Apopka Elects Nick Nesta as New Mayor in Landslide Victory

Nesta, a political newcomer, defeats longtime officeholder Christine Moore who had the backing of the outgoing mayor.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:35pm

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A warm, cinematic painting of a solitary city hall building in Apopka, Florida, with diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of political transition and change.The election of political outsider Nick Nesta as Apopka's new mayor signals a shift in the city's leadership and a desire for change among residents.Apopka Today

Apopka Commissioner Nick Nesta won the city's mayoral runoff election in a landslide on Tuesday, defeating Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore. Nesta, a 36-year-old realtor, presented himself as the anti-establishment candidate and promised to bring fresh ideas and change to the city. Moore, who had the endorsement of outgoing Mayor Bryan Nelson, argued her years of experience made her the better choice, but ultimately lost by a wide margin.

Why it matters

Nesta's victory represents a significant shift in Apopka's political landscape, as he positioned himself as a challenger to the city's political establishment. His win could signal a desire among Apopka residents for new leadership and a change in the way the city is governed.

The details

Nesta captured around 62% of the vote against Moore, who had been endorsed by outgoing Mayor Bryan Nelson. Nesta, who was elected to the city commission in a special election in 2022 and reelected last year, presented himself as the change candidate, criticizing Moore and Nelson as career politicians. Nelson had been seeking a third term as mayor but was eliminated in the initial three-way race, leading to the runoff between Nesta and Moore.

  • The mayoral runoff election was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Nesta will be sworn in as mayor on April 28, 2026.

The players

Nick Nesta

A 36-year-old realtor and owner of Nesta Real Estate Consultants, Nesta was elected to the Apopka city commission in a special election in 2022 and reelected in 2023. He campaigned as the anti-establishment candidate and promised to bring fresh ideas and change to the city.

Christine Moore

A longtime officeholder, Moore was elected to the Orange County School Board three times starting in 2008 and then to the District 2 seat on the county commission in 2018 and 2022. She was endorsed by outgoing Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson in the mayoral race.

Bryan Nelson

The outgoing mayor of Apopka, Nelson had been seeking a third term in office but was eliminated in the initial three-way race, leading to the runoff between Nesta and Moore.

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What they’re saying

“I'm all about the residents, and I've proven that time and time again that I want their voices to be echoed. We need fresh ideas. The tired way of doing things is just not working anymore and you can see that tangibly in the quality of life that we have, [in] our utility bills, our infrastructure.”

— Nick Nesta, Mayoral Candidate

“Nesta has also been accused by fellow Apopka Commissioner Nadia Anderson of allegedly using 'deeply concerning' legal tactics against multiple women in prominent local roles, including herself, Moore and Nelson's wife.”

— Nadia Anderson, Apopka Commissioner

What’s next

Nesta will be sworn in as the new mayor of Apopka on April 28, 2026, replacing outgoing mayor Bryan Nelson.

The takeaway

Nesta's landslide victory over the establishment-backed candidate Moore signals a desire among Apopka residents for new leadership and a change in the way the city is governed. As a political newcomer, Nesta will face the challenge of navigating Apopka's political landscape and delivering on his promises of fresh ideas and change.