Kristina Sargent to make the case against Mark Smith in Sarasota Co. Commission Primary

Former prosecutor Kristina Sargent will challenge Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith in a Republican Primary.

The Sarasota Republican has filed paperwork to run for the District 2 seat^[1] on the County Commission.

“I am running for County Commission to continue my service to our community, to listen to residents and to work collaboratively on solutions. Sarasota County deserves leaders who will stay focused on the priorities that matter most, including improving infrastructure, better managing traffic and growth, and keeping taxes low,” she said.

She is challenging a one-term incumbent. Smith won the open seat^[2] against Democrat Fredd Atkins in 2022. He filed to seek another term in January. Term limits will stop Smith from serving another consecutive term if he wins re-election, but Sargent’s entry represents a threat to that trajectory.

Notably, the district is arguably the most competitive from a partisan standpoint. The district is home to more than 22,000 Republicans and over 18,000 Republicans, according to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections^[3]. Smith already faced a challenge from Democrat Andrew Bevan, who previously^[4] challenged U.S. Rep. Greg Steube.

Sargent boasts a military record, serving 15 years in the Army National Guard. After enlisting at age 21, she served multiple deployments including in the Middle East.

“My military service taught me the value of hard work, leadership and teamwork, and I have carried those qualities into every part of my life,” Sargent said.

The lawyer now practices in civil defense representing Florida companies statewide. Before that, she worked as a prosecutor in Baltimore, then later in Sarasota.

She has been active for years in the Sarasota Republican Club, Sarasota-Bradenton Young Republicans, Sarasota Bar Association, Florida Association of Women’s Lawyers, Republican Women’s Club of Sarasota, and American Inn of Court. She also mentors students at Booker High School and serves as a judge for moot-court at undergraduate universities.