Lee County voters could decide on local term limits in special election

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Voters could soon decide on term limits for some of Lee County's top elected leaders.

Lee County Commissioner David Mulicka, District 3, proposed legislation that would impose term limits on the county's five constitutional officers. That includes the Lee County sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, clerk of court, and supervisor of elections.

"I think you should have fresh eyes, fresh legs and have the opportunity to serve, and an open seat certainly lends itself to that opportunity," Mulicka said. "So you can learn the job. You can you can put together a campaign. You can listen to the meetings and you know you have a shot."

Lee County commissioners could put the issue before voters during a special election on Nov. 3, 2026. If approved, the term limits would not apply retroactively to current officeholders. 

Dawn Dyer is a political science professor at Florida Gulf Coast University who specializes in public administration and civics. Dyer said term limits have become increasingly popular across the country. However, term limits for county constitutional officers are not particularly common in Florida. 

"I think everyone wants expertise and experience and but everybody also wants accessibility, and no one wants career politicians," Dyer said. "How do we balance that?"

The legislation could lead to speculation about the future of one of Lee County's most recognizable elected leaders: Sheriff Carmine Marceno. The Sheriff's Office declined to comment on the possibility of term limits Tuesday. 

Marceno previously ruled out a run for Congressman Byron Donalds open seat. In November, the Federal Bureau of Investigation closed an investigation into the sheriff without bringing charges against him.

The idea of term limits is not unprecedented in Southwest Florida. Voters approved limiting Lee County commissioners to three consecutive terms in 2014.  

Mulicka said the legislation is about creating more opportunities for people to participate in local government. 

"People generally frown on career politicians, and they would like the opportunity to serve," Mulicka said. "To know there was a path to have an opportunity, to have a chance to participate in government."