Stephanie Leonard
Panama City and Lynn Haven native who works as a nurse anesthetist at a local hospital and previously co-managed her family's automobile dealership in downtown Panama City. She returned home in 2020 to care for her mother. Won the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary.
Campaign finance: state and county candidates file with the Florida Division of Elections or the county Supervisor of Elections. Search contributions ↗
Sources last checked 2026-09-18. Report an error ↗
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 insurance Leans agree· stated position
Asked whether insurance or property taxes worried the public more, she said property insurance costs have far outpaced property taxes and accused insurers of hiding profits through affiliate transfers outside Florida.
"insurance company profits are soaring but they are hiding profits through affiliate transfers outside of our state"
Housing affordability Strongly agrees· stated position
In the VOTE411 questionnaire she proposed requiring a share of large multifamily developments to be set aside for certain income levels and increasing first-time homebuyer incentives.
"there should be a required percentage of large multi family developments reserved for certain average income levels in the region of interest"
Abortion Strongly agrees· stated position
Asked by the League of Women Voters when she would support access to abortion, Leonard said she would restore the access Florida allowed before Roe v. Wade was overturned, and said current limits deny women reproductive care.
"I would support full access back to the original levels in Florida before the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade."
Health care Leans agree· stated position
She told VOTE411 that Florida should fund and keep Medicaid at current levels, noting that health care is unavailable to many people at poverty level and that employers keep shifting costs to employees. Her website says she would expand access to affordable health care and support for veterans.
"We need to fund and keep Medicaid at current levels"
Environment & water Leans agree· stated position
Her campaign website lists protecting springs, bays and beaches, stopping pollution and planning 'smart growth' among her priorities.
"Protect our springs, bays and beaches. Stop pollution. Plan smart growth. Protect our quality of life."
Growth & development Leans agree· stated position
She supports smart planning that protects infrastructure, water systems and the character of Bay County communities.
"I support smart planning that protects infrastructure, water systems, and the character of Bay County communities."
Elections & voting Leans agree· stated position
Asked how she would help Floridians who lack citizenship documents if proof were required, she called for faster and free processing of birth and marriage records and immediate voter document assistance at county offices.
"The documents should be free and online certificates should be immediately available."
No public position found on 11 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Property taxes, Immigration, Guns, Education & school choice, Marijuana, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Energy & utilities, Trump administration, 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
- Cost of living — She says she supports practical solutions to ease rising insurance, electricity, grocery and rent costs.
- Public schools — Her website calls for fully funding public schools and supporting teachers.
- State preemption of local government — Asked about home rule, Leonard said the state should not be able to determine what is best for local governments and that people lose the ability to decide what happens in their own neighborhoods when the state controls municipalities.
- Public schools and affordability — Her website lists fully funding public schools and supporting teachers, lowering the cost of groceries, rent, electricity and insurance, and creating jobs without raising costs on families.