The race for Apopka Mayor begins

Kilsheimer announces his re-election bid. Nelson announcement expected today.

Since last summer, the biggest questions in Apopka politics has been if Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson will oppose Joe Kilsheimer for Mayor of Apopka in 2018. That speculation is over.

Kilsheimer announced that he will run for re-election at the end of tonight's city council meeting.

Nelson all-but announced his candidacy this evening on social media; "Big news tomorrow. Press release tomorrow at the Catfish Place 11:00. Everyone invited," Nelson said on Facebook. "Plenty to do. Will need help from everyone."

Nelson is a first-term County Commissioner for District 2 which represents all of Apopka, Plymouth, Zellwood and parts of Ocoee, Orlando and Eatonville. He is also Vice Mayor of Orange County. Before that, he was in the Florida House representing District 38 for six years (2006-2012) and District 31 for two years (2012-2014). Both districts included Apopka within its borders.

He is also the owner of Nelson Insurance Services in Apopka for approximately the past 20 years and Nelson's Roses for 20 years prior to that. He has lived in the Apopka area since 1958, and at the residence that he annexed into Apopka (in 2016) for 23 years.

Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer

County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

The announcements will set up a Nelson vs. Kilsheimer election that could prove to be both candidate's greatest challenge. Kilsheimer is an incumbent that has never lost an Apopka municipal election (2 wins no losses) and defeated a five-decade incumbent (Mayor John Land) in 2014. Nelson is also undefeated (5-0 with two elections going unopposed), and has been in an election every two years since 2006.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated tomorrow.