The 1996 Orlando mayoral election took place on April 16, 1996. In 1993, Orange County Supervisor of Elections Betty Carter banned municipalities from holding their elections on the same day as statewide primary and general elections, citing financial and logistical costs. Accordingly, this was the first Orlando mayoral election to be held in April.[1]
Incumbent Mayor Glenda Hood ran for re-election to a second term. She was challenged by auto repairman Steve Villard, and entertainer Bonita Banana ran as a write-in candidate. The Orlando Sentinel endorsed Hood for re-election as "a strong formidable leader, creating programs to help both neighborhoods and businesses flourish."[2] Hood won re-election in a landslide, receiving 83 perfect of the vote to Villard's 16 percent. Turnout significantly decreased following the shift to an April election, with fewer than 13 percent of voters casting ballots.[3]
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