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Apopka Elections 2022

Out of town donations fuel Nelson's fundraising advantage

Three commission candidates still running unopposed

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Incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson extended his fundraising lead over Commissioner Kyle Becker in the 2022 Apopka Mayoral election with a haul of over $10,000 in November. That amount includes in-kind donations from Robyn Benge ($757.81) of Winter Park for hosting a fundraiser for Nelson and from award-winning barbecue pitmaster Rodney Scott (of Netflix fame) for catering the event ($925.00).

Benge is the wife of Tony Benge, President of the Benge Development Corporation, which is currently developing the $500 million-plus Floridian Town Center mixed-use project in Apopka and submitted a letter of intent to purchase the city-owned Harmon Road properties.

In total, Nelson raised $10,408.81 in November from 31 donors, including 19 with out-of-town addresses and 12 from Apopka.

Nelson now stands at $48,725 in fundraising efforts since starting his candidacy. He spent $9,997.91 of those funds on the campaign and has $38,727.09 in his campaign account.

Becker received $2,733.01 in campaign contributions from 16 donors in November. That includes an $83.01 in-kind donation and 14 contributors with Apopka addresses, and two with out-of-town addresses.

Becker raised $19,965 since he began his campaign and has spent $9,823.27, leaving $10,141.73 in his campaign account.

Both Becker and Nelson are lagging behind the pace set in the 2018 election, when then-Mayor Joe Kilsheimer had raised $52,225, while then-challenger Nelson raised $52,335 by the end of November.

November was quiet in the three city commission campaigns, which are still single candidates running with no opponent.

Commissioner Diane Velazquez (Seat #2) raised $1,625 from four donors in November, all from Apopka, which gives her a total of $3,625 since she began her campaign. Velazquez has spent $23.70 and has $3,601.30 on hand.

Nick Nesta, running for Seat #4, filed a waiver report indicating he did not raise funds in November. Nesta is currently running unopposed for the seat, which is currently held by Becker. But because Becker is running for mayor, he has to vacate that post.

Commissioner Alexander Smith (Seat #1) also reported no fundraising activity in November. 

Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, City Commissioner Kyle Becker, City Commissioner Diane Velazquez, City Commissioner Alexander Smith, Nick Nesta, Election Apopka 2022

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