Apopka\u2019s\u00a0roughly 21%\u00a0turnout in the March 10 election was slightly better than four years ago but still typical for a local race held at an off time of year, according to\u00a0University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett.\u00a0He expected participation to sharply decline in the mayoral runoff, likely to around half the March electorate, making the race a turnout contest between the two candidates\u2019 core supporters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u00a0could turn out 2,500 voters, you probably have an excellent chance of winning,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Candidates Christine Moore and Nick Nesta continue to make their case to voters ahead of the April 14 runoff election, including through social media posts, door-knocking\u00a0and sign-waving.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Policy differences, public\u00a0endorsements\u00a0and political alliances\u00a0have shaped the runoff.\u00a0Both candidates have also addressed governance and leadership style following voters\u2019 decision on March 10 to\u00a0retain\u00a0the city\u2019s strong-mayor form of government.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nesta led the\u00a0general election\u00a0field with 41.6% of the vote, followed by Moore with 31.85%.\u00a0The winner\u00a0of Tuesday\u2019s election\u00a0will be sworn in alongside other newly elected officials on April 28.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Early voting\u00a0started Monday and continues\u00a0from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.\u00a0through Sunday\u00a0at the Apopka Community Center\u00a0(519 S. Central Ave.). Early voting is also available\u00a0from\u00a08 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the\u00a0Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office\u00a0(119 W. Kaley St.,\u00a0Orlando), but only through Friday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Runoff highlights\u00a0<\/p>\n
The latest campaign finance reports \u2013\u00a0dated from\u00a0March 14 to March 27 \u2013 show Moore\u00a0leading\u00a0Nesta, having received $16,350 in contributions, compared to Nesta receiving $3,765 plus a $50 in-kind contribution. Within the same\u00a0treasurer\u2019s\u00a0report period, Moore\u2019s expenditures were $8,788.06 while Nesta\u2019s were\u00a0$1,133.67, according to documents obtained from the city clerk\u2019s office and reviewed by The Apopka Chief.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore\u2019s total monetary contributions to date\u00a0were\u00a0$111,086\u00a0and expenditures\u00a0totaled\u00a0$82,692,32. Nesta\u2019s total monetary contributions\u00a0were\u00a0$19,591, while expenditures\u00a0totaled\u00a0$13,972.58.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
On March 23,\u00a0Moore and Nesta\u00a0faced off\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0only mayoral debate of the runoff<\/a>\u00a0where they outlined differing approaches to\u00a0development and\u00a0growth,\u00a0infrastructure\u00a0and governance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Moore, who currently serves as Orange County\u2019s District 2 commissioner, pointed to her regional experience and relationships at the county level, while Nesta highlighted his local\u00a0governing\u00a0record and familiarity with city operations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n During her closing statement, Moore highlighted collaboration with other government agencies and her experience in office.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith Christine Moore, you\u2019ll have a positive, collaborative relationship with county, state and federal agencies,\u201d she said. \u201cI will have no conflicts of interest as I will serve as your full-time mayor, and I will ensure growth pays for itself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In his closing statement, Nesta emphasized his commitment to residents,\u00a0transparency\u00a0and leadership as a city commissioner.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cApopka deserves leadership that isn\u2019t afraid to ask the hard questions, challenge bad decisions and put residents\u2019 needs first,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Candidates collect endorsements\u00a0<\/p>\n In the weeks\u00a0following the general election, both candidates have\u00a0received endorsements\u00a0from local officials,\u00a0organizations\u00a0and community figures, reflecting broader political alignments within Apopka and Orange County.\u00a0<\/p>\n Moore has secured endorsements from several current and former elected officials and community leaders, including Orange County Sheriff John Mina, five former Orange County commissioners <\/a>and seven former Orange County School Board members.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nesta has earned backing from local groups and public safety advocates, including the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association<\/a>, which cited his support for staffing,\u00a0training\u00a0and fiscal priorities, as well as Yesenia Baron, commissioner-elect to Nesta\u2019s\u00a0seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCommissioner Nesta understands the importance of protecting Apopka\u2019s natural treasures, supporting our small businesses, and ensuring that growth is guided by vision and responsibility,\u201d Baron wrote in a bilingual statement Nesta posted on his Facebook page. \u201cHe brings thoughtful, solution-oriented leadership and a clear plan for our city\u2019s future. Most importantly, he is ready to implement the changes Apopka needs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n A notable development in the runoff has been Nelson\u2019s post-election alignment with Moore, his political rival. Following his third-place finish,\u00a0Nelson\u00a0dropped his residency lawsuit\u00a0against her<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0said he would support Moore in the runoff<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0alliance added\u00a0a new dynamic to the race, as Nelson\u2019s support could influence\u00a0the\u00a02,147\u00a0voters who backed him in the general election. The partnership stopped\u00a0short of a formal endorsement but included\u00a0coordinated outreach to voters and potential transition planning.\u00a0<\/p>\n In her statement, Moore credited Nelson with strengthening the city\u2019s finances, expanding higher-paying job opportunities,\u00a0eliminating\u00a0red-light\u00a0cameras\u00a0and promoting community engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt is vitally important to\u00a0grow on\u00a0these successes from day one in office,\u201d Moore said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nesta said the alliance came as no surprise.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe results from the March 10th election demonstrated that residents are paying close attention and want to have a real conversation about the future of our community,\u201d Nesta wrote in a\u00a0Facebook post<\/a>.\u00a0\u201cOur campaign will remain focused on the issues that matter most to the people of Apopka: responsible leadership, trust, strengthening our community, and addressing the challenges our city faces.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6.png\")
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