Following the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Patricia “Trish” Petrosky to fill the vacant District 5 seat. Petrosky was officially sworn into office on December 15, representing the communities of Lehigh Acres, Alva, Buckingham, and parts of North Fort Myers.
A 34-year-old Republican and former Realtor, Petrosky moves into public service from a previous role as an executive assistant at Evangelical Christian School. While her political experience is fresh, she has deep roots in the region, having lived in Lee County for 15 years.
Strategic Priorities and District Focus:
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Infrastructure: In Lehigh Acres, Petrosky is prioritizing road improvements, pothole repairs, and the addition of sidewalks to support economic development.
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Development Scrutiny: Now a resident of Alva, she has expressed a commitment to preserving the area’s rural character and bringing closer scrutiny to large-scale development projects.
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Fiscal Responsibility: Her broader platform includes fiscal conservatism, clean water initiatives, and addressing county-wide traffic congestion.
Petrosky plans to launch listening tours throughout District 5 to engage directly with residents. Chairman Cecil Pendergrass welcomed the appointment, noting that Petrosky is the first woman to serve on the board in 12 years.
Petrosky will hold the seat through the 2026 election cycle, where she will need to run for a full term to remain in office.
