MEET THE CANDIDATES: Race for Brevard County Commission District 1 Seat Features Four Contenders
By Space Coast Daily // April 20, 2026
District 1 seat serves Titusville, Mims, Scottsmoor, Port St. John, Sharpes and parts of Cocoa
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The race for the Brevard County Commission District 1 seat is taking shape ahead of the Aug. 18 primary election, with four candidates vying to represent North Brevard.
The District 1 seat serves a large portion of the county’s northern communities, including Titusville, Mims, Scottsmoor, Port St. John, Sharpes, and parts of Cocoa.
The district also encompasses key environmental and economic areas, including the Indian River Lagoon, Kennedy Space Center, and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The 2026 election follows the unexpected resignation of the sitting commissioner, resulting in a shortened two-year term focused on immediate priorities rather than long-term planning.
Candidates in the Race
The field includes Stel Bailey, Rick Heffelfinger, Micah Loyd, and Nathan Slusher — each bringing different backgrounds and priorities to the campaign.
Nathan Slusher
Slusher, a North Brevard business owner, has centered his campaign on addressing immediate community needs during the shortened term.
He is positioning his candidacy as a response to the vacancy left by the resignation, emphasizing familiarity with local residents and day-to-day concerns.
His platform focuses on short-term, high-impact goals, including infrastructure repairs such as pothole repairs, drainage system improvements, and signage.
Slusher has also called for limiting new large-scale spending during the two-year term, instead prioritizing maintenance and completing already funded or low-cost projects — particularly those tied to the Indian River Lagoon, such as environmental restoration efforts.
Micah Loyd
Loyd currently serves as a commissioner on the Canaveral Port Authority Board, representing District 2 since his election in 2016.
A contractor by trade and president of a family-owned construction business, Loyd has been active in economic development efforts across North Brevard.
His recent actions include opposing a proposed liquefied natural gas facility on Merritt Island in response to community concerns.
Loyd also participates in organizations such as the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce and the North Brevard Economic Development Zone, highlighting his focus on business growth and regional development.
Stel Bailey
Bailey, an investigative journalist and environmental advocate, is running on a platform centered around government accountability and environmental protection.
She serves as executive director of Fight for Zero, a nonprofit focused on clean water advocacy.
Her campaign emphasizes forensic auditing of local government spending and protecting the Indian River Lagoon, particularly opposing wastewater practices she says could harm water quality.
Bailey has also been involved in shaping drinking water standards for PFAS and has received an endorsement from outgoing District 1 Commissioner Katie Delaney.
Rick Heffelfinger
