Lakeland's Mike Scott enters 2024 race for Polk County Commission as Republican

A first candidate has filed to run next year for the Polk County Commission.

Mike Scott of Lakeland has entered the race as a Republican in District 5. That seat is currently held by Neil Combee, who has filed to run next year for Polk County Property Appraiser.

Scott, 40, is a Lakeland native and said he has lived in the Kathleen area for most of his life. He is the married father of two children.

Scott said he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Florida and added a pair of master’s degrees from USF. He is a civil engineer and the owner of a trailer business in North Lakeland.

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Scott said he is concerned about the increase in traffic on U.S. 98 in North Lakeland and would like to see the County Commission slow the pace of development until road improvements can be made. He said he would also focus on improving and expanding the county park system if elected.

District 5 covers northwest Polk County, but the election is open to all county voters. The seat of County Commissioner Bill Braswell in District 3 will be open next year, while Commissioner George Lindsey in District 1 faces term limits. No candidates have yet filed for those districts, according to the Polk County Supervisor of Elections.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland Republican enters race for Neil Combee's Polk Commission seat