By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
Last week, first-time candidate William Dabbs announced he was withdrawing from the 2026 Apopka Mayoral election. That brought the field down to two: incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson and Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore.
But is the field about to expand back to three?
A wave of mailers stamped with “Make Apopka Great Again” recently landed in about 15,000 Apopka mailboxes, urging voters to consider alternatives to the current candidates in the 2026 mayoral race. The mailers, funded by Apopka resident Matt Aungst, coincided with the launch of a Facebook page of the same name. Both were intended, he says, to spark dialogue, not to announce a candidacy.
In a text thread with The Apopka Voice, Aungst answered a few questions, but also stressed that in honor of the“15 Days of Hope” this month, he is holding off on further public commentary:
“Out of deep respect for the Duran family and to honor the ‘15 Days of Hope’ dedicated to Austin, I have pledged not to comment further. I plan on honoring that commitment,” he said.
Related: Second Annual Fifteen Days of Hope honors fallen firefighter Austin Duran.
However, he clarified his intent with the mailer and Facebook page.
“My interest and the purpose in sending out the mailer was to foster a conversation among the voters for a better option in a candidate than the two currently running. I want better for the city and will use my resources for the above purpose.”
But Aungst is not declaring his candidacy because of the mailers.
“There are several options on the table. The discussions will take place in many places and not just on social media.”
This unconventional approach could put Aungst in a gray area of Florida election law. Under Florida Statute 106.021, no one may accept contributions or make campaign-related expenditures—including political mailers—without first filing an Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository (Form DS-DE 9). Violating this rule is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The Florida Elections Commission (FEC) may also impose civil fines of up to $1,000 per violation, and each mailer could count as a separate offense if deemed a political ad.
Aungst maintains that the mailer is not a campaign communication, stating:
“I wouldn’t consider it a political mailer," he said. "I’m not campaigning as a candidate, nor is anyone at this point. I spent my own money as an Apopka taxpayer to drive a conversation that is much needed in Apopka. I own the trademark to the logo you see on the front. If those of us who have the resources don't use them for the betterment of the city in which we live, we are simply acquiescing to the status quo. I could not, in good conscience, continue to sit idly by and witness what I have seen with my own eyes."
Election day in Apopka is March 10th, 2026. The deadline to register to vote is February 9th, and the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is February 26th.
