St. Augustine City Commissioner Barbara Blonder has formally filed to run for mayor of the Old City — but with a significant caveat.
Blonder, currently serving as vice mayor, said she will withdraw from the race if incumbent Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline decides to seek another term.
But until that decision is made, Blonder says she is moving forward with a fully built-out campaign.
“I would much rather work with her than run against her,” Blonder told The Citizen. “But for now, we’re going forward.”
Blonder emphasized that her decision to file was not an attempt to force the issue, but rather to formally signal her interest before deadlines approach.
If Sikes-Kline runs again, Blonder said she would exit the race and continue serving out the remaining two-plus years of her commission term.
A longtime St. Augustine resident, Blonder moved to the city 24 years ago.
She holds a degree in zoology from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree from Florida Tech, and has spent much of her career in ecology and conservation. She has taught environmental science and animal behavior at Flagler College for more than two decades.
Blonder initially ran on an environmental platform that has since broadened to include mobility and quality-of-life issues.
She has drawn both enthusiastic plaudits and sharp criticism during her time on the Commission.
She was a vocal proponent of shortening Nights of Lights, arguing that the event was becoming untenable and that crowd-weary residents were deserving of relief.
But that same position brought vocal pushback from local business owners who argued that the move hampered commercial activity in a largely tourism-dependent town.
Blonder said she is comfortable with the ongoing debate, saying her approach is rooted in resident input and long-term sustainability.
“Not everyone is going to be happy,” Blonder said. “But if people aren’t totally happy on both sides, that’s usually a sign you’ve found a compromise.”
Among the issues she says will shape the city’s near future are traffic and traffic snarls tied to the King Street Bridge and seawall projects, ongoing flood mitigation efforts, and renewed debates over carriage horse regulations, where she has focused on animal welfare standards rather than outright bans.
The Citizen asked City of St. Augustine spokesperson Mellisa Wissel about Sikes-Kline’s status.
“Filing deadline is June and Mayor Sikes-Kline is focusing on the current legislative session in Tallahassee,” Wissel said.
