APOPKA, Fla. – America's oldest mayor will be facing perhaps the biggest challenge in his 61-year political career when takes on challenger Joe Kilsheimer during a runoff election April 8.
John Land, 93, is hoping to win a 20th term as Apopka's mayor. But in Tuesday's election, Kilsheimer led with 48 percent of the vote. Land took 38 percent, with Glen Chancy taking 10 percent and Gregg Phillips 4 percent.
Since nobody received 50 percent of the vote, the law requires a runoff election between Kilsheimer and Land.
"It's been great," Land told a crowd of cheering supporters after Tuesday's election results were announced. "We have to go to work tomorrow. We've got a great team and we're gonna win. With the economy getting better, I'd like to continue on another four years."
Kilsheimer, a public relations strategist and Apopka city commissioner, pointed out that majority of voters who turned out for Tuesday's election cast their ballots for candidates other than Land.
"People are looking for a new direction," said Kilsheimer. "The mayor has been mayor for 60 years. People are looking for change"