Computer Science Professor
Teaches computer science at the college level, preparing Polk County students for the jobs of the future.
Meet the candidate
Alethea Pugh
Dundee native. Computer Science Professor. U.S. Army Reserves veteran. Former Dundee Town Commissioner. Democratic nominee for Florida House District 48.
Her story
Alethea Pugh is the Democratic nominee for Florida House District 48, which covers communities across East Polk County including Dundee, Lake Wales and Frostproof. She qualified on June 9, 2026; the August 18 primary was canceled because she ran unopposed.
Pugh grew up in Dundee and has spent her life serving the community she calls home. She served in the U.S. Army Reserves, teaches Computer Science at the college level, and served as a Dundee Town Commissioner. Her professional background includes education, municipal government, healthcare payroll operations, insurance, utilities compliance and juvenile justice — experience she says taught her to read the fine print and follow the money.
Her campaign, “Leadership That Puts People First — That Means You,” centers on four priorities: Schools Not Scams (fully funding public schools), Families Not Fundraisers (lowering insurance and living costs), fixing US-27 and East Polk infrastructure, and protecting local home rule. She has pledged to personally respond to constituents within 24 hours. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Career & service
U.S. Army Reserves Veteran
Served in the U.S. Army Reserves — service that shaped her discipline, resilience and sense of duty.
Dundee Town Commissioner
Served her hometown on the Dundee Town Commission, making local government work for the people who live it.
Healthcare payroll operations
Managed payroll operations in healthcare — work that demands accuracy and trust with people's livelihoods.
Insurance
Worked in the insurance industry and saw firsthand how costs and fine print hit working families.
Utilities compliance
Handled compliance in the utilities sector, learning how regulation protects — or fails — everyday customers.
Juvenile justice
Worked in juvenile justice, standing up for young people who needed an advocate the most.
Education
Alethea is a college-level Computer Science Professor with a career rooted in education and lifelong learning.
Detailed degrees and institutions will be listed here once the campaign confirms them — we only publish verified facts.
Endorsements
Community leaders who have publicly endorsed Alethea, each linked to the announcement.
Mary Richardson — Town of Dundee Commissioner
Endorsed Alethea after witnessing "firsthand my commitment to serving our community" — "a vote of confidence in the work we've accomplished together." Announced August 5, 2026.
Read the announcementAnthony Nieves — State Representative-Elect, House District 47 (Osceola County)
Endorsed Alethea's leadership as "we fight for the people, families, and communities of District 48."
Read the announcementCurtis Gibson — Democratic nominee for Congress, FL-18
"I'm proud to endorse AleThea Pugh because she's a proven leader who gets things done for our community." Announced September 24, 2026.
Read the announcement
Does your organization want to endorse Alethea? Email 48@aletheapugh.com.
Her promises to District 48
A personal reply within 24 hours
Every constituent who reaches out gets a personal response from Alethea within 24 hours — always.
Schools Not Scams
Fully fund Polk County public schools and protect school budgets from cuts that shift costs onto local families.
Families Not Fundraisers
Put homeowners, renters and working families ahead of corporate PAC and lobbyist priorities, with a focus on insurance and cost of living.
US-27 & East Polk Infrastructure
Push for safer roads, smarter growth and infrastructure that keeps up with East Polk’s rapid growth.
Local Home Rule
Keep decisions about Polk communities in the hands of local residents and their elected officials, not Tallahassee.