OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It’s Election Day in Ocala! But, you wouldn’t really know it because our eyes aren’t being bombarded with yards signs, billboards or people on corners holding placards urging you to honk if you’re for their candidate.
That’s because today is a nonpartisan municipal election and there’s only one contested race on the ballot.
That race? Ocala’s District 2 City Council seat.
Incumbent councilman Ire Bethea, Sr. faces opposition from educator “Coach” Reginald Landers.
Bethea was elected to represent the district in 2020. District 2 encompasses the northwestern part of Ocala.
Landers has been an educator for nearly 30 years and is currently a physical education teacher at College Park Elementary School. When I spoke to him on Monday, the sounds of energetic students in the background nearly drowned out his voice. “I will be available to the people of the district responsive to their needs,” said Landers. He says his focus would be on economic and community development. He says the first thing he would do if elected would be hold community meetings so that he could hear from constituents. “So that they have a say versus being told what’s going to be done regarding things that impact their lives,” said Landers.
Voter turnout is historically low in municipal elections, especially when there is only one contested race on the ballot. Landers urged people to get out and vote today saying, “Your vote is your voice.”
When asked what he is most looking forward to if he wins, Landers said, “The chance for the Lord to use me as a gardener – to plant seeds. He’ll water them as they grow.”
In the last few days of the campaign, Bethea raised another $1,000 in donations but hasn’t spent any additional funds according to campaign finance disclosures on the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website. Meantime, Landers hasn’t raised any additional funds but spent a little more than $2,000 in the final push to the election. 352today last checked the campaign coffers last Friday, Sept. 15.
Bethea did not respond to multiple attempts to reach him via his city council email address ahead of publication.
Polls will be open today, Sept. 19, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place here.
Other Races on the Ballot
The race for Mayor and City Council District 4 are also on the ballot this election cycle but neither faces a challenger.
Current Mayor Kent Guinn did not seek re-election. Ocala businessman Ben Marciano ran unopposed for the position and will be sworn in as Ocala’s next mayor on December 5.
District 4 Councilmember Kristen Dreyer joined the council in December 2021 and has no opposition.