By: East Lee County News Staff
Amanda Cochran has officially filed for the Lee County Commission District 5 seat, building on months of community encouragement and a renewed commitment to public service. Her filing follows the submission of her application to Governor Ron DeSantis for appointment to the same seat, a decision she respectfully awaits. Yet, as Cochran emphasized, her dedication to the people of Lee County “has not wavered for a moment.”
Her renewed campaign formally began that very morning, on Thursday, November 20th, 2025, when she filed for the Lee County Commission District 5 seat. That evening, she shared the news publicly at the SWFL Business Alliance, Community-Wide Thanksgiving hosted jointly by the Building Industry Alliance and the Custom Home Builders Association. An overflowing amount of business owners, professionals, community leaders, tradesmen, and residents gathered on the idyllic back porch of the Buckingham Blues Bar, where string lights hung above a long community table and Bones Southern Pride Barbecue helped set a warm, welcoming tone. It was in this setting, among the people who help drive East Lee County’s civic and economic life, that Cochran announced the start of her campaign, a moment met with genuine enthusiasm and applause.
Both the Building Industry Alliance and the Southwest Florida Business Alliance have voiced strong support for her candidacy, underscoring the community networks that have stood beside her through previous campaigns. In the most recent District 5 primary, Cochran earned 65 percent of the local vote, carrying 15 of 17 precincts, including 87 percent in her home precinct, a reflection of the broad trust she continues to build across East Lee County.
A lifelong Lee County resident, Cochran has centered her public service around transparency, accountability, and practical, common-sense leadership. She describes her mission simply: to give a voice to residents who often feel overlooked and to protect the quality of life in communities stretching from Bonita Springs to Boca Grande and from Cape Coral to Lehigh Acres.
“I love Lee County, all of it,” she said. “And I remain determined to fight for what is right and to stand up for the people who call this place home.”
Cochran credits her grassroots team for their dedication and believes deeply in the power of community when united in purpose. As she steps forward into this new phase of her campaign, she does so with gratitude, confidence, and the support of residents eager for steady, accountable leadership.
Editor’s Note: At this time, the District 5 seat remains a countywide race. The Republican Primary is scheduled for August 18, 2026, and will determine the party’s nominee for the General Election.
