Lee County municipal races: Who’s on the Nov. 3 ballot

Nonpartisan candidates are vying for the remaining municipal government seats across Lee County.

Voters will make their final decisions in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

The following races remain in question as residents prepare to vote next week.

In Cape Coral, voters are set to choose a new mayor and City Council members for districts 1, 4 and 6 to help lead the region’s largest city.

Fort Myers residents may pick a new mayor and Ward 3 council member or keep the incumbents in one or both seats.

Bonita Springs candidates are facing off in districts 3 and 5.

And in Fort Myers Beach, four candidates are competing for three seats on the Town Council. Incumbent John McLean withdrew from the race Sept. 15. His name will remain on the ballot, but votes cast for him will not count.

Other municipal seats in Lee County have already been decided or are not up for election, including in Estero and Sanibel.

Here are the remaining municipal candidates, at a glance.

Fort Myers mayor

Incumbent Kevin B. Anderson has served as mayor since November 2020 and previously served as Ward 4 council member. He held longtime positions with the Fort Myers Police Department and later Chico’s FAS Inc. Anderson also served in the U.S. Army. Anderson plans to build on progress made during his term, such as reducing crime, major utility upgrades, a lower overall property tax rate, Midtown redevelopment, the Fort Myers Yacht Basin recovery and a planned Black Cultural Center, according to a statement on his campaign website.

Fort Myers native Amber Ware’s campaign highlights her commitment to fiscal responsibility and extensive experience planning and coordinating capital improvement projects. She has served as division manager of the S.T.A.R.S. Complex, which provides youth and recreation programs, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast University. A statement on Ware’s website outlines her vision: “to invest in older neighborhoods, uplift small businesses, and create more opportunities for youth.”

Fort Myers Ward 3

Incumbent and Fort Myers native Terolyn P. Watson was elected to the City Council in 2015. She has worked for the Lee County School District for 26 years and is assistant secretary of the National Black Caucus of Elected Officials, according to her city biography. Watson has championed funding for the Fort Myers S.T.A.R.S. Complex and other local programs, such as the Midtown utility project and the renovation of McCollum Hall.

Fort Myers native Chantel “Telly” Rhodes plans to use her position to address affordable housing, safety, homelessness, low wages and mental health education, according to a campaign statement. Rhodes’ education includes a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in social work from Georgia State University. She has experience as a mental health navigator and social worker.

Bonita Springs District 3

Ruth Condit’s campaign platform offers commitments to urban aesthetics, efficient zoning practices for small businesses and protecting water quality. She is also principal of Ruth Condit Interiors, a residential interior design consulting business.

Ray Sandelli’s campaign website highlights his conservative principles, with a focus on growth and infrastructure planning that protects the character of local communities. He’s a commercial real estate broker, former Lee County commissioner and former U.S. Navy aviator.

Tim Voit’s platform revolves around smart growth, traffic and infrastructure solutions, public safety and fiscal responsibility. On a campaign website, Voit highlights his experience and education in civil engineering, finance and real estate development.

Bonita Springs District 5

A Bonita Springs native and Florida Gulf Coast University graduate, James Anderst is campaigning “to make Bonita more affordable, protect its natural beauty, and improve quality of life for the people that live here.” Anderst is committed to policies that support Bonita’s waterways, parks and natural areas, sound development and affordable housing.

Incumbent Nigel P. Fullick was elected to the City Council in 2022. His priorities include responsible growth, infrastructure investment, flood protection, veterans and seniors, quality-of-life initiatives and accountable government. Fullick is a U.S. Army veteran with law enforcement experience, a competitive skier and mortgage banker.

Cape Coral mayor

Lisa Cohen-Adkinson is a longtime civic advocate who supports reining in wasteful spending while protecting foundational government services. She points to expensive city projects where current leaders have made missteps and vows to put “residents first — not developers.” Cohen-Adkinson is also owner of Valor Real Estate Services Inc.

Richard “Rick” Erickson’s campaign goals include cutting waste, streamlining government, restoring transparency, fixing infrastructure and keeping taxes flat, according to his campaign website. Erickson is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Green Beret and Army Ranger. Erickson also advocates for hurricane preparedness, smart growth principles and the pursuit of economic development.

Cape Coral District 1

Dave Newton’s campaign supports responsible growth management, property tax reform and improvements to traffic and infrastructure. A retired police officer, Newton is also committed to public safety.

Tom Shadrach’s expertise as a budget manager and watchdog is at the heart of his campaign. A former senior manager for Boeing with degrees in business administration and finance, Shadrach promises to pursue budget reform and act as a check on city government spending.

Cape Coral District 4

Incumbent Jennifer Nelson-Lastra was a District 4 council member from 2017 to 2022 and again from 2024 to 2026. Her priorities include lowering taxes, balancing infrastructure needs with smart growth, parks and increasing the commercial tax base. Nelson-Lastra’s experience includes a career with Goodwill Industries and other nonprofit leadership positions.

James Vargas’ campaign platform includes a focus on smart growth, flood infrastructure development, streamlining permits for small businesses, investment in youth, transparent government and service-oriented leadership. Vargas is co-owner of BeastRX Supplements + Nutrition in Cape Coral.

Cape Coral District 6

Lee County native Liza King’s platform includes fiscal responsibility, public safety, smart growth and community integrity. Civic service has defined King’s career, including as chief deputy court administrator for Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit.

Annette Warren’s priorities include smart growth, infrastructure improvement, restoring trust in government, community engagement, and environmental and water quality protection. Warren’s experience includes her service as a law enforcement officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Fort Myers Beach Town Council

Tom Brady supports human-scale development that protects the island’s character, support for businesses and putting residents first, according to his campaign website. Brady is a U.S. Army veteran who had a career as an engineering manager.

Former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda is a longtime public servant, island resident and business owner. She now serves on the town’s Local Planning Agency.

Incumbent Rebecca Link supports human-scale development, preserving nature and cultural assets, promoting walkability and beach access and balancing tourism with residents’ quality of life. According to Link’s website, she worked in the nuclear power and large power transformer industries.

Edward J. Schoonover serves on the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency. Schoonover aims to be an “independent voice” for residents. “If you like sunsets and property values vote for me,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post. “Ed Schoonover wants to see your legacy property thrive.”