Your Sun: Democrats to debate before 2026 primary

Candidates Allen Spence, Matthew Montavon want to challenge Greg Steube

VENICE — The first primary debate to be held this election cycle is set for Venice.

Allen Spence, of Babcock Ranch, and Matthew Montavon, of Sarasota, are set to debate March 7 in Venice. The two are competing to take on incumbent U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-17, of Sarasota. Steube has represented the region since being elected in November 2018. He has been a stalwart defender of President Donald Trump since he’s been in D.C. Montavon lost in the 2024 primary to Manny Lopez, who is not seeking any elected office this cycle. Montavon was in the Peace Corps after college; worked with migrant farmers in the Midwest; spent years working on planning councils in Virginia and West Virginia, and spent about 27 years working with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, according to his biography.

This is Allen Spence’s first time seeking public office. He was a Republican until the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Spence works in finance for a New York clearing house. He also is involved in Scouting America and has lived in Florida for more than 20 years.

The March 7 debate is being hosted by the Sarasota-Charlotte Democratic Progressive Caucus and Sarasota Next Gen Democrats “as they outline their visions on key issues impacting voters across Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties ahead of the August primary,” according to a news release.

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