State Representative, District 72
August 18, 2026 · State House District 72; Florida · State house district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 55 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 189,741 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(221,815 ÷ 189,741) ÷ ln(221,815 ÷ 167,065) = 55.1, comparing state house districts in FL (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
John "Captain" Phillips
Republican · declared
John "Captain" Phillips III is a Republican candidate in the August 2026 primary for Florida House District 72 (Manatee County), challenging incumbent Bill Conerly. A 31-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran who retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, he has lived in Bradenton for more than a decade. He has not previously held elected office.
William "Bill" Conerly
Republican · Incumbent · declared
William "Bill" Conerly is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 72 (Manatee County), first elected in 2024. A U.S. Navy veteran (1984-1989) and civil engineer, he focuses on infrastructure improvement and housing affordability, and holds a B.S. in engineering from the University of Florida.
Records: Public Infrastructure 1 for
Election sources
Source: dos.elections.myflorida.com