Spence meets with North Lee, South Charlotte residents impacted by Zemel Road Landfill, pledges federal investigation

Congressional candidate says Waste Connections has the resources to fix odor and air quality problems; criticizes primary opponent's absence and incumbent Greg Steube's silence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 13, 2026

Allen Spence sitting next to empty chair where primary opponent Matthew Montavon was expected to sit.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Aug. 13, 2026) — Democratic congressional candidate Allen Spence met this week with residents from North Lee County and South Charlotte County who say they have been living for years with foul odors and gas emissions from the Zemel Road landfill, a Waste Connections-operated facility located in Charlotte County.

Residents, organized through the group Homeowners Against Landfill Odor (H.A.L.O.), told Spence they have repeatedly tried to reach Rep. Greg Steube about the issue without success, and say their State House representative has also failed to follow through on promises to help.

Google Maps screenshot (Aug. 13, 2026).

Spence noted that Waste Connections returned more than $700 million to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks in the first half of this year, arguing the company has the financial means to address the odor and emissions if compelled to do so.

"This company has the money to clean up and make this landfill smell less bad. We just need the political will to force the company to do it," Spence said.

Spence pledged that, if elected, he would push the federal government to investigate the landfill and establish independent air quality monitoring, building on years of measurements already collected by residents. He pointed to health effects reported by residents, including respiratory issues, as well as declining property values in the surrounding communities.

Spence also noted that primary opponent Matthew Montavon had committed to attending the event but canceled at the last minute, which he said added to residents' frustration after feeling ignored by their sitting congressman. Phillip Carter, Democratic candidate for Florida State House District 76, joined Spence on the forum's panel instead.

Spence is the only candidate in the Democratic primary endorsed by the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida. The primary election is August 18, and Charlotte County voters can vote early until August 15.

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