Haines City lawyer, former school principal challenges Martha Santiago for Polk Commission
One Polk County commissioner will face a challenge after all.
Markeishia Smith of Haines City filed just before the qualifying deadline to challenge incumbent Martha Santiago of Winter Haven in the District 4 race. Smith is a Democrat and Santiago a Republican.
Republican Rick Wilson, the other county commissioner up for re-election, faced no opposition as the qualifying period ended.
Smith, 40, grew up in Lake Wales and Lake Hamilton and graduated from Haines City High School. She became a teacher and then a principal with Polk County Public Schools before getting a law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. She operates a law office based in Haines City.
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Santiago, 67, and a retired provost for Polk State College, is seeking a second term.
Smith has not yet reported any campaign contributions. Santiago has disclosed nearly $85,000 in campaign funds.
Wilson, 69, will automatically receive a second term in District 2.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk Commissioner Martha Santiago gets opponent just before deadline
