Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal is officially running for a second term.
Sortal, a longtime journalist-turned-public official, just filed paperwork to seek re-election to the office he won in 2022.
He’s the first candidate to file for Plantation’s Nov. 3 election, according to the City Clerk’s Office.
Sortal is in his eighth straight year as an elected official in Plantation, which sits near the center of Broward County and is home to nearly 100,700 residents. Before taking the Mayor’s job, he served on the City Council, working on initiatives to implement police body cameras, open North Acres Park, and launch the University of Plantation program, which teaches residents about city operations.
Last year, he led the city in implementing its first millage-rate reduction in seven years.
“Helping residents and working to keep our city safe, clean and green is my focus every day,” he said in a statement. “People are everything.”
Sortal’s campaign, which has enlisted the help of Plantation-headquartered MDW Communications and carries an early endorsement from Broward Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, highlighted the creation of a city stormwater management team to combat flooding and enhanced community events, including Light Up City Hall, Rock the Park and Santa’s Visit.
Sortal also noted that he’s broadened communications with residents through a regular email newsletter, weekly “Monday Mayor’s Minute” video and direct responses on social media.
“Our employees — and our residents — clearly understand that they can talk to me,” he said.
His campaign added that Sortal’s efforts to improve the culture at City Hall have been successful, citing a survey showing that 74% of respondents agree he is approachable, compared to 38% of those who said the same about his predecessor in a 2017 poll.
Sortal’s efforts to win Plantation’s highest office — the only strong Mayor post in Broward — began as criticism of the city’s previous Mayor, Lynn Stoner, whom he criticized for allegedly misusing funds, violating the city charter and other ethical and legal issues.
About six months after Sortal defeated her with 61% of the vote, Stoner turned herself in at Broward’s main jail on charges of official misconduct (a felony), falsifying records and influencing a building official.
The case remains open, according to the Broward Clerk’s Office. Stoner has denied any intentional wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Sortal was a registered Republican until 2017, when he re-registered as a Democrat for about a year before switching back to Republican, state records show. He spent 35 years as a news writer and editor, including 30 years at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and about three years freelancing for the Miami Herald.
Plantation’s elections are nonpartisan.
The post Nick Sortal files to run for second term as Plantation Mayor appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service.
The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
