Retired Tarpon Springs-area resident Bob Fornwalt is challenging incumbent Jim Downes for Seat 2 on the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District board in the Nov. 3 election.

Fornwalt, who has no party affiliation, qualified for the nonpartisan race during the June 8–12 qualifying period, according to Tampa Bay Beacons. His Pinellas County campaign finance filings list all contributions as "Candidate to Themselves," indicating the campaign is entirely self-funded.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Robert Clayton Fornwalt
  • Party: No Party Affiliation
  • Office sought: East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District, Seat 2
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Opponent: Jim Downes (Nonpartisan), incumbent
  • Occupation: Retired
  • Residence: East Lake Road South, Tarpon Springs

Endorsements

The East Lake Firefighters Benevolent Association endorsed Fornwalt, according to a post on the association's Facebook page.

  • East Lake Firefighters Benevolent Association