Frantz and Banyai Will Compete for House District 78
The candidates face off in the November 3 election to fill the seat representing Fort Myers.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you believe the proposed property tax exemption changes will improve your community's financial outlook?
Susan Frantz and Cindy Banyai are set to face each other in the November 3 election for the Florida House District 78 seat. The vacancy in this Fort Myers district follows the appointment of former representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka as the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
Why it matters
The election will determine who represents the city in the state legislature, a role that was left open after the departure of the previous officeholder. The outcome will shape local policy, including potential changes to property tax structures and state-funded scholarship programs.
Legislative proposals under discussion include Amendment 3, which seeks to raise homestead exemptions to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Additionally, the proposal targets lowering the annual cap on assessed-value increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.
The players
Susan Frantz
She is a candidate for Florida House District 78 who has spent 15 years working in a marketing capacity for local elected officials.
Cindy Banyai
She is a candidate for Florida House District 78 who previously ran for the U.S. House Florida District 19 seat in 2020 and 2022.
Jenna Persons-Mulicka
She is the former Florida House District 78 representative who was appointed to serve as the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
The details
Susan Frantz, who has worked in marketing with local elected officials for 15 years, is competing against Cindy Banyai, a two-time candidate for the U.S. House. The candidates are vying to represent a district that covers Fort Myers and involves oversight of local issues like the Family Empowerment Scholarship, which serves households with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
Timeline
June 25, 2026: The Alligator Alcatraz detention facility closed.
November 3, 2026: Election Day for Florida House District 78.
2027: Potential increase of homestead exemption to $150,000.
2028: Potential increase of homestead exemption to $250,000.
2029: Potential start of homestead exemption inflation indexing.
Political Context
The election results follow a pattern set by recent legislative efforts to expand the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship program. Opponents of such measures often argue that state funding should be prioritized for public schools rather than private or religious school tuition.
Local residents will see their tax obligations change if proposed homestead exemption increases are implemented by the next legislative session. Voters must also consider how these candidates view the expansion of private school funding relative to the existing federal poverty level thresholds.
The takeaway
The District 78 seat remains a critical point of focus for Fort Myers residents ahead of the November 3 election. Voters should review the specific legislative stances of both candidates regarding property tax caps and educational funding to understand the potential shift in local fiscal policy.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming races, visit Elections.
Live Poll
Do you believe the proposed property tax exemption changes will improve your community's financial outlook?
