Apopka City Council begins a new era

The Oath of Office ceremony is a symbolic moment in an elected official's transition to power. It galvanizes their commitment to uphold principles and serve the best interests of the community they serve. The oath is a solemn promise that sets the tone and establishes the expectations for their actions and decisions. 

Apopka voters made their choices for the Seat 3 and 4 City Commission elections on March 19th, and now they will watch as Nadia Anderson and Nick Nesta take their oaths and begin their four-year terms on the Apopka City Council.

 Anderson is the first Black female to be elected to the Apopka City Council and the 12th new member in the last 10 years. She defeated Darryl Richardson with 55.01% (2,494) of the vote in the Seat #3 election. Richardson received 2,040 votes. Both candidates were running in their first campaigns for elected office.

Anderson steps into Seat 3 after two-term Commissioner Kyle Becker chose not to run for re-election in 2024.

Commissioner-Elect Nadia Anderson

Nesta's victory marks the fourth consecutive win for an incumbent on the Apopka City Council. Successfully defending Seat #4, he secured 61.05% of the vote (2,754) against Eric Mock, a current planning commission member, who received 1,757 votes. This mirrors Nesta's 2022 victory over Mock, where he also garnered 61.5% of the vote, showcasing a consistent support base.

Apopka City Commissioner Nick Nesta

Nesta joins Mayor Bryan Nelson and Commissioners Alexander Smith and Diane Velazquez as two-term members of the City Council. He is also the first commissioner to win with over 60% of the vote in back-to-back elections in the post-John Land era.

The Apopka Oath of Office ceremony will be at noon on Tuesday, April 30th, at the Apopka City Hall Chambers. It will also be broadcast on the City's YouTube station.

There won't be much transition between the oath and action, as the first Apopka City Council meeting is May 1st, the very next day, at 1:30 p.m., also in the City Hall Chambers and broadcast on its YouTube station.