Dunedin election: Veteran engineer Nan Bennett takes District 4 seat

Nan Bennett secured the District 4 City Commission seat in Dunedin on Tuesday, defeating challenger Mark Ossian in a contest to fill the vacancy created by term limits. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections certified the results, showing Bennett received 9,436 votes out of 16,734 total ballots cast. Ossian collected 7,298 votes, a 43.6% share of the total.

Bennett brings extensive experience to the commission, having served in three separate capacities for the city over a span of eight years. Her roles included Public Works engineer, Utilities Operations manager, and director of Utilities and Engineering. Before her latest tenure, she spent 25 years in engineering and public works for local governments across the region, including Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Clearwater, and Pinellas County.

A native of Pinellas County, Bennett moved to Dunedin in 1998. She holds a master’s degree in engineering and environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida. At a candidate forum held on Oct. 1, she framed her campaign as a defense of the city’s current status rather than a call for drastic change. “Dunedin is a great place to live, work and visit,” she said. “I’m running to protect the quality of life that we’ve all come to love and expect here in Dunedin, especially in the face of uncertain fiscal challenges ahead.”

Bennett cited affordability and economic pressures as primary concerns during the campaign. She described a need for leadership that keeps the city accessible to young families, frontline workers, and retirees on fixed incomes. Her platform focused on efficient spending and dependable service delivery. “Dunedin residents deserve a city government that spends taxpayer dollars wisely and delivers dependable services efficiently,” she stated.

Environmental stewardship formed a central part of her messaging. On her campaign website, Bennett wrote that the natural environment is a key asset for Dunedin’s economic vitality. She argued that environmental protection must remain at the center of policy and budget discussions. She also emphasized a preference for “smart growth” that enhances the city without erasing its unique character or neighborhood charm.

Bennett’s candidacy drew support from the Dunedin Firefighters’ Association, IAFF Local 2327. She is also a volunteer with the Audubon EagleWatch program, which monitors bald eagle nests throughout Pinellas County. She said her repeated return to public service in Dunedin stems from a personal connection to the city. “The reason I keep coming back is because Dunedin isn’t just another job to me, it’s home,” she said.