The former Lakeland NAACP branch president, Terry Coney, will step into his first elected political office in January, taking over the final two years of Commissioner Bill Read’s term representing the Northeast District.
Read announced his intention to resign in June 2025, after missing a series of commission meetings due to personal health issues.
“This wasn’t the way that I thought it was going to turn out. I had a strong team put together and we were ready to do all the work necessary and do all the hand shaking, talking,” Coney said. “God saw another way, so I’ll accept it. I’m not disappointed. I’m ready to do the work. I’m ready to take on this new challenge.”
Coney said he will still show up at some of the planned political events, including the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s Politics in the Park on Oct. 21 at the Lake Mirror Auditorium, to meet with residents firsthand. He will not be taking part in political candidate forums, offering his time to those who are still campaigning.
Commissioner Stephanie Madden was re-elected to her third term as a city’s At-Large commissioner unopposed for a four-year term beginning in January 2026. Madden also claimed her second term unopposed.
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