Who’s running for office in Coral Springs? Meet the candidates on November ballot
Election Day is drawing closer in Coral Springs, but a question remains: Do residents know who is on the ballot?
Since candidacy declarations began in November, no clear frontrunners have emerged for the two City Commission seats or the mayoral race. That could change soon, as the qualification window closed June 12.
Those elected will make key decisions on major projects like the Coral Springs Sportsplex, the future of youth sports and water quality.
They will also be tasked with creating new rules and regulations for emerging issues, including e-bikes.
Here’s who did — and didn’t — make it to the next stage of candidacy.
Who will be Coral Springs’ next mayor?
Incumbent Scott Brook and Commissioner Joshua Simmons will face off Nov. 3 after both qualified for the ballot.
Brook’s campaign leverages his experience in the position. He has been on the City Commission for over two decades and is in his fourth term as mayor. He has long advocated for mental health and downtown development.
Simmons has positioned himself as the forward-thinking candidate who understands working parents’ struggles with affordability, development and traffic.
He became Coral Springs’ first Black commissioner in 2018, unseating longtime incumbent Lou Cimaglia through a grassroots door-knocking campaign.
Who will take Nancy Metayer’s place on the dais?
The race for Seat 3 on the City Commission is set to be closely watched after the death of Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer, who was shot and killed on April 1.
She has since been honored by local leaders as a trailblazer for Haitian-Americans and a fearless advocate for human rights and environmental protection.
Her husband, Stephen Bowen, faces murder and evidence tampering charges in the case.
Here are the candidates for Metayer’s former seat:
William “Bill” Capplis is a 26-year Coral Springs Police Department veteran who works in the community involvement unit. He’s set to retire this fall, he told the Coral Springs News in April, but isn’t done serving the city.
Capplis also raised two daughters in the city, and was a longtime soccer coach at Coral Springs Charter School, according to his campaign website.
Terry Ann Williams Edden is a licensed court mediator and former legal assistant in the Broward State Attorney’s Office who claims a long history of civil rights activism. She has made four unsuccessful bids for higher office since 2008.
Williams Edden intends to focus her campaign on housing affordability, youth engagement and education, and public safety, among other things, she told the Coral Springs News. She does not appear to have a campaign website as of June 15.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kohy Holmes is a project engineer with Thalle Construction, which specializes in water infrastructure and a volunteer with the Florida State Guard.
Marly Metayer, Nancy Metayer’s mother, is a registered nurse whose campaign focuses on public safety, mental health advocacy, economic opportunity and community unity.
“After experiencing unimaginable personal loss, Marly made the decision to step forward and serve the community that has supported her family for decades,” her campaign website reads. “Her campaign for Coral Springs City Commission Seat 3 is rooted in compassion, resilience, unity, and a commitment to putting people first.”
Erick Nyatenya is a computer engineer with a campaign focused on data-driven leadership. According to his campaign website, Nyatenya is running as a push for fiscal accountability, easing local business operations, and improving traffic and road infrastructure.
Who will replace Joshua Simmons on the City Commission?
Simmons vacated Seat 4 in his bid for mayor. Three competitors have emerged following the move, and one failed to secure the signatures or funds to make it to the next round.
Trial lawyer Jeffrey “Jeff” Adelman grew up in Coral Springs. According to his campaign website, he intends to prioritize public safety, traffic and congestion, lowering taxes and fees, expanding green space and maintaining local control of local issues.
“Potholes don’t have political parties,” Adelman told the Coral Springs News in November. “We should focus on what’s happening on the ground, not who’s a Democrat and who’s a Republican. I just want to make people’s lives easier.”
Tristan Celestin, a late addition to the race, graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2014 and works as a model and actor. While he does not have a campaign website as of June 15, he does have a campaign Instagram account.
Jennifer Levi has made herself known to many through her social media presence. The HR director and advocate for autism accessibility in the city has focused her campaign on rebuilding trust with residents and expanding city events and programs while lowering property taxes, shrinking the budget and loosening local businesses regulations.
One candidate, realtor Melissa Donnahoe, failed to qualify. In a November interview with the Coral Springs News, she said she wanted the race to focus on civil conversation and community, as well as housing issues.
What’s upcoming?
The Coral Springs News will publish profiles of all candidates who agree to be interviewed before Election Day on Nov. 3.
