LAKELAND, FL. – Today, Tuesday, Nov 2, residents of Lakeland, Florida, will be casting their votes in the 2021 local Municipal election. Three local offices will be up for election.
Residents of Lakland will vote on who their next mayor, District C: Southwest and District D: Southeast commissioner will be. Each precinct location will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on election day.
The current Mayor of Lakeland, Bill Mutz, will be running for reelection against Saga Stevin. In District C, Sara Roberts McCarley is the incumbent and will be running against Allyson Lewis. Then in District D, Mike Musik will also be looking for reelection against Dr. Shandale Terrel.
Bill Mutz was elected to be the Mayor of Lakeland in 2018. Mutz first moved to Lakeland in 1996. When Mayor Mutz moved to Central Florida, he became co-owner of the Lakeland Automall. Since being a Lakeland resident, Mayor Mutz also helped plant Grace City Church and has served on 21 non-profit boards. While Mayor Mutz has served the City of Lakeland, it has seen one of the country’s largest population growths per capita.
Running against Mayor Mutz is Saga Stevin. Stevin is a Florida native and spent her childhood in Lakeland. In 1999 Stevin wrote a Christain best-selling book titled “The Golden Triangle, a Philosophy on Dating and Relationships”. In addition, Stevin in 2008 developed an all-natural plant-based serum for horses. Most recently, in 2020, Stevin moved back to Lakeland. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Citizens Council for Health Freedom and the Polk Education Foundation.
On January 22, 2019, Sara Roberts McCarley was sworn in as the District D: Southeast Commissioner. McCarley was born in Lakeland and stayed in town where she graduated from Florida Southern College. McCarley worked with Best Buddies International, where she looked to help individuals with disabilities and she is now currently serving as the Executive Director of Polk Vision.
Running against McCarley is first-time candidate Allyson Lewis. Like McCarley, Lewis is also a Lakeland native. Lewis is a Virginia State University graduate. While living in Lakeland, Lewis has worked as a social justice advocate and political organizer. The four pillars of her campaign are economic development, public safety, affordable housing, and programs for youth. In response to the death of George Floyd, Lewis hosted forums to open dialogue on racial issues in the community.
In the third race taking place on November 2nd, Mike Musik is looking for reelection in District D: Southwest. Musik began his time as a city commissioner in May of 2021. Musik is no stranger to Lakeland. He graduated from Lakeland Christain High School in 1991 and has lived in the city for over 40 years. For over 20 years, Musik has run his construction and roofing business in Lakeland. Musik hopes to shape a city that is pro small business.
The other candidate running in District D is Dr. Shandale Terrel. This election will be Dr. Terrel’s first time running for public office. Like some of the other candidates, Dr. Terrel was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. Dr. Terrel currently works as an educator in the Polk County School system. Dr. Terrel has served Lakeland in other roles including working on the Lakeland Gang Task Force Committee and his involvement with the Chamber of Commerce.
To inquire how to vote on election day or see a sample ballot, visit polkelections.com. The website also allows an individual to review or update their voter registration information, request a mail ballot, and check the status of their mail ballot.
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