Oviedo mayoral race draws possible challenger

A candidate has come forward to challenge Oviedo’s incumbent mayor, setting the stage for a possible off-year election Nov. 4, 2025. Until now, the sitting mayor has ran unopposed.

Jimmy Boston filed a Statement of Candidate with the Oviedo city clerk to run for mayor. Oviedo Community News reached out to Boston by phone call, text message and email. 

Boston said he wanted to do a sit-down interview, but wanted to wait until after the qualifying period ends this week. 

“At this time, Mr. Boston and his campaign are wholly and solely focused on meeting the same official election requirements as all other candidates for public office are required to, which include petition gathering and signing a statement of candidacy,” said Alex Duncan, a spokesman for the campaign. “Mr. Boston looks forward to making an official campaign announcement soon.”

Boston has a Facebook page as a politician with a few posts. In one, he asks for help getting the petition signatures needed to get on the ballot.

“If you know anyone that is a registered voter in the city of Oviedo. Please pass this message on, share it. Tell them to inbox me,” Boston wrote on Aug. 5. “I will meet them. Pull up to wherever they are. I am grateful for the help. I’m halfway there, not there just yet.”

In another, he posts a picture of his uncle Harry Boston Sr., the Boston namesake in Boston Hill Park in Oviedo. In another, he posts a photo of Louise Street in Oviedo. 

“I’m carrying on the legacy my mom established and I’m finishing what she began,” Boston wrote. 

According to previous articles, Boston is also the founder of Brother’s with Helping Hands LLC. 

Oviedo incumbent Mayor Megan Sladek asked for donations to her campaign after Boston pulled the paperwork. According to the most recent campaign finance report, Sladek has so far raised $10,199 in campaign contributions for her reelection. She’s spent $3,441, leaving her with about $7,757. 

Sladek said she has raised about $800 from 22 individual contributions since she made the fundraising request on Facebook. 

“If he qualifies, it will cost [Oviedo] $45,000 (to have an election),” Sladek said. “And I’m not opposed as long as he’s serious. But if he’s just like goofing around …”

Sladek is a self-described controversial mayor. Oviedo Community News is collecting questions for the candidates here. A voter guide will come out before the Nov. 4 election as well. 

In Oviedo, Oviedo City Council member Natalie Teuchert is also up for re-election, but currently doesn’t have an opponent. 

Announcing the candidacy is only one part of the process. Boston would need to collect 150 signed petitions from residents by noon on Aug. 8 to appear on the ballot. You can read more about the process here. So far, Boston has dropped off about 70 petition signatures. 

Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Amy Pennock said now is the time for residents to request vote-by-mail ballots for the Oviedo election. She also encouraged residents to make sure their information is correct because voting locations can change, especially in local elections. 

“You could have a challenge voting in any election, and we want to avoid that,” Pennock said. “Right now is the best time to do the vote-by-mail request if that’s your preference.”

The Oviedo election would have one day of early voting, on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Oviedo City Hall and at the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office in Sanford. Oviedo will have three polling locations open during the election, and the Oviedo City Council is expected to choose the three polling sites at the Aug. 18 meeting.

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Abe Aboraya is a Report for America Corps Member