Marlon Bolton refuses to shake hands with Horatio Bryan after Bryan graduated from Tamarac University in January.
By Bryan Boggiano
With 13 months to go until the 2024 elections, the race is already heating up, and one of the two city commission seats up for election has a challenger.
In District One, Marlon Bolton is running for a third term. He was originally elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
Resident and business owner Horatio Bryan declared his candidacy in early 2023, hoping to bring “ethical leadership and actual community engagement.” A resident of Tamarac since 2015, he lives in the Banyan Lakes community and owns Bryan Reality Inc.
Bryan’s candidacy comes as Bolton faces many ethical, legal, and professional controversies and allegations. These include allegedly creating a hostile work environment, verbally attacking other elected officials, causing the resignation of city staff only to hire candidates of his choice, creating a fake news website to target opponents, and taking out fraudulent PPP loans, among other claims.
Bolton declared his candidacy in 2021 and has since raised $31,768.63. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, he has received $200 in in-kind contributions and spent $924.51.
Bryan has not reported any campaign donations or expenditures.
District Three’s election is off to a quieter start. Incumbent Elvin Villalobos, who declared his candidacy in 2021, reported raising $59,059.70 and spending $1,549.81.
No candidate has declared their intent to run against Villalobos yet.
To be eligible, residents must live in the district where they seek to run. Residents also need a campaign treasurer to open a campaign account. To file for candidacy, interested people must contact City Clerk Kimberly Dillon.
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