 2026 election included the mayor's position and Commission Districts 2 and 4. Unofficial results show McCann, Bruce, and Resnick retaining their seats.
City Manager: Kevin A. Sweet
The City Manager is the city's chief administrative officer and is responsible for implementing commission policies, overseeing departments, managing municipal operations, and administering the city budget.
2. Seminole County Government
Seminole County government handles many services that extend beyond individual city boundaries. These include county roads, emergency services, public facilities, environmental programs, and other countywide responsibilities.
The county is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners. Each commissioner represents a county district.
Board of County Commissioners:
Charline Santos defeated incumbent Amy Lockhart in the November 2026 election, bringing a change to the District 4 seat. The results are unofficial pending certification.
Other Seminole County elected officials:
These are independently elected constitutional offices. They are not departments controlled by the County Commission.
3. Seminole County School Board
Public education is governed by the Seminole County School Board, which establishes district policies, oversees school operations, and approves the school district budget.
The five-member board consists of:
School board districts are separate from city commission and county commission districts.
4. Florida State Government – Our Representatives in Tallahassee
Winter Springs and Seminole County are represented in the Florida Legislature by a state senator and several state representatives.
Florida State Senate:
Lowndes defeated incumbent Jason Brodeur in the November election. Senate District 10 covers all of Seminole County and portions of Orange County.
Florida House of Representatives:
The following representatives were elected in November 2026:
These districts cover different portions of Seminole County. Winter Springs itself is divided between House Districts 36 and 38, so the representative for an individual resident depends on their address.
The state legislature is responsible for creating and changing Florida laws, approving the state budget, and overseeing state agencies.
5. Federal Government – Representing Us in Washington, D.C.
Florida is represented by two U.S. Senators, who serve the entire state, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, who represent individual congressional districts.
United States Senate – Florida:
Both senators represent all Florida residents, including those living in Winter Springs and Seminole County.
United States House of Representatives:
Seminole County is part of Florida's 7th Congressional District.
The November 2026 election featured:
As of November 5, unofficial results show Ryan Elijah narrowly leading Bale Dalton. The race has not yet been officially called, so the final representative-elect remains to be determined.
Congress is responsible for federal legislation, national taxation and spending, and oversight of the federal government.
6. Why Does All This Matter?
Local government decisions often have the most immediate impact on our daily lives. City and county officials make decisions involving development, zoning, roads, utilities, public safety, parks, and local spending.
State representatives influence education funding, transportation projects, property tax policy, environmental regulations, and many other issues affecting Central Florida.
Our federal representatives deal with national policies, federal spending, Social Security, Medicare, defense, and other matters that affect everyone.
Knowing who represents us is the first step toward making our voices heard.
Get involved!
Residents can attend public meetings, contact elected officials, review proposed budgets and ordinances, and participate in public comment periods.
You don't have to be a politician to have a say in the future of your community.
Useful government resources:
Your community. Your representatives. Your voice.
Whether we're concerned about our roads, schools, taxes, public safety, development, or the future of our communities, the decisions made by our elected representatives have a direct impact on everyday life.
But do you know who represents us? Winter Springs residents are represented at several levels of government, from City Hall to the Seminole County Commission, the Florida Legislature, and the United States Congress.
Here's a look at who's responsible for representing our community.
1. City of Winter Springs
Winter Springs operates under a Commission/Manager form of government. The Mayor and five-member City Commission establish municipal policies, approve budgets and ordinances, and appoint the City Manager. The City Manager oversees daily city operations.
The Mayor and commissioners serve four-year terms. Although each commissioner represents a designated district, all are elected by voters throughout the city.
Mayor and City Commission:
- Mayor – Kevin McCann
- District 1 – Paul Diaz
- District 2 – Victoria Bruce
- District 3 – Sarah Baker
- District 4 – Cade Resnick (Deputy Mayor)
- District 5 – Mark Caruso
The November 2026 election included the mayor's position and Commission Districts 2 and 4. Unofficial results show McCann, Bruce, and Resnick retaining their seats.
City Manager: Kevin A. Sweet
The City Manager is the city's chief administrative officer and is responsible for implementing commission policies, overseeing departments, managing municipal operations, and administering the city budget.
2. Seminole County Government
Seminole County government handles many services that extend beyond individual city boundaries. These include county roads, emergency services, public facilities, environmental programs, and other countywide responsibilities.
The county is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners. Each commissioner represents a county district.
Board of County Commissioners:
- District 1 – Bob Dallari
- District 2 – Jay Zembower
- District 3 – Lee Constantine
- District 4 – Charline Lorraine Santos (elected November 2026)
- District 5 – Andria Herr
Charline Santos defeated incumbent Amy Lockhart in the November 2026 election, bringing a change to the District 4 seat. The results are unofficial pending certification.
Other Seminole County elected officials:
- Sheriff – Dennis Lemma
- Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller – Grant Maloy
- Property Appraiser – David Johnson
- Tax Collector – J.R. Kroll
- Supervisor of Elections – Amy Pennock
These are independently elected constitutional offices. They are not departments controlled by the County Commission.
3. Seminole County School Board
Public education is governed by the Seminole County School Board, which establishes district policies, oversees school operations, and approves the school district budget.
The five-member board consists of:
- District 1 – Kristine Kraus
- District 2 – Kelley Davis
- District 3 – Abby Sanchez
- District 4 – Robin Dehlinger
- District 5 – Autumn Garick
School board districts are separate from city commission and county commission districts.
4. Florida State Government – Our Representatives in Tallahassee
Winter Springs and Seminole County are represented in the Florida Legislature by a state senator and several state representatives.
Florida State Senate:
- District 10 – John Lowndes (elected November 2026)
Lowndes defeated incumbent Jason Brodeur in the November election. Senate District 10 covers all of Seminole County and portions of Orange County.
Florida House of Representatives:
The following representatives were elected in November 2026:
- District 36 – Darryl Block
- District 37 – Jane Aman
- District 38 – Nik Dean
- District 39 – Dr. Jarod Fox
These districts cover different portions of Seminole County. Winter Springs itself is divided between House Districts 36 and 38, so the representative for an individual resident depends on their address.
The state legislature is responsible for creating and changing Florida laws, approving the state budget, and overseeing state agencies.
5. Federal Government – Representing Us in Washington, D.C.
Florida is represented by two U.S. Senators, who serve the entire state, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, who represent individual congressional districts.
United States Senate – Florida:
- Senator Rick Scott
- Senator Ashley Moody
Both senators represent all Florida residents, including those living in Winter Springs and Seminole County.
United States House of Representatives:
Seminole County is part of Florida's 7th Congressional District.
The November 2026 election featured:
- Ryan Elijah (Republican)
- Bale Dalton (Democrat)
- Christopher Dennison (Libertarian)
As of November 5, unofficial results show Ryan Elijah narrowly leading Bale Dalton. The race has not yet been officially called, so the final representative-elect remains to be determined.
Congress is responsible for federal legislation, national taxation and spending, and oversight of the federal government.
6. Why Does All This Matter?
Local government decisions often have the most immediate impact on our daily lives. City and county officials make decisions involving development, zoning, roads, utilities, public safety, parks, and local spending.
State representatives influence education funding, transportation projects, property tax policy, environmental regulations, and many other issues affecting Central Florida.
Our federal representatives deal with national policies, federal spending, Social Security, Medicare, defense, and other matters that affect everyone.
Knowing who represents us is the first step toward making our voices heard.
Get involved!
Residents can attend public meetings, contact elected officials, review proposed budgets and ordinances, and participate in public comment periods.
You don't have to be a politician to have a say in the future of your community.
Useful government resources:
- City of Winter Springs – City government and commission meetings
- Seminole County Government – County services and commission meetings
- Seminole County Supervisor of Elections – Election results and voter information
- Florida Legislature – State laws, bills, and legislative activity
- U.S. Congress – Federal legislation and congressional activity
Your community. Your representatives. Your voice.
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