Apopka City Commissioner Alexander H. Smith.
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Apopka’s 2026 election season is underway as former commissioner Sam Ruth and incumbent Alexander Smith both filed this week to run for City Commission Seat 1. Ruth, who last served from 2014 to 2016, launched his campaign by emphasizing infrastructure concerns and a need for renewed professionalism in city government. Smith is seeking a third term as a city commissioner.
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Game on!
The first two candidates for the Apopka City Commission have made it official.
Related: As Apopka changes, its candidates must rise to the moment.
On Tuesday, Sam Ruth, a longtime resident and former commissioner, officially entered the 2026 Apopka City Commission race by filing to run for Seat #1. Ruth previously won a special election for Seat #3 in 2014 and served until 2016, when he was defeated by Doug Bankson, now a member of the Florida House representing District 39.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Alexander Smith, the Seat #1 incumbent, also filed to run for a third term.
Ruth's announcement marks his first bid for office in 10 years. This is Smith's first campaign since 2018. In 2022, he ran unopposed.
Ruth announced his candidacy in a post on his Facebook page.
“Today, after a great deal of thought, prayer, and conversations with people I trust, I am officially announcing my candidacy for Apopka City Commissioner, Seat #1,” he wrote. Calling himself “a lifelong Apopka resident,” Ruth said he has watched the city grow rapidly and believes Apopka’s infrastructure and basic services have not kept pace.
“Our city is expanding faster than our infrastructure can handle, and the people of Apopka are feeling it,” Ruth said.
He outlined three priorities he says Apopka “desperately needs right now”:
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Infrastructure Before Expansion
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Restoring Professionalism on the Dais
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Clearing Up Apopka’s Boundary Confusion
Ruth said he is stepping forward because he believes Apopka needs leadership that gathers facts, listens to citizens, and “puts the community first — not politics, personalities, or personal grudges.”
“I love this city, and I believe in its future,” he wrote. “Apopka is worth fighting for.”
In a text response to The Apopka Voice, Ruth explained why he chose to run specifically for Seat 1.
“With three seats opening, only two of them are four-year terms,” Ruth said, noting the shifting landscape of the 2026 election cycle.
Ruth is referring to Commissioner Nick Nesta’s recent announcement that he will run for Apopka Mayor, which will vacate Seat 3 and trigger a special election to fill the remaining two years of Nesta’s current term.
“Regardless of which seat I serve from, I will be a leading force multiplier with years of experience driving positive outcomes for our residents,” Ruth said. “With my proven experience and responsiveness to community needs, I hope the voters of Apopka will once again grant me the privilege to serve them as their Commissioner.”
The Apopka Voice reached out to Smith by text message and reviewed his social media pages, but did not receive a response or see a statement from him about his reasons for running.
Election Day in Apopka is March 10, 2026.
This developing story will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
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Former Commissioner Sam Ruth filed on Tuesday to run for Apopka City Commission Seat 1, marking his first campaign since 2014–2016.
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Incumbent Commissioner Alexander Smith filed on Wednesday to seek a third term for Seat 1.
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Ruth outlined three priorities: putting infrastructure before expansion, restoring professionalism on the dais, and resolving Apopka’s boundary confusion.
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The 2026 cycle includes shifting dynamics, with Commissioner Nick Nesta running for mayor and his Seat 3 post expected to trigger a special election.
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Election Day in Apopka is March 10, 2026, with more candidate announcements expected as the field develops.
