Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore.
From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Former Interim City Administrator Chuck Vavrek and former Public Works Director Momtaz Barq announced their support for Moore, citing firsthand experience inside City Hall and concerns about road, utility, and staffing challenges. Both said Apopka’s pace of development requires steady leadership and stronger coordination across departments and regional partners. Moore said their endorsements validate her focus on restoring effective governance and investing strategically in infrastructure.
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Two former senior officials who served under Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson are backing Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore’s bid for mayor, adding experienced voices from inside City Hall to her campaign ahead of the March 10 election.
Related: Apopka's final mayoral debate shows three governing styles — and one candidate still fighting old battles.
Moore announced endorsements this week from former Interim City Administrator Chuck Vavrek and former Public Works Director Momtaz Barq, both of whom previously worked in leadership roles during the Nelson administration. In statements released by the campaign, both cited infrastructure pressures, rapid growth, and internal leadership challenges as reasons for supporting Moore.
Vavrek, who served the city under three mayors — John Land, Joe Kilsheimer, and Nelson — said Apopka needs steady leadership to address strained roads, utilities, and long-term planning.
“Our City is at a critical moment, facing more and more failing infrastructure and unsustainable growth,” Vavrek said. “We need a leader with a proven record of assessing community needs, working effectively with staff, and building partnerships to deliver results. I believe Christine Moore is the clear choice for mayor at this critical moment.”
Vavrek previously served as special projects manager, helping draft ordinances and implement neighborhood assessment programs, before stepping in as interim city administrator. During that time, he worked directly with Nelson and Commissioner Nick Nesta, which he described as a period marked by strained relationships and internal conflict.
Barq, a civil engineer and former chief engineer for Orange County Public Works, briefly served as Apopka’s director of public services last year. His departure marked the fourth leadership change in the department during Nelson’s administration.
In his endorsement, Barq cited the operational demands of rapid growth and the need for long-term infrastructure investment, including roadway improvements and expanded water and wastewater capacity.
“Meeting those demands requires continued investment … and careful coordination to support both short-term and long-term development,” Barq said. “Commissioner Christine Moore brings a strong foundation in these areas.”
Moore said the endorsements reflect shared concerns about the city’s direction and the need for collaborative leadership.
“I am deeply honored to earn the support of Chuck Vavrek and Momtaz Barq—two professionals who dedicated their careers to public service and who understand firsthand the challenges Apopka is facing,” Moore said. “Their experience inside City Hall gives real weight to their voices, and I am grateful for their confidence in my leadership. Apopka is growing faster than our infrastructure and services can keep up, and we cannot afford instability or dysfunction at the top. We need a mayor who will work collaboratively with staff, regional partners, and residents to deliver real solutions. I am committed to restoring effective governance, strengthening our city operations, and investing wisely in infrastructure so Apopka remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Moore currently represents District 2 on the Orange County Commission and previously served on the Orange County School Board.
Election Day in Apopka is March 10.
Key Points:
- Vavrek and Barq, both former Nelson administration leaders, publicly endorsed Moore’s mayoral campaign.
- Vavrek served under three Apopka mayors and worked as interim city administrator and special projects manager.
- Barq, a civil engineer and former Orange County public works chief engineer, briefly led Apopka’s public services department.
- Both cited infrastructure capacity, roadway congestion, utilities, and operational stability as top concerns.
- The Apopka mayoral election is scheduled for March 10.
