County commissioner to challenge two-term incumbent Bryan Nelson
By Teresa Sargeant
Reporter
Orange County District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore announced in an April 7 statement that she will run for Apopka mayor, seeking to unseat two-term incumbent Bryan Nelson.
Moore listed a five-point platform to her campaign: halt any more suburban sprawl; address reclaimed water, sewer and road infrastructure deficiencies; prioritize the revitalization of downtown Apopka; spread tax dollars to every corner of the city; and lead with transparency and honesty.
“If successful, I promise to work diligently solving Apopka’s numerous infrastructure debacles, lack of City staffing, and insecure financial future,” Moore said in her announcement. “I plan increased opportunities for citizen engagement, a revitalized downtown Apopka, and desire to restore joy and civility in the community.”
Moore’s announcement comes 11 months before the March 2026 city elections, which will also include races for City Council seats 1 and 2. Nelson has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term.
Moore was elected as District 2 commissioner in 2018 after serving from 2009 to 2018 on the Orange County School Board. She has served as vice-chair of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, Orange County School Board, and will become chair of MetroPlan Orlando.
In her announcement, Moore touted her work on a $125 million septic-to-sewer program for 2,000 homes to improve water quality and preserve Wekiwa Springs. Since then, 500 homes have switched to sewer in this initiative.
Moore also cited her work for a short-term solution for the Border Lake flooding in the Piedmont-Wekiwa Road/S.R. 436 area, and a push for improvements in downtown Apopka that brought about wayfinding signage, the Apopka skate park and pump track, and Downtown Area Trail.
Moore voted to fund the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program, an Orange County initiative focused on improving pedestrian safety by kicking off safety, sidewalk, lighting, and transit projects. The program resulted in the construction of new sidewalks in older unincorporated Apopka neighborhoods, Apopka streets getting lighting, and the installation of four-way stops at intersections.
She has also helped start a neighborhood leader program, bringing together independent groups to clean up corridors, mount family events and curate community murals, according to her announcement.
As Orange County School Board member for District 7, which encompasses Apopka, Moore said she oversaw the construction of 18 new schools in one decade. They include Apopka, Clay Springs, Dream Lake, Lovell, Phillis Wheatley, Rock Springs and Zellwood elementary schools; and Apopka Memorial Middle School.
A 35-year resident of Apopka, Moore has been a professional musician, music instructor and real estate investor. She is the mother of two adult children and grandmother of four.
Moore also helped Joe Kilsheimer mount a successful campaign to defeat long-time Apopka Mayor John Land in 2014.
The Apopka Chief is an award-winning weekly newspaper serving the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923.
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