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🗳️ Former Okaloosa Commissioner Nathan Boyles is running in the June 10 special election for Florida House District 3, aiming to replace Joel Rudman, who left to run for Congress.
🛣️ Boyles’ priorities include infrastructure, tax reform, and insurance — drawing on his experience as a commissioner and small business owner.
🎓 A homeschool dad, Boyles supports school choice and parental rights, while also pledging to protect military missions and preserve environmental resources.
BAKER — Former Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles says he wasn’t looking for a new job in politics — but when the opportunity knocked, he answered. Now, the longtime public servant and small business owner is making his case to voters in Florida House District 3 (Check here to see if you live in the district) ahead of a June 10 special election.
RELATED: Boyles Wins Close Primary Race Against The Field For Florida State Representative
Boyles, a Republican and former two-term commissioner, is vying to replace State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman, who vacated the seat to run for Congress.
Boyles said his decision to jump into the race was driven by his deep-rooted passion for public service and a belief that he’s well-positioned to make an immediate impact in Tallahassee.
“I hadn’t figured out exactly what the next phase of my public service life was going to be,” Boyles said. “But when Rudman left the seat, the timing felt right. I felt like I still had more to give.”
Learning District 3 — Especially Santa Rosa County
House District 3 encompasses parts of Northern Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties, with Santa Rosa comprising the majority of the district.
While Boyles is a familiar face in northern Okaloosa, he acknowledged the challenge of building name recognition in Santa Rosa.
Boyles owns Adams Sanitation, which was at the center of a contentious debate over trash collection franchises in Santa Rosa County. That controversy, he said, gave voters a sense of who he is.
RELATED: Adams Sanitation Expands Footprint in Okaloosa County.
“It was a very public fight,” Boyles said. “But it also helped voters get a sense of where I stand.”
Through campaigning, he said he gained a deeper understanding of Santa Rosa’s communities, especially the rural north, which shares many political and cultural values with northern Okaloosa — but also faces unique challenges, particularly in terms of growth management and preserving its rural character.
Infrastructure, Insurance, and Tax Reform
If elected, Boyles said his initial priority won’t be to push a flood of new legislation but to learn the ropes and set the stage for long-term impact. Still, he pointed to infrastructure, tax reform, and insurance as key areas he hopes to address.
Boyles emphasized his experience in managing growth and infrastructure as a commissioner, citing his role in major road projects, such as the SR-85 bypass.
He pledged to work with local leaders to secure state funding for key infrastructure improvements.
On taxes, Boyles supports efforts to provide relief but cautioned that cuts must be carefully balanced to avoid harming essential local services, such as police and fire departments.
“You’re talking about a significant shift in tax policy,” he said. “We have to be careful not to cut local funding mechanisms without having a plan to replace them.”
He also wants to make insurance, especially property insurance, more understandable and affordable, calling Florida’s system unnecessarily complex.
“Even with my background — as a lawyer, engineer, and business owner — I find insurance policies hard to follow,” he said. “That’s a problem.”
Education and Parental Rights
Boyles, a father of two who homeschools his children, also said he wants to “empower parents and protect children.”
A product of Florida’s public schools, he said he supports school choice and wants to ensure that kids growing up today have access to the same quality education he did — whether through traditional schools, homeschooling, or charter options.
“The world our kids are growing up in is very different from the one we grew up in,” Boyles said. “And the education system has to evolve with it.”
Environmental Stewardship and Military Mission Protection
Boyles described himself as a “conservative Republican” who also values environmental stewardship. He said it’s possible to balance growth with conservation by preserving open space and protecting state forests and parks. He also noted the overlap between environmental protection and military mission preservation — something he called critical to the region’s identity and economy.
“You simply cannot overstate the importance of the military to Northwest Florida,” Boyles said. “Facilities like Whiting Field are vital, and I will fight to keep them here.”
Legislative Transparency and Representation
Boyles, who has received endorsements from United States Representative Jimmy Patronis and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, insisted those relationships won’t sway his decisions.
“I’ve always tried to make the best decision with the information I have,” he said. “That won’t change just because I’m in a different seat.”
While he acknowledged the legislature is a more complex political arena than a county board, Boyles said he’s prepared for compromise and will rely on the same principles that guided his time as a commissioner.
“I’m not going to get everything right,” he said. “But I’ve never been afraid to own my mistakes, learn, and do better.”
A Pitch to Voters
With early voting underway through June 7 and Election Day set for June 10, Boyles urged undecided voters to consider his track record and readiness.
“I’m not sure our backgrounds are even comparable,” he said of his Democratic opponent, Deondre Wise. “I’ve put in the work. I’ve built the relationships. I’m ready to go to Tallahassee and deliver results on day one.”
Pro Communi Bono
