Lee Commissioner Ray Sandelli wants David Mulicka to replace his seat

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Jun. 29, 2023, 1:31 p.m. ET | Updated Jun. 30, 2023

Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli endorses David Mulicka for the District 3 commission race in Fort Myers, Fla., June 29, 2023 (Picture/David Mulicka campaign)

FORT MYERS, Fla. (FLV) – Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli endorsed Republican David Mulicka to replace him in the county’s 2024 District 3 race.

Sandelli announced he would not seek re-election and put his support behind Mulicka.

“With that personal decision, comes in part the effort to help support someone who will continue to serve Lee County and District 3 going forward, an individual who I believe shares a very similar focus of family, conservative values, environmental stewardship, and business acumen,” Sandelli said in a statement.

Gov. Ron DeSantis had appointed Sandelli to the seat in 2019 and was elected to a full term in 2020. The commissioner expressed his “full endorsement” of Mulicka.

“I hope you will join me in supporting his efforts as we continue to build on the strong fundamentals we have established and work to carry forward in Lee County,” Sandelli said.

Mulicka said in an email that he was honored to receive the commissioner’s endorsement.

“When Commissioner Ray Sandelli announced he would not seek re-election, I knew it was time to step up and bring my family values, conservative principles, and business experience to the table,” Mulicka said.

Mulicka is married to Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers, who helped carry the six-week abortion ban, which was ultimately signed into law.

According to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office, Republican Brian Farrar is the other Republican who has thrown his hat into the race.

“I’m ready to use my experience as a community leader to bring commonsense solutions back to the Lee County Commissioner. Count on it!” Farrar said in an email.