SUNRISE, Fla. – The city of Sunrise, home to nearly 100,000 residents, is seeing a heated contest for mayor as longtime incumbent Mike Ryan seeks a fifth term in office.
Ryan, first elected mayor in 2010, is focusing his re-election campaign on addressing critical issues facing Sunrise residents, from housing affordability to the recent rise in insurance costs, which he says have placed financial pressure on families.
“I love this city, and our work is not done,” Ryan said. “Right now in Florida, particularly in Broward County, we face a housing affordability problem.”
Ryan is not alone in the race; he faces two challengers: Sunrise Commissioner Mark Douglas and political newcomer Nicole Pazos. Both opponents have painted the election as an opportunity for new leadership and a fresh perspective on the city’s future.
Ryan, meanwhile, believes his record as mayor speaks for itself.
During his time in office, he has prioritized controlling costs for residents, from reducing taxes and fees to combating rising car and homeowners’ insurance premiums. Ryan sees these actions as evidence of his commitment to the city’s long-term prosperity and says they are key to his mission in City Hall.
“Sunrise residents want a mayor who understands their needs,” he said, pointing to endorsements from local organizations, including the police and fire departments, Broward Teachers Union, the Sierra Club, and Florida Realtors. “They know the work I’ve been doing, and I continue to raise my voice.”
Still, Ryan faces criticism from his challengers, who question whether his leadership remains effective after over a decade in office.
Mark Douglas, a Sunrise city commissioner since 2016 and the first minority elected to the position, argues that Ryan’s leadership lacks the presence needed to bring about substantial change.
Douglas, an attorney with deep roots in Sunrise, says his service on the city commission has provided a strong record for voters to consider, especially as he aims to lead as a unifying figure in Sunrise.
“I think it’s important that the community looks past what they may have thought about the incumbent in years gone by,” Douglas said, urging voters to consider recent actions and what he described as the need for a new direction. “Look at what’s happened in most recent times and look at somebody who has shown through his record of service that he’s able to take the mantle. Continuity of government is important, and we need to refresh the pool here in the city of Sunrise.”
The third candidate, Nicole Pazos, brings her own unique background and perspective to the race. A political newcomer, Pazos is a small business owner, mother of three, and a lifelong resident of Broward County.
Her campaign stems from a deeply personal place: a serious car accident in 2016 nearly took the lives of her and her family. Pazos believes that surviving that life-altering event gave her new purpose, one that fuels her desire to serve the community.
“I remember just laying there saying, ya know, God, if I ever get out of this and if we all ever get out of this — I’m gonna do something to help this community,” Pazos recalled.
Pazos currently advocates for the special needs community, focusing on supporting individuals with varying disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, or on the autism spectrum.
If elected, she would make history as the first woman to serve as Sunrise’s mayor.
Pazos describes her candidacy as not only a way to lead but as an opportunity to give residents and businesses a stronger voice in local government.
“I don’t want this position because I want people to hear my voice,” she said. “I want this position because I want to make sure that every single resident and business has a voice in this community, and if it’s through me, then so be it.”