Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger Fighting Hard For Her Dais Seat

The three adjectives that best describe Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger are passionate, generous, and eager.

Like her District 4 Candidate, Joe Vinson, the incumbent was asked for the three adjectives that best describe her.

“If I am not passionate about something, I take it off my plate,” Hofberger said. “Life is too short to do things half-heartedly.”

The wife and mother said she is generous with her time and my resources.

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“I consistently give 10% to my church, and my family supports charities we believe make a real impact in our community,” Hofberger said. “Two of our favorites are Pace Center for Girls and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Foundation.”

Hofberger said that since she has been knocking on doors, she has realized most people forget she has only been in office for two years.

“This was a special election in 2024,” Hofberger said of the win following her appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud of the progress we have made in that short time.

Hofberger recalls in 2023 how her daughter had a medical emergency, and it took more than 23 minutes for an ambulance to reach us.

“I was terrified. I did not know what was wrong with my child,” Hofberger said. “No parent should feel that helpless.”

That is why she ran then and now.

‘Since I took office, we have added 23 ambulances, added a mid-shift of paramedics and EMTs, partnered with hospitals on transfers, and moved forward on four new fire stations,” Hofberger said. “A neighboring county is using technology that can cut response times by about 20 percent. I have already worked with FDOT on funding for our area, and I want that project completed.”

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The commissioner said after two budget cycles, “I know where the waste is and where the gaps are. Some items need to come out. Some departments need more support. I want to finish that work.”

When asked what transparency means to her, Hofberger said it means giving people the information they need, in a way they understand, through a medium that reaches them.

“Every month since I have been in office, I have held public events: town halls, CPR classes, public forums, virtual town halls, Coffee with the Commissioner, and Cookies in the Park,” Hofberger said, adding she attempts to meet people on their terms. “I respond to emails, even when the answer is not the one they want to hear.”

She adds that she believes it is most important to explain why she votes as she does, whether that is from the dais or on social media.

“I also believe we could automate public records requests,” Hofberger said. “Email records should not have to be pulled by hand.”

Hofberger added that automating the process would remove delay, human error, and human emotion, and it would make the system more transparent than it is today.

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Hofberger points out her work ethic, noting, “I work full time as county commissioner.”

“It is not a job where I show up and vote. I study the agenda, and I work with staff so I understand the projects before they come to the board,” Hofberger said. “I have spent hours in meetings and on phone calls about OLF-8, both with staff and with the group under contract. I stay with the project as it evolves.”

I do not wait to read about it after the fact, Hofberger added.

“I have been clear with the developers that my goal is well-paying jobs for the community and amenities for Beulah that fit the neighborhood and meet residents’ needs. I call,” Hofberger said. “I ask questions; I believe the board has been part of the process, not a victim of it.”

Hofberger noted that affordable housing is very close to her heart.

“A core part of the American Dream is homeownership, and I have worked to make that more achievable, not just in my district but countywide,” Hofberger said. We have modified SHIP allocations to support affordable homeownership better.”

Additionally, the commissioner said, “We have recognized the Community Land Trust as a way to lower costs and keep homes affordable over time.”

“We have donated county surplus land to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity for new affordable homes,” she said, adding, “Those steps matter, and there is more we can do.”

Hofberger said she would like the board to accept and adopt the affordable housing committee's recommendations, not just receive them.

“That would put more dollars toward first-time homebuyers and open the door to options beyond a conventional home, including tiny homes,” Hofberger said. “There is no one-size-fits-all answer. We need to think beyond the 30-year mortgage on a 1,200-square-foot house.”

To find out more about Hofberger, visit VoteAshlee.com.