(This story was revised to use the preferred name of one of the candidates.)
Winter Haven Commissioner Brad Dantzler decided to put public speculation to rest on Aug. 25: He won’t be seeking another term.
Dantzler made his announcement at the end of the City Commission’s meeting.
“My time on the Winter Haven city commission is drawing nigh. I’m not going to be filing for re-election for this January,” he said. “I will have served 13 years come January.”
Dantzler was first elected to Seat 4 on the commission in the spring of 2013 and has successfully won re-election three times. He served as the city’s mayor in 2016 and 2018 to 2023.
In a 2021 interview with The Ledger, Dantzler listed the construction of the AdventHealth Field House and Conference Center, South Central Park and the Reuben Williams Sports Complex, formerly named Lake Maude Park, among the city’s biggest accomplishments during his time on the commission.
Dantzler said he would have more to say on his term in office when the time was right, but was letting others know in case they wanted to file to run for Seat 4 this November.
On Nov. 4, Winter Haven residents will be asked to cast their ballot for Seat 4 and Seat 5, currently held by Commissioner Clifton E. Dollison. All commission seats are at-large, non-partisan races for a four-year term.
To date, there are at least two candidates who have filed for reach race.
Matthew Crowley, a paraeducator and local activist, will face off with Chad Davis, former senior legislative assistant to former Florida Sen. Kelli Stargel, for Seat 4. Melinda Kalogridis will challenge Dollison for Seat 5.
Those interested in running must be a U.S. citizen and a Floria resident, be a registered voter in Florida and reside with the city limits of Winter Haven at the time of qualifying.
Qualifying runs Sept. 15 to Sept. 19, with all forms due to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on Sept. 19.
For more information on the city’s upcoming elections, visit Winter Haven’s website at mywinterhaven.com/188/election-information or contact City Clerk Vanessa Castillo at 863-291-5627.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Winter Haven Commissioner Brad Dantzler says he won’t seek another term. Here’s who is running
Reporting by Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
