Jamie Bogacz has won another term on city council in Bonita Springs.
She’s been reelected by default, as the only candidate to qualify for the District 1 council seat.
The city’s election will be held Nov. 3, the same day as Lee County’s general election.
This year, seats in District 1, District 3 and District 5 were up for grabs in Bonita Springs. The deadline to qualify was at noon on Friday, June 12.
First elected to the District 1 council seat in 2022, Bogacz, a Bonita Springs native, felt she was well qualified to care for the community, with more than 15 years of experience in client relations and support services in the healthcare industry.
Since taking office, her priorities have included the revitalization of the downtown district.
Her mission has been to “protect the city as it grows; to make certain that it maintains the hometown feel that she loves, while creating a downtown area that will be pedestrian friendly with things to offer like public access to the river, shops, restaurants, green space, parks and concerts to make Bonita Springs a popular destination.”
In a statement, Bogacz said she’s honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the residents of District 1 — and all of Bonita Springs.
“While I ran unopposed in this election, I am humbled by the confidence and trust the community has placed in me over the past four years,” she said. “I have worked hard to listen to residents and make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of Bonita Springs.”
She continued: “I look forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow council members, staff, and residents to build on the progress we have made. Together, we can continue moving Bonita Springs forward while preserving the qualities that make our community so special.”
In 2022, Bogacz, now 47, replaced Amy Burns Quaremba, with 60.20% of the vote.
District 1 covers the northwestern section of the city, generally stretching from the Estero Bay/Lovers Key area south into neighborhoods west of U.S. 41.
City council will get at least one new face
Come November, the council will have at least one new face.
The mayor and city council members are strictly limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms. After reaching her term limit this year, Laura Carr could not seek reelection in District 3.
“Even with the good, bad and ugly, I have loved my time on Council, and I believe there are those that appreciated my service — of course, one cannot please everyone,” she said.
Three candidates have qualified to replace her. They are:
District 3 encompasses areas generally east of U.S. 41 and south of East Terry Street, looping around Old U.S. 41 and extending south toward the Collier County line.
In District 5, Nigel Fullick is running for reelection, with one opponent.
An Army veteran, Fullick has a long list of accomplishments, including racing in the World Cup for two years as an avid snow skier and founding the largest charter ski company in Florida, which he later sold. He currently works as a regional manager for Newrez, a mortgage lender and loan servicer.
In 2022, Fullick won the District 5 seat with 64.57% of the vote. His vision is for a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Bonita Springs.
His opponent, James Anderst, a native of Bonita Springs, is a professional chauffeur for Naples Transportation & Tours. A graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, he’s now pursuing a master’s degree at Florida Atlantic University.
District 5 is roughly bounded by East Terry Street to the north and U.S. 41 to the west, extending eastward toward Interstate 75, and including local preserve areas. It ends just north of the Spanish Wells Golf & Country Club.
In Bonita Springs, elections are nonpartisan. Candidate names will appear on the ballot without political party affiliation.
A map of the city’s districts can be found here: Bonita_Springs_City_Council_Districts MJS.pdf.
Laura Layden is a senior business and government reporter. Reach her by email at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Without challengers, Jamie Bogacz wins another term in Bonita Springs
Reporting by Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Laura Layden, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
