Voters to Decide if Apopka Mayor John Land, 93, Should Get Another Term

Five things about the man who is up for re-election today.

ByABC News
April 8, 2014, 11:51 AM
Land, 93, is running for his 20th term as mayor of the Orlando suburb.
Land, 93, is running for his 20th term as mayor of the Orlando suburb.
Mayor John Land/Facebook

April 8, 2014— -- At 93 years old, Mayor John Land of Apopka, Fla., is asking voters for another term today.

Aside from a two-year break, Land has held the top job in the Orlando suburb since 1949 and has the distinction of being the longest-serving mayor in Florida, according to the League of Cities.

It won't be a landslide this time, though, as the mayor faces a challenge from Joe Kilsheimer, 56. Neither man won a majority in the four-person election in March, and so a runoff race will be decided today.

Here are five things you need to know about one of the oldest mayors in the United States as he seeks his 20th term.

PHOTO: Mayor John Land is pictured in this photo from his Facebook page.
Mayor John Land attends a meeting in Apopka, Fla.

He Works For Free

Land cut his salary to zero in 2008, according to his campaign Facebook page. At 93 years old, though, it's safe to say the mayor qualifies for social security.

PHOTO: Mayor John Land, second from left, is pictured with supporters in this photo from his Facebook page.
Land, second from left, is pictured with supporters in this photo from his Facebook page.

He Apparently Has A Knack For Remembering Names

"Wow I must say Mayor John Land is truly incredible! After today's council meeting I went up to shake his hand and not only did he remember my name but he also a remembered a concern I brought up 6 MONTHS earlier with city parking and even remembered my street!!! Blew me away!" Benjamin Bankson wrote on the mayor's Facebook page.

PHOTO: Mayor John Land is pictured in this photo from his Facebook page.
Land first took office in 1949.

Sen. Marco Rubio Endorses Him

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio endorses Land because "he supports helping everyone achieve the American dream -- from farm workers to foliage growers, from young entrepreneurs to retirees," according to a letter posted on the mayor's Facebook page.

PHOTO: Mayor John Land is pictured in this photo from his Facebook page.
Land poses for a photo while holding a campaign sign.

He Has His Own Road

Land even has a state road named for him. The John Land Apopka Expressway was dedicated in 2009. It stretches five miles and is the first east-west corridor built in Central Florida in decades, according to the Orland-Orange County Expressway Authority.

He's A Conservationist

Land studied at the University of Florida's School of Forest Studies & Conservation and likes to say he was a conservationist "before it was cool."