The issues
Where he stands, and the votes behind it.
Anyone can publish a list of positions in August. What follows pairs each one with something already on the public record, because eight years in means there is a record to check.
“I have eight years of experience in county government. I know how county government works.”
Public safety comes first
In his own words: “First and foremost, public safety is always going to be Priority 1.” He puts the reason this way: “we have to keep our citizens and communities safe because without safety and security we can't have the quality of life that we should be able to expect.” For another term that means hiring more firefighters and EMS personnel, and funding the stations to put them in.
On the record
Polk County Fire Rescue answers close to 400 calls a day out of seven standalone EMS stations. Wilson voted for the construction agreements behind the Bradley Fire Rescue Station, a capital project of just over $6 million. He backed a $1.42 million land purchase for a new Fire Rescue EMS and fire station in south Lakeland. The Masterpiece Road station in Bartow opened in June 2025.
His own stated priorities, and Polk County board actions.
Growth that fits where it lands
The County Commission rules on development in unincorporated Polk, which is roughly 84 percent of the county's land. About three out of every four new homes in Polk go up inside city limits, approved by city governments. Where the decision belongs to the county, Wilson has voted against projects that do not fit the land they are on.
On the record
In July 2022 a developer asked the board for 242 houses on 120 acres in rural Kathleen, off Deeson Road. Wilson voted to deny it, 4–1. His words at the hearing: “At the end of the day, I don't believe it's compatible and I will not be for it one bit.”
Polk County board record, July 2022.
A budget with very little fat
Wilson's view of the county budget is that there is not much slack in it, and that priorities have to be chosen rather than assumed. He has not treated a tax increase as the first answer.
On the record
In November 2023 the board was asked to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the ballot, roughly $2.1 billion for roads over twenty years. Wilson voted no. The motion failed 4–1. In his own words on the budget: “We currently operate with very little fat in our budget, so we would definitely have to roll our sleeves up and make hard decisions based on our priorities.”
Polk County board record, November 2023, and his own words.
Water, land and the natural places
In his own words: “I am committed to responsible growth while at the same time being mindful of our need to protect our natural resources and maintain the high level of commitment that Polk currently has in regards to conservation and our Environmental Lands Program.” He is not describing that program from the outside. Polk County buys land through it to keep that land from being developed, and the committee that decides which land to recommend has eleven members and exactly one county commissioner on it. That commissioner is Rick Wilson, and he chairs it.
On the record
In 2022 the commission split 3–2 on whether Polk County voters should even get to decide on an environmental lands property tax. Wilson voted yes, with Commissioners Santiago and Braswell. The referendum went on the November ballot and passed with about 60 percent. The Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee now reviews the sites nominated for purchase with that money and advises the commission on which ones to acquire, and Polk County lists Wilson as its chairman. He is also a second-generation cattleman who has run cattle on Polk County land his whole life, which is a different relationship to water and soil than most people bring to the job.
Polk County board record, 2022, and polkfl.gov, Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee.
Jobs, employers and agriculture
His own framing is that the county's job is the conditions, not the jobs themselves: “We have to create an atmosphere that fosters good job opportunities.” Polk County lists “helping to create meaningful job opportunities for Polk's residents” among his priorities. In practice that looks like time spent with the people who actually employ Polk County.
On the record
Frostproof Focus, the local news outlet, puts it plainly: during his time on the county board Wilson “played a role in the decision to bring Nucor Steel to Frostproof,” which the paper calls a cornerstone of local economic growth and a source of high paying jobs. He has kept showing up since. On a day in Frostproof with city officials he walked the Nucor plant and Ben Hill Griffin Inc., where the talk was railroad access at the old liquid fertilizer plant and the pressure the orange industry is under. Frostproof City Council member Austin Gravley endorsed him that day.
Frostproof Focus, August 2026, and polkfl.gov.
Something not on this list
Then ask him directly.
Every position above is paired with a vote or a board action you can look up, because eight years in means there is a record to check. If the thing you care about is not up there, he has not taken a public position on it yet.
So ask. He has eight years of public meetings behind him and an inbox.
Ask Rick a question
Make your plan
Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day, and early voting runs through Saturday, August 15.
How to vote