Ballot is set: Two candidates for mayor; three for Seat 2

As qualifying ended at noon on Monday, two more candidates turned in the required petitions

Dec. 11, 2023

By Beth Kassab

The ballot is set for the March 19 election with two candidates qualifying for the mayor’s race and three running for Seat 2 on the City Commission.

City Clerk Rene Cranis confirmed Monday afternoon that the Orange County Supervisor of Elections office has now verified petitions for all of the candidates. The qualifying period ended at noon on Monday.

Vice Mayor and attorney Sheila DeCiccio is running for mayor along with real estate school owner Michael Cameron Sidawi. Cranis said he filed the necessary paperwork for his name to appear as Michael Cameron on the ballot.

DeCiccio sent an email to supporters on Monday with a holiday message and emphasized her priorities.

“If I’m elected Mayor, I will continue to focus on the same important priorities: putting residents first at City Hall, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and retaining the charm and character of our wonderful City – making Winter Park the very best place to live, work, and play,” she said.

The email included a list of the names of more than 300 supporters of her campaign, a who’s who of Winter Park, including Mayor Phil Anderson, Commissioner Todd Weaver, developer Alan Ginsburg, former gubernatorial candidate Chris King and Craig DeLongy, owner of John Craig Clothier on Park Avenue.

Cameron did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Monday afternoon. When reached by the Voice on Friday, Cameron declined to answer questions about his campaign.

Seat 2 is an open seat because DeCiccio was required to resign effective after the election in order to run for mayor.

The three candidates competing for the seat are Jason Johnson, an attorney; Stockton Reeves, director of the Center for Public Safety and Craig Russell, a teacher and coach at Winter Park High School.

Candidates for both races will be required to turn in their first financial reports in January ahead of the March 19 election.

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