Meet the four candidates vying to be Lakeland's mayor in the November 2025 election
There's a four way-race on for an Lakeland's open mayor seat this November, and each candidate brings their own vision of the city's future to the table.
Mayor Bill Mutz, who was elected in 2017, made it publicly known in March that he had no intention of seeking a third term.
Sara Roberts McCarley, current city commissioner representing the Southwest District, was the first to announce she was launching a campaign for the mayor's seat. Southeastern University professor Cedrick Valrie quickly followed, filing in April.
Two other challengers, healthcare professional Kay Klymko and Lakeland bartender Kaitlin Kramer, threw their hats in the ring closer to the qualification deadline of Sept. 19.
https://www.theledger.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/10/05/four-candidates-running-to-be-lakeland-florida-next-mayor-november-election-2025/86368277007/