Victor Arias

Arias describes himself as one of eight children raised in the Douglas Housing Projects in New York.[2] He earned a high school diploma from Lawrence Academy and a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College in 1985, according to Ballotpedia.[2] A member of the Florida Bar, he says he has practiced law for over 35 years and is owner and managing attorney of Arias Law Firm, P.A. in Cape Coral.[2] He previously served as an attorney for the School District of Lee County.[3]

Arias is a graduate of Leadership Florida, Leadership Lee County, Leadership Cape Coral, and Leadership Estero, and says he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Award and the Hispanic Chamber Businessman of the Year Award.[2] He says he has mentored high school and college students by welcoming them to his law firm.[2] He won the August 18, 2026 Democratic primary with 45.5% of the vote, ahead of Howard Sapp and Robert Neeld.[2] During the campaign, he described it as centered on economic affordability, water quality, and anti-corruption.[2] He received 37.6% of the vote to Jim Schwartzel's 61.1%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1] He says he has been married for 32 years and has two children who attend universities.[2]