Sheila DeCiccio was announced as the winner of Winter Park’s 2024 mayoral election when final vote counts were posted this evening, March 19. She received 71% of the vote against opponent Michael Cameron, who received 29%; however, no candidate in the three-way race to fill DeCiccio’s former City Commission seat received the majority required to declare victory. Craig Russell received 42% of the vote with runner-up Jason Johnson receiving 34%. Stockton Reeves rounded out the list with 24%. A runoff election between Russell and Johnson will be held on April 16.
Throughout her campaign, DeCiccio discussed priorities that include maintaining Winter Park’s small-town charm and funding first responders, but infrastructure has been her primary focus. “One of our biggest priorities right now is improving our Infrastructure – including stormwater drainage, streets, and sidewalks,” she previously told the32789. “If we do not fix our aging infrastructure, our housing values and businesses will decline.”
Traffic management is another priority she plans to focus on during her term and points to Winter Park’s Transportation Master Plan and additional road safety measures that need to be properly funded and followed through. “The city is working with FDOT on the state roads to synchronize the signals, provide turn lanes so traffic does not back up when one car needs to make a left turn, and to make our roads safer,” she said. “These projects include traffic lights, crosswalks, etc. These are all expensive fixes which is why I am working to obtain grants from the Federal government, the State and Orange County.”
Johnson, a commercial trial lawyer, echoes DeCiccio’s position on infrastructure and often voiced the need to preserve city charm, citing it as his “north star” during a candidate forum hosted by Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. He supports the need to improve gateway corridors, to incentivize businesses to create an aesthetically pleasing environment, and supports smart development strategies for growth. “Attractive development that fits the unique character of the city, and that falls within the scope and scale of Winter Park’s land development code, can and should be embraced,” reads a statement on his campaign website.
Russell, a Winter Park High School teacher and coach, also focuses on improving infrastructure but takes a different stance on city charm, choosing instead to focus on the city’s history as a benefit to its economic future. Russell has also said he wants to bring diverse leadership and new perspective to City Commission, and to set an example of service for the next generation. “I would like to bring leadership and volunteerism to show young people how to serve,” he said during the Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. “That’s what elected officials do.”
The candidate forum is available to view on the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
DeCiccio is scheduled to be sworn in on April 10 with the winner of the runoff election to be sworn in on April 24. Mayor Phil Anderson will preside over his final City Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 27. Information on city meetings and agendas can be accessed at cityofwinterpark.org/meetings.
