By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
The Apopka City Commission Seat #3 special election is about to get a heavy dose of clarity at high noon this Friday. The qualifying period begins today (Monday, June 13th) at noon and ends on Friday, June 17th at noon. Then, and only then, will we know where this election stands.
Commissioner Doug Bankson shocked the City Council at its February 16th meeting when he announced he would vacate Seat #3 and run in the Florida House District 39 election. But the rollercoaster ride did not end there.
At first, it was believed that the special election for Seat #3 would coincide with the November 8th statewide general election. Then it was later changed to be on the August 23rd primary election ballot, with the runoff on November 8th if necessary.
On May 6th, The Apopka Voice reported that three candidates announced their intention to run - Wes Dumey, Lynetta Johnson, and Eric Mock. Former commissioner and mayoral candidate Kyle Becker announced then that he would not run in the Seat #3 election.
But then, on May 25th, Becker made the surprise announcement that he would run for Seat #3.
“My continued desire to help shape the future of Apopka far outweighs the outcome of my recent mayoral campaign," Becker said in a statement to The Apopka Voice. "I take great pride in my service over the last 6 years as Commissioner of Seat 4, and I’m excited to announce my intention to run in the upcoming Apopka special election so I can continue in that service as Commissioner of Seat 3."
Dumey, who ran in the Seat #2 election in March, told The Apopka Voice he will make his final decision later in the week.
"I'm going to see how things develop this week so if I choose to qualify it will be towards the end of the week," he said. "Obviously it’s different running against a former Commissioner (Becker) who’s re-entered the race than running strictly based on ideas and visions for the City. I’m very comfortable with the inroads I have made with the community and the vision I have articulated for the future. Let’s see what happens as I would like to be part of driving Apopka forward.”
Johnson, who is a first time candidate for office in Apopka, has confirmed she will enter the election and qualify this week.
"I am running for City Commissioner, Seat #3, because I live here in Apopka," Johnson said. "I am a homeowner, parent, and grandparent. I want to keep this town an amazing place to raise a family and I want current businesses to thrive, in addition to welcoming new businesses that will contribute to the City of Apopka and our citizens. I would like to see ONE Apopka, in addition to strategically target the tech industries and business sectors to flourish in Apopka and to create new job opportunities."
Mock, who ran in the Seat #4 election in March, toldThe Apopka Voice on June 5th that he would not run in the special election.
And although these are the only candidates to announce their intentions, it does not rule out a surprise or two during qualifying week. In 2018, Alice Nolan made no announcement before, yet qualified and ultimately won the Seat #2 election in 2018. In 2022, both Dumey and Mock qualified on the last two days to run for Seats #3 and #4 respectively despite no previous announcement.
Early voting for the August 23rd election is from August 8th-21st at the VFW/Apopka Community Center. If there is a November 8th runoff election, early voting will be from October 24th-November 6th, also at the VFW/Apopka Community Center.
You must be registered with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections by July 25th in order to vote in the special election.
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