Two Republicans will compete in a primary for the Pasco County Commission District 4 seat that stretches from Land O’ Lakes to New Port Richey. Voters will have the choice between incumbent Lisa Yeager and political newcomer Jonathan Deckard. The primary is closed to only Republican voters because write-in candidate Louie Rodriguez awaits the winner in the November general election.
Each commissioner represents a geographic district but is elected countywide. The annual salary is $116,937. As one of Florida’s fastest growing counties, Pasco’s challenges include managing traffic, housing development and business growth.
Jonathan Deckard
Bio: Marine Corps veteran; manages a franchised Snap-on tool mobile store; former automotive technician
Education: Palm Harbor University High School graduate; certification in automotive technologies
Age: 40
Lisa Yeager
Bio: Appointed to commission and reelected in 2024; former educator; married to state Rep. Brad Yeager
Education: Graduated from Tarpon Springs High School; took classes at St. Petersburg College
Age: 52
Question: What are your three top priorities?
Deckard: 1. Infrastructure-first approach to future development that ensures impact fees are collected first so that the water supply, roads and water drainage systems are in place before building can be started; 2. Tax reform that puts money back in the hands of Pasco residents; 3. Protect as much green space as possible by restricting certain zone changes, requiring bigger lot sizes for houses and working on more community parks projects.
Yeager: Cutting taxes, keeping our streets safe and ensuring growth is smart and sustainable have been among my top priorities. As many families face affordability challenges, I supported lowering taxes while championing economic development that brings jobs and opportunity to Pasco County. I have also worked closely with our Sheriff’s Office to ensure residents feel safe. Growth should put people first — thoughtfully balancing new development with traffic, infrastructure and quality of life.
Why are you running?
Deckard: I’m a native Floridian from Pinellas County but Pasco County was always where I went for outdoor adventures with friends and family. I moved to New Port Richey seven years ago to be closer to nature. I’ve seen the damage from improper development, poor road planning that frustrates residents and elected officials who ignore community concerns. I’m tired of civil servants serving special interests, not people.
Yeager: Positive change comes through less talk and more action. During my time on the commission, we cut taxes, advanced economic development, partnered with the sheriff to keep our communities safe and expanded recreational opportunities for our children. After hurricanes Helene and Milton, I helped lead recovery efforts, removing more than 200 tons of debris and helping families rebuild. I have also made revitalizing the Moon Lake community a personal mission.
What makes you the best person for the job?
Deckard: I am a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with leadership experience and know what it means to be a true civil servant. I have built and managed numerous successful auto repair shops, which gave me experience in money management, team building and conflict resolution. I am a man of faith who looks to God to guide my life. I am a family man and will protect Pasco residents and their families by making their voices heard, no matter who the opposition is.
Yeager: Over the last two years, I have focused on action, not rhetoric — cutting taxes, supporting law enforcement, strengthening our local economy and ensuring growth is smart and sustainable. What’s more, when our county and many of our residents were in crisis after the hurricane I led from the commission to help those residents, not from an office, but from their neighborhoods and mobile home parks. I will always lead on these issues from the front.
What, if anything, should the county do to regulate development, which some residents say is making Pasco too crowded?
Deckard: The county can regulate development by restricting certain zone changes; requiring all impact fees for infrastructure to be paid before building, with no exceptions or deferments of payment; minimum lot sizes of 0.25 acres or more. Roads, water supply and water drainage must be in place before a certificate of occupancy can be issued.
Yeager: The growth we have experienced puts pressure on our infrastructure, our ability to plan smartly and to keep Pasco County affordable for our residents. Growth should be smart, thoughtful and consider future needs and be truly in the best interests of Pasco residents. This means measuring twice and cutting once and ensuring that issues like traffic, over congestion and strain on infrastructure are put first in foremost in conversations about growth.
How should the county approach funding its current and future parks?
Deckard: By using impact fees from development, state-funded grants and reforming property tax allocation to put more funds into park management and development.
Yeager: I believe strongly that kids need places to play, sports fields to learn life lessons on, and experience the true joys of childhood. We can be smart about it. I have led to create a partnership with Pasco County Schools to enhance athletic and recreational facilities at public schools in underserved areas. By improving existing public facilities rather than requiring new land, the initiative expands access to recreational spaces while maximizing taxpayer dollars.
Should the county add new rules for the use of e-bikes on the roads, and why?
Deckard: Yes, I believe e-bikes that can reach a certain speed should have a special license only issued at a minimum age to ensure the operator can safely maneuver in public responsibly.
Yeager: We need to understand the impact it is having, particularly on recreation trails that were originally designed for non-motorized use. With that said, I want to ensure our elderly and disabled population can get around and be active by using an e-bike if that is what they choose to do.
Should a data center be allowed in any part of Pasco County? Why or why not?
Deckard: Absolutely not, Pasco is all about nature and data centers would destroy the very best of it. Data centers emit numerous pollutants such as noise and fine particulate matter. The power demand is so great that it drastically increases air pollution. The size of them can vary from 2.5 acres to over 22 acres, and that is just for the building, not including the buffer zone around it.
Yeager: I support the moratorium on data centers. There are too many unanswered questions and uncertainty on data centers for Pasco residents. We need to ensure the that the health and safety of residents are protected.
Pasco is working on a plan to improve transportation in the community. How would you build a more “resilient” system?
Deckard: I would look at building a rapid transit railway system using some of the existing railways around Pasco County and building some new ones. It would increase efficiency, lower maintenance costs and have lower operating costs than just relying on buses. I would focus on smarter, more efficient road development projects and listen to the opinions of the community and development engineers to make sure that it is a win-win situation for everyone.
Yeager: We need to be thoughtful about the long-term needs of our community when building new infrastructure and ... do our part to make sure we mitigate the risk of flooding on our roadways. We need to look at transportation from a regional capacity, which is why I support the consolidation of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Getting on the same page as a region, much like what Tampa Bay did with Tampa Bay Water years ago, is how we will solve our most pressing transportation challenges.