Greg Loyd won the District 3 seat with 67.05% of the vote, defeating Vincent Jackson in a race that drew three candidates. The seat became open after Vice Chairman Fritz VanVolkenburgh chose not to seek another term. Because write-in candidate Camille Blackburn filed as a nonpartisan, the primary was restricted to registered Republicans, ensuring Loyd’s win translates directly to the November ballot. This is the first time the district has had a primary since 2022.
In District 5, incumbent Carol Craig defeated challenger Randy May with 57% of the vote. Both candidates are Republicans, and no write-in candidates filed, allowing all registered voters in the taxing district to participate in what officials called a 'universal primary.' The race was decided outright on Tuesday, eliminating the need for a runoff. Craig has served on the authority since 2018 and previously held the chairmanship.
District 1 saw no contest after Stan Retz ran unopposed, replacing outgoing Chairman Jerry Allender, who did not seek reelection. Retz will assume the chairmanship in January. All commissioners serve four-year terms with no term limits and are paid $20,000 annually.
The Canaveral Port Taxing District covers central and northern Brevard County, including parts of Titusville, Palm Bay, and Merritt Island. The authority oversees port operations and infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the Port of Palm Beach. Results for the primary were certified by the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections on Wednesday.
The next step for voters is the November general election, where Loyd, Craig, and Retz will face their opponents if any. The authority’s next meeting is scheduled for September 12, where officials will discuss budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.