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Nesta proposes Apopka government restructuring; former campaign manager expresses interest in chief of staff role

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Commissioner Nick Nesta qualified to run for Apopka Mayor on Tuesday.
Nesta enters mayor’s race calling for transparency, planning, and a reset at City Hall
Apopka City Commissioner Nick Nesta is running for mayor, saying residents have grown frustrated with how decisions are made and explained at City Hall. In an extensive interview, Nesta outlined a platform focused on more transparent budgeting, stronger planning, new staff positions, and a rethinking of major capital projects. more
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Breaking News: Aungst suspends campaign for Apopka mayor, citing concerns over divided reform vote
Matthew Aungst has suspended his campaign for mayor of Apopka, saying continuing the race could divide reform-minded voters and unintentionally preserve the city’s political status quo. Aungst said he plans to remain active in civic life and is urging residents to demand accountability and long-term structural reforms from city leaders. more
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Nelson, Nesta, and Moore qualify for Apopka mayoral ballot
Qualified: Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, and City Commissioner Nick Nesta are officially qualified and will appear on the 2026 mayoral ballot. more
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Sam Ruth files to run for Seat #1 on the Apopka City Council next to City Clerk Susan Bone.
After a decade away, Sam Ruth returns to the Apopka ballot with an infrastructure-first message
Sam Ruth was a familiar name on Apopka ballots from 2010 to 2016 before stepping away from City Hall for a decade. Now 65, the lifelong Apopkan is back—saying the city’s rapid growth has outpaced its infrastructure and sense of identity. more
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Duran: “It's your city. What is your vision? How will you vote?”
In an emotional and pointed op/ed, Michael Duran calls on Apopka voters to examine their values and expectations for the city’s next mayor and council. Drawing on his son’s death and years of engagement with City Hall, Duran challenges residents to scrutinize claims of fiscal stewardship, transparency, and leadership. more
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Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez filed to run for re-election this morning for Seat #2.
Developing Story: Velazquez running for Seat #2 reelection; Baron files to run for open Seat #4
With just two weeks remaining before qualifying week, Apopka’s 2026 municipal election gained two additional contenders as Diane Velazquez and Yesenia Baron filed to run for City Council seats. Their announcements expand an already competitive field as voters prepare for decisions that will shape the city’s leadership for years to come. more
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Former Apopka City Commissioner Sam Ruth is taking on Commissioner Alexander Smith in the Seat #1 City Commission election.
Developing Story: Sam Ruth challenges Alexander Smith in Seat #1 Apopka City Commission election
The first candidates in the 2026 Apopka City Commission race have officially filed, with former commissioner Sam Ruth challenging incumbent Alexander Smith for Seat 1. Ruth, returning to politics after a decade, announced his candidacy with a call for stronger infrastructure, greater professionalism, and clearer city boundaries. This will be Smith's first contested election since 2018. more
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As Apopka changes, its mayoral candidates must rise to the moment
As Apopka’s mayoral race enters its final stretch, candidates are being called on to elevate their campaigns by focusing less on comparisons and more on a forward-looking vision. Residents are hungry for leadership that offers imagination, direction, and a blueprint for the city’s future. more
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Nick Nesta’s sudden entrance into the 2026 Apopka mayoral race has fundamentally reshaped the political landscape, turning a previously defined three-way matchup into a competitive four-person contest.
Nesta’s entry turns Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race into a four-way battle with no clear frontrunner
Nick Nesta’s decision to run for mayor has transformed Apopka’s 2026 election from a three-way contest into a wide-open four-person race with shifting dynamics and no guaranteed frontrunner. With each candidate bringing distinct strengths and vulnerabilities, the next 110 days will determine who can best connect with an increasingly diverse and demanding electorate. more
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Breaking News: Nesta running for Mayor of Apopka
Apopka City Commissioner Nick Nesta announced Monday night that he will run for mayor in the 2026 municipal election, officially entering an already competitive four-person race. His candidacy means he must vacate his Seat 4 commission post, prompting a special election in addition to the regularly scheduled contests for Seats 1 and 2. more
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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
Jerry Demings says the Legislature’s attack on home rule ‘has to change’
Orange County Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Demings says one of his top priorities, if elected governor, will be reversing the Florida Legislature’s expanding use of state preemption over local governments. more
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The Florida Governor’s Mansion
Florida’s race for governor is getting crowded
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has officially entered Florida’s 2026 race for governor, setting the stage for a potentially historic and competitive Democratic primary. His candidacy adds new energy — and tension — to a crowded field that already includes prominent figures from both parties. more
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Developing Story: Demings officially enters Florida governor’s race
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has officially filed to run for governor of Florida, ending months of speculation and signaling the start of a potentially historic statewide campaign. His announcement follows weeks of public clashes with state officials over a disputed audit, fueling speculation that the controversy motivated his entry into the race. more
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Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore (right) on the campaign trail.
Moore wants to turn experience into action as Apopka's next mayor
Christine Moore, a two-term Orange County Commissioner and former school board member, is running for mayor of Apopka with a vision of pragmatic, citizen-driven leadership. Her campaign emphasizes infrastructure, downtown revitalization, and community engagement as keys to unlocking the city’s potential. more
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Moore maintains fundraising lead over Nelson
Campaign finance reports covering July 1st through September 30th show a close contest between Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson, while first-time candidate Matt Aungst has surged to the top of the money race with a personal loan. more
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Apopka Residents: It's time to run for office
Once a city alive with debates, ideas, and spirited campaigns, Apopka now faces a troubling decline in political engagement. True democracy depends on choices—and it’s up to residents, community leaders, and former candidates to revive the city’s political energy before another election passes by default. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Apopka shouldn't be forced to vote in the dark
The Apopka City Council’s decision to align the charter amendment vote with the March 2026 mayoral election may save money and boost turnout, but it sacrifices clarity. Voters will be asked to choose a mayor without knowing whether that office will retain authority or be reduced to a figurehead under a new form of government. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Matt Aungst steps into the storm
Matt Aungst is stepping into the 2026 mayoral race, challenging incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson and Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore. Running as an independent-minded outsider, Aungst says his campaign will reject developer money, focus on transparency, and restore pride in Apopka’s government. more
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LaVon Bracy Davis wins Florida Senate District 15 special election in landslide
LaVon Bracy Davis, who previously served in Florida’s House District 40, captured the Senate District 15 seat with 72.56% of the vote, defeating Republican Willie J. Montague in a low-turnout special election. The district, which includes parts of West Orange County and Apopka, was previously held by the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson. more
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Marsha Summersill (right) files to run for Orange County Commission/District 2 with Department of Elections official Dan Helm (left).
Summersill announces run for Orange County Commission District 2 seat
Marsha Summersill, an attorney and longtime children’s advocate, has launched a campaign for the Orange County Commission District 2 seat, pledging to prioritize affordable housing, transportation, and environmental protection. more
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Apopka voters head to the polls Tuesday for the Florida Senate District 15 special election
On Tuesday, voters in Florida Senate District 15, which includes Apopka, will choose a successor for the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson. State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis faces GOP challenger Willie Montague in a district that typically leans heavily Democratic. more
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Florida voters with new driver’s licenses may need to update their voter registration information
Voters who renewed or replaced their Florida driver’s license or ID in the past year may encounter issues requesting vote-by-mail ballots or signing petitions if their records are not updated. Officials urge residents to confirm and update their voter registration to ensure ballots and signatures are properly counted. more
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Analysis: Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race becomes a three-way battle
The 2026 Apopka mayor’s race is officially a three-way contest as political newcomer Matt Aungst jumps in with a $265,000 self-funded campaign. Who holds the advantage heading into March? The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell offers an early analysis of the race. more
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Developing Story: Matt Aungst announces run for Apopka mayor; pledges to refuse all campaign donations
Matt Aungst has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Apopka, joining Bryan Nelson and Christine Moore in the 2026 race. Aungst pledged not to accept any campaign contributions, stating his run will be a team effort focused on fiscal reform and independent leadership. more
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Apopka City Hall
Will he or won't he?
Matt Aungst clarified the intent behind recent “Make Apopka Great Again” mailers and a billboard that stirred conversation citywide. Aungst says he wants residents to demand thoughtful leadership and consider a strong third option in the upcoming mayoral election. He stopped short, however, of announcing his candidacy. more
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