As of 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, voters in the City of Lake Wales may have at least three candidates to consider on the ballot in April.
Jennifer Nanek, City Clerk for the City of Lake Wales, says that three candidates have filed to run for mayor this far; Jack Hilligoss, Curtis Gibson and Kasen Hampton have each files the initial paperwork.
Both Hilligoss and Gibson have qualified to run, while Hampton has until Friday, Feb. 14 at noon to do so, Nanek says.
Steps to qualify to run for the office include several forms to be filled out, 25 nominating petitions and the filing fee of $161.08.
The formal instruction on qualifying to run for the office of Mayor of Lake Wales is as follows:
File the following forms with the City Clerk during qualifying period, no earlier than 12:00 noon on February 10, 2025 and no later than 12:00 noon on February 14, 2025. (i.e., 11:59 on February 10 is too early, and 12:01 on February 14 is too late):
- Appointment of Campaign Treasurer DS-DE 9 (This form must be turned in first before any nominating Candidate Petitions are circulated)
- Statement of Candidate, DS-DE 84, Section 106.023, F.S. (If not turned in already), but it must be within 10 days of Filing DS-DE 9 with City Clerk
- Candidate Oath required by Florida Statutes Section 99.021
- Disclosure of Financial Interests CE FORM 1 confirmation
- Qualifying Fee and Election Assessment Total: $161.08 Commissioner Candidates (Make payable to: City of Lake Wales) – (Check must be signed by Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer).
f. Nominating Petitions
g. Acceptance of Nomination
h. Candidate’s Oath, City Code Chapter 8-40
i. Loyalty Oath
j. Notice of Pre-election Test of Machines
Mayor Jack Hilligoss, the current mayor, has been in office since April 2022 and is seeking reelection.
Former City Commissioner Curtis Gibson is also the mall manager at Eagle Ridge Mall and has also begun his campaign.
Kasen Hampton is 18 years old and would be seeking office for the first time.
Any new unregistered candidates seeking to run for the mayor’s office have until noon on Friday, February 14, 2025 to submit all necessary documentation.
