ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Robert Edward Melanson, a former peanut vendor at the Florida Mall, and pop superstar Rihanna’s 2013 rooftop trespasser, is the first candidate to file paperwork on December 15, 2016 to run for Orange County Mayor in 2018, according to Orange County Supervisor of Election’s website. According to TMZ, Rihanna obtained a restraining order against Robert Melanson after he was captured skulking around her roof on June 17th. (Read TMZ full article here.)

Rihanna performs at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. Photo courtesy of MTV.

2016 Candidate for Orange County Commissioner District 3

Melanson’s run for Orange County Mayor is not his first attempt to run for public office. He ran unsuccessfully for Orange County Commissioner District 3 against incumbent Commissioner Pete Clarke in the 2016 primary election. Commissioner Clarke also defeated candidates Jose M. Datil Colom and Bill Moore.

Other Possible Candidates

Other possible candidates to run for Orange County Mayor include former Congressman John Mica, Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson, Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh, former Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal, and Orange County School Board Chairman Bill Sublette.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs has reached her term limit and can not run for re-election.

2018 Elections

The primary election is August 28, 2018 and the general election is November 6, 2018 for candidates running for countywide office.