Former prosecutor Kristina Sargent will challenge Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith in a Republican Primary. The Sarasota Republican has filed paperwork to run for the District 2 seat on the County Commission. Sarasota County deserves leaders who will stay focused on the priorities that matter most, including improving infrastructure, better managing traffic and growth, and keeping taxes low,” she said. The district is home to more than 22,000 Republicans and over 18,000 Republicans, according to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections. She has been active for years in the Sarasota Republican Club, Sarasota-Bradenton Young Republicans, Sarasota Bar Association, Florida Association of Women’s Lawyers, Republican Women’s Club of Sarasota, and American Inn of Court.