District 2 features incumbent, two challengers
With the 2024 Primary Election right around the corner, candidates for the District 2 Cape Coral City Council seat are sending one last message to residents before they cast their ballots.
The 2024 municipal election for Cape Coral City Council features five races — seats in Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, with the District 7 race to appear only on the General Election ballot.
While candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan, citywide races, meaning every registered Cape voter, no matter their party affiliation or city address, may cast a ballot in every race in both the Primary and General Election.
In District 2, there are three individuals that have qualified: incumbent Dan Sheppard, Laurie Lehmann and Craig Unroe.
The top two vote-getters will move on to the General Election this November.
Lehmann, 70, is a retired registered nurse. She practiced at Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Brandon Regional Hospital, with a specialty in neuro intensive care. Lehmann has her Bachelors degree in Economics/Accounting, as well as her nursing degree. She is a 20-year resident of the district, and actively volunteers with park groups.
“I would like to share with Cape Coral voters, please vet all the candidates so that you are making an informed choice,” Lehmann said. “We all want the best for Cape Coral, our home. Remember we will have the people we choose for the next four years. Make sure that the candidates you choose will be accessible to the citizens and will follow through with their campaign promises.”
Sheppard, 61, is the Owner of Sheppard Landscape, Inc. and Palm Source Pine Island, LLC.
His educational background includes a high school diploma and trade school. He is a 25-year resident of the district, and is active in supporting and donating to many non-profit organizations throughout Cape Coral.
“I’m running again to continue protecting the quality of life for our citizens,” Sheppard said. “By investing in public safety, we ensure to keep our reputation as one of the safest cities in the state of Florida. I will also support having the best school, parks, and sports facilities while protecting our waterways and wildlife. I will continue to support the water and sewer projects, maintenance and improving of our roads and beautification so that we can continue to add value to our community and be a magnet for good investment.”
He said he is running on a record of accomplishments.
“Four years ago, I promised to meet the challenges for the citizens of Cape Coral.” he said, ticking of a bullet list.
“Bring more medical to our city. We now have multiple facilities being built throughout the city and a big expansion to our hospital.
“Bring us an indoor sports center with competitive Olympic pool. YMCA has partnered with the city to achieve that goal.
“Invest in quality services. We invested in many improvements in our water and sewer facilities, as well as moving forward with UEP. When it comes to safety for our city we built six more fire houses, built a police and fire training center, and hired many more police and firemen. We are recognized as the 16th safest city in the country and one of the top in the state of Florida.
“Create quality parks and beautiful destinations. We are building many parks, just purchased the old golf course to be a botanical gardens and working on more boater destinations.
“Remove the lock and create more boater access ramps. The lock is being removed and approximately six more ramps are open to the public.
“Implement the science that raises the financial demographic of our city so we can be a magnet for greater investment. We have achieved the goal. Our downtown is going through a transformation. Investors now want to do great things in our community.”
Unroe, 55, is a network technician and a six-year resident of the district.
He attended Baker College for EMT and Business Management, and transferred to Southern New Hampshire University for Business management.
He is active in getting upgrades to a city park in previous state of residence.
“I am running to serve the citizens of Cape Coral,” Unroe said. “That means giving the residents the services they need from the city at the least amount of their out of pocket cost. I am running to put a stop to overspending on projects and prioritize infrastructure. I am running to halt the annual increase of property taxes unless the rollback rate is introduced.”