Jeff Bairstow
Bairstow spent nearly 29 years with the Ocala Police Department, retiring in 2016, and has since run a private investigation agency and a fingerprinting business with his wife. He won the August 18, 2026 Republican primary for the open District 4 seat with 39% over three opponents and faces only a write-in candidate on November 3. His campaign focuses on infrastructure concurrency, public safety staffing and water protection.
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Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Property taxes Mixed / neutral· stated position
Asked about the proposed constitutional amendment to sharply cut property taxes, he said lost revenue should be replaced through impact fees and making sure growth pays for growth, along with a review of county budget priorities, without stating a position for or against the amendment.
Environment & water Strongly agrees· stated position
He names water quality and water supply as the county's biggest environmental issue and would protect the Farmland Preservation Area, strengthen growth boundaries and make water part of every major growth decision. He opposes data centers in Marion County.
"I am a hard NO for data centers in Marion County."
Growth & development Strongly agrees· stated position
He says infrastructure should come first: strengthening concurrency, planning road capacity before major development is approved, and making new growth pay a fair share through properly calculated impact fees. He also wants development steered to areas already designed to accommodate it.
"We need to strengthen concurrency, make sure road capacity is planned before major development is approved... and make sure new growth pays a fair share through properly calculated impact fees."
Crime & policing Leans agree· stated position
He lists public safety as a top issue, saying the county should plan staffing, stations, equipment and emergency resources around real growth numbers, support first responders, improve response times and include public safety facilities in long-term growth planning. He does not address criminal penalties.
No public position found on 3 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Housing affordability, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Data centers — Told News 6 he is a 'hard NO' on data centers in Marion County; on Amendment 3 he did not say how he would vote but said lost revenue could be replaced with impact fees and budget discipline.