OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A second qualifying period gave eight candidates another opportunity to get their name on the ballot for the City of Ocala mayoral race and Ocala City Council seats numbers 1, 3 and 5.
Special Election Set for Sept. 16
A proclamation was made by Mayor Ben Marciano on July 14, 2025, that a special election would take place on Sept. 16, 2025. The new qualifying period began July 16 and ended at noon on July 18.
Six Candidates Confirmed; Two Await Verification
As of 12 p.m. July 18, 2025, six of the candidates had qualified for the Sept. 16, 2025, special election ballot. Two others – Neil J. Gillespie, who is seeking the City of Ocala mayoral seat, and TamBoura Jenkins, who will be seeking the Ocala City Council Dist. no. 3 seat – are waiting to have their petition signatures verified by the Marion County Supervisor of Elections.
“At the close of the qualifying period last Friday [July 11, 2025] the seven candidates who had submitted their packets each had at least one defect with respect to their qualifying payment checks and there are six requirements for that under section 106.11 Florida Statutes,” said Will Sexton, City of Ocala attorney. “As part of the review process, the petitions that they have to submit are sent to the supervisor of elections.”
Two Incumbent Councilmen Run Unopposed
Ocala City Councilmen Barry Mansfield, Ocala City Council Dist. no. 1 and Jim Hilty Sr. District no. 5, will run unopposed.
Councilman Jim Hilty Sr. referred to the initial qualifying period as a learning experience.
“We all had to go through the extra work, but everything seemed to be working out, so we’re all happy,” said Hilty Jr.
Mayoral and District 3 Races Take Shape
In the mayoral race, incumbent City of Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano will be seeking his second term and will be challenged by political newcomer Zackary “Arbor” Feliciano.
In Ocala City Council District no. 3, all of the candidates failed to qualify during the first qualifying period. As a result, incumbent Councilman Jay Musleh – who initially wasn’t seeking reelection – decided to run for the seat, which he has held for the past 13 years.