Matt Aungst, candidate for Mayor of Apopka.
By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
Matt Aungst never imagined himself running for office.
“I’ve always been on the periphery of politics,” Aungst said. “I don’t think I ever had a proclivity to be out in front, because that’s not necessarily in my nature. But I’ve watched as the City has gone through discourse and chaos in the past several years, and I felt like if I had the ability to do something and I didn’t, I would live to regret it.”
A self-described pragmatist, he built a career in law, raised a family, and stayed mostly on the sidelines of politics. But as he watched Apopka City Hall become mired in controversy and financial uncertainty, he decided to take action.
Aungst describes it as a dark cloud hanging over Apopka — years of financial uncertainty, stalled development, and a City Hall where information seems more guarded than shared. For a long time, Aungst watched quietly from the sidelines, a citizen with growing concerns. He attended council meetings, followed the debates, and studied the City’s budget numbers.
But then this spring, Aungst decided the only way to clear those clouds was to step into the storm.
A candidate without strings
Aungst, 49, has lived in Apopka since 2017. He's making his case to Apopka voters in the 2026 mayoral election, presenting himself as a candidate free of political baggage and outside influence.
This election will feature two of northwest Orange County’s most familiar political figures — incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson and Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore. Aungst, who has never held elected office, is positioning himself as the outsider in the race. His message centers on transparency, financial discipline, and what he calls a “reset” in the way Apopka conducts business.
Independence through self-funding
Aungst’s early decision to invest heavily in his own campaign has drawn attention. His initial contribution of $265,000 far outpaces what Nelson and Moore are expected to raise individually. But Aungst argues the money is less about dominance and more about independence.
“Most campaign contributions come from companies, developers, and people who expect something in return,” he said. “The only way to do a complete reset is to not take any money from developers and special interests.”
Instead, Aungst says he will run his campaign on his own terms, without being beholden to anyone. That approach, he believes, will resonate with residents who are frustrated with how the City government operates.
The case for pragmatism
If elected, Aungst promises to bring a different leadership style to Apopka City Hall — one that he says prioritizes data, transparency, and respect.
“I’m not afraid to say I’m not the smartest person in the room,” he said. “That’s why you hire strong professionals, get their opinions, and then make decisive executive actions. What we have now is a system where information doesn’t flow. Even commissioners don’t have all the data they need when they vote.”
He envisions an administration where department heads are chosen for their expertise, commissioners receive every piece of information they request, and residents no longer feel critical decisions are made behind closed doors.
“Transparency isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet,” he added. “It’s about restoring trust. People deserve to know what’s going on in their own city.”
Financial concerns are at the top of the list
Ask Aungst about the City’s biggest challenges, and he doesn’t hesitate - finances.
“I’m very worried about how the City sits financially,” he said. “The budget process has been rushed and opaque. Commissioners ask for data and are told, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ Meanwhile, the finance department has doubled in size since 2022, yet the information still isn’t flowing. Meanwhile, we’re looking at pulling around $8 million from reserves just to cover this budget.”
In particular, he worries that miscalculations and over-optimistic revenue forecasts are leaving Apopka vulnerable.
“Growth is happening, but the numbers aren’t adding up,” Aungst said. “We can’t keep putting off tough financial decisions and expect things to fix themselves.”
If elected, he says he would start the budget process months earlier, give commissioners better data, and put transparency at the center of fiscal management.
Growth and development: “We’re being out-negotiated”
Aungst also wants to examine how Apopka manages growth more closely. He believes the City is too often reactive, allowing developers to dictate terms without securing the infrastructure needed to support new residents.
“I honestly think we’re being out-negotiated,” he said. “Developers come in with attorneys and architects, and we don’t have the right people in the room fighting for the City. That’s why you see certificates of occupancy issued while roads remain unchanged.”
Asked what Apopka would look like after his first term, Aungst talks less about buildings and more about community spirit.
“I think the first step is restoring pride in our city,” he said. “That means citizens feel like they’re informed, that their government is working in the open, and that decisions are being made with the future in mind. From there, we can build the downtown, the green spaces, the infrastructure. But pride and trust have to come first.”
He points to cities like Winter Garden and Mount Dora as models of community-driven downtown redevelopment, where residents and business owners shared a vision before construction began. “That’s the kind of collaboration Apopka needs,” he said.
Resetting the tone on City Council
Beyond finances and development, Aungst sees another urgent task: repairing the tone of Apopka’s political discourse. He believes council meetings have become unnecessarily combative.
“We need to treat each other with respect,” he said. “A lot of the chaos comes from a lack of information, but it’s also about how we conduct ourselves. Meetings should be run with clear rules, not personal agendas.”
Aungst envisions a Council where debates are civil, information is shared freely, and residents feel a sense of pride in their government again.
Campaign outlook
Running against two experienced politicians, Aungst acknowledges that name recognition is not on his side. But he believes his funding advantage, coupled with new outreach tools, will make him competitive.
“Campaigns are changing,” he said. “You can’t just rely on the same old playbook. We’re going to use different tools and approaches to reach people.”
He also insists that his campaign will remain focused on issues, not personal attacks. “My commitment is to be positive, to be in it until the end, and to make Apopka start winning again,” he said.
If he wins in March, Aungst knows he will face a steep climb. Fixing Apopka’s finances, negotiating smarter growth, and restoring trust won’t happen overnight. He says it will take work, commitment, and time — but he’s ready.
“I don’t know if four years will be enough,” he said. “It might take a second term. But the goal is to get us on the right path as quickly as possible. My commitment is to be positive, be transparent, and make Apopka start winning again.”
For Aungst, “winning” isn’t about politics. It’s about the community he calls home.
“It’s about pride,” he said. “Pride in our city, pride in how we treat each other, and pride in the decisions we make for the future. That’s what I want Apopka to feel again.”
For more details on Aungst, go to his campaign website.
