Ahearn-Koch, Entler Win Sarasota Commission Seats
Voters reelected Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and elected Flo Entler to two open at-large seats on the Sarasota City Commission.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall
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Sarasota voters reelected Jennifer Ahearn-Koch with 40.72% of the vote and elected Flo Entler with 35.07% in the at-large city commission race. John Harshman received 24.21%, and Mayor Debbie Trice opted against seeking a second term.
Why it matters
The results determine who will shape Sarasota's policy priorities following a costly storm season and recent changes to downtown and St. Armands Key parking. Voters could select two of three candidates for the two open seats, making the outcome a direct reflection of the city's choices.
Ahearn-Koch received 40.72% of the general election vote, Entler received 35.07%, and Harshman received 24.21% in the two-seat at-large race. The vote tallies come from the general election, and the extraction does not provide precinct-level breakdowns or turnout figures.
The players
Jennifer Ahearn-Koch
Ahearn-Koch is a Sarasota city commissioner first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2022 who retained her at-large seat in this election.
Flo Entler
Entler is a Sarasota city commission candidate who won one of the two at-large seats in the general election.
Debbie Trice
Trice is the Sarasota mayor who opted against running for a second term in this cycle.
Karie Friling
Friling is the Sarasota city manager who began in the role at the end of May, overseeing city operations as the commission takes new members.
The details
Ahearn-Koch, first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2022, and Entler will be sworn in during a special noon meeting on Nov. 6. The election followed an Aug. 18 primary with five candidates, and voters could select two of three finalists for the at-large seats.
Timeline
Aug. 18: Primary election held with a five-candidate at-large field.
Nov. 3: General election results determined the two at-large seats.
Nov. 6: Ahearn-Koch and Entler sworn in at a special noon meeting.
City Hall Context
Sarasota's new commissioners will inherit the roughly $50 million in storm-related costs the city absorbed during the 2024 hurricane season. Their first decisions will be shaped by how the city funds recovery alongside recent changes to downtown and St. Armands Key parking.
Sarasota residents will see the commission's direction on storm-recovery spending and parking policy shaped by the two newly seated members. The decisions made in the coming months will affect taxes and parking access for downtown and St. Armands Key visitors.
The takeaway
Voters who want a say in how Sarasota handles storm costs and parking should follow commission agendas and public comment periods as the new members take their seats.
What happens next
Ahearn-Koch and Entler will be sworn in at a special noon meeting on Nov. 6.
Further reading
Explore more local governance coverage in City Hall for context on how the commission operates.
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