Just as in national elections, campaigns for local elections are getting started earlier than ever.

The Apopka mayoral race is no different.

This week, both Mayor Joe Kilsheimer and his top challenger, Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson, announced that they will run for mayor for a four-year term that begins more than a year from now.

Kilsheimer, who is in his first term, was elected in April 2014, defeating longtime Apopka Mayor John H. Land in a four-way race after serving two years of his first term at a city commissioner.

Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer
Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer

Kilsheimer made his announcement Wednesday, March 15, during the mayor’s report portion of the Apopka City Council meeting.

“It seems like campaign season is upon us, so I’m going to announce tonight that I am going to be a candidate for re-election for mayor next year,” he said. “I guess that begins the campaign. We’ll all look forward to seeing what happens.”

Kilsheimer said he had been asked by citizens if he was going to run again and that he also so heard that people were saying he wasn’t going to run for a second term.

Orange County Commissioner, Bryan Nelson
Orange County Commissioner, Bryan Nelson

Nelson, meanwhile, announced his candidacy for mayor Thursday, March 16, at The Catfish Place restaurant. He gave notice of the announcement Wednesday, March 15, on a Facebook post.

“After long and many discussions with my family and close friends, I have decided to run for mayor here in our great city of Apopka,” Nelson said. “I am excited about the opportunity to serve in a new role and will bring my passion for our city to this campaign.”

Immediately after Mayor Kilsheimer made his announcement, Commissioner Diane Velazquez also said she would be running for re-election. “Same thing with me. Yes, I will be running for re-election,” she said.

Commissioner Billie Dean, whose term also expires next year, has made no announcement about his intentions.

The date for the election is set each year by the City Council but municipal elections in Apopka are generally held on the first Tuesday of March, meaning it is expected that the 2018 election will be held on March 6.

Qualifying for the mayor’s race and two City Council seats will be in mid-December.

This story appears in its entirety in the Friday, March 17, issue of The Apopka Chief.