ST. CLOUD, Fla. — With the November 3 General Election approaching and early voting continuing through Sunday, November 1, Kirk Zilke, candidate for St. Cloud City Council Seat 5, is highlighting his nearly 35 years of service with the St. Cloud Police Department, experience as a small business owner, and lifelong connection to the community as central to his campaign.

A retired St. Cloud Police Deputy Chief, husband, father, and longtime community volunteer, Zilke says his career in public safety and leadership has given him a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing St. Cloud as the city continues to grow.

His campaign emphasizes public safety, responsible growth, fiscal accountability, transparency in government, and preserving the hometown character that has long defined St. Cloud.

Zilke says his decision to run for City Council comes from a desire to continue serving the community where he grew up, raised his family, built a business, and dedicated nearly 35 years of his life to public service. For him, St. Cloud is more than just the city he calls home. It’s a community he has spent much of his life serving and one whose future he remains deeply committed to.

A Lifetime of Service to St. Cloud

Zilke’s connection to St. Cloud began in 1977, when his family moved to the city. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Cloud High School in 1987, establishing roots in a community that would become central to both his personal and professional life.

He went on to dedicate nearly 35 years to the St. Cloud Police Department, working his way through the ranks to become Deputy Chief before retiring on December 31, 2025.

Throughout his law enforcement career, Zilke served in numerous specialized and leadership positions, including patrol supervision, traffic enforcement, traffic homicide investigations, and command of the department’s first street crimes unit and emergency services unit.

As Captain and later Deputy Chief, he oversaw a wide range of police operations, including patrol, criminal investigations, intelligence, special operations, SWAT, marine patrol, drone operations, school resource officers, and community outreach programs.

He also served as a high-risk incident commander, leading responses to critical incidents that required coordination, sound judgment, and timely decision-making.

Zilke’s campaign points to that extensive leadership experience as an important foundation for serving on the City Council, where decisions involving public safety, budgets, infrastructure, and growth directly affect residents and businesses.

Modernizing Public Safety and Strengthening Community Resources

During his years in police leadership, Zilke played a role in several initiatives designed to modernize the department and improve its operational capabilities.

Those efforts included helping acquire mobile command vehicles, securing cost-effective safety equipment for officers, and implementing St. Cloud’s first real-time crime and intelligence center.

The initiatives were intended to strengthen the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, coordinate resources, and use technology more effectively in protecting the community.

His campaign emphasizes that the same attention to planning, responsible spending, and practical solutions that guided his law enforcement career would help inform his approach to city government.

Family, Small Business, and Community Involvement

Beyond his career in law enforcement, Zilke’s connection to St. Cloud is deeply personal.

He and his wife, Nadine, who also served the St. Cloud Police Department for 25 years, raised their daughter, Tabitha, in the community. Tabitha now works as a teacher with the School District of Osceola County, continuing the family’s tradition of public service.

Zilke is also a licensed HVAC contractor and small business owner, giving him experience with the responsibilities and challenges of operating a local business.

Through his company, he has supported community events, charitable fundraisers, and law enforcement initiatives, reflecting his continued involvement in St. Cloud beyond his professional career.

His volunteer activities have included six years coaching youth basketball with the Ron Riley basketball league and participating annually as Santa Claus for the We Care to Dare event.

For Zilke, those experiences reflect the importance of maintaining personal connections with residents and supporting the organizations and traditions that bring the community together.

Public Safety, Responsible Growth, and Protecting St. Cloud’s Future

As St. Cloud continues to experience residential and commercial growth, Zilke says city leaders must balance new development with the infrastructure, services, and quality of life residents expect.

Keeping neighborhoods safe, supporting first responders, managing growth responsibly, and ensuring accountability in government are among the priorities at the center of his campaign.

Zilke believes city government should carefully consider how growth affects roads, public safety resources, neighborhoods, and essential services while maintaining responsible oversight of taxpayer dollars.

His campaign also emphasizes transparency, listening to residents, and making decisions that reflect both the immediate needs and long-term interests of the community.

As a lifelong resident and former city employee, Zilke says he understands the importance of protecting the hometown atmosphere that has made St. Cloud a special place for generations of families.

His experience as a small business owner also shapes his perspective on the importance of responsible regulations, economic opportunity, and creating an environment where local businesses can succeed.

Looking Ahead to November 3

As voters prepare to make their decisions in the November 3 General Election, Zilke is asking St. Cloud residents to consider his record of service, experience in city operations, and priorities for the community’s future.

Early voting in Osceola County continues through Sunday, November 1, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 11 designated locations. Registered voters may cast their ballots at any county early voting location.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters casting ballots on Election Day must vote at their assigned precinct.

Only eligible voters residing within the St. Cloud city limits may vote in the City Council Seat 5 election.

For additional election information, including early voting locations and assigned precincts, visit VoteOsceola.gov.

To learn more about Kirk Zilke and his campaign, visit ZilkeForStCloud.com.

Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Kirk Zilke, Nonpartisan Candidate for St. Cloud City Council Seat 5.