A healthcare executive with deep generational ties to Lady Lake, including a great-grandfather known locally as the town’s “hitchhiking cop,” has announced her candidacy for the Lady Lake Town Commission, Ward 2.

Amanda McLea said her decision to run is rooted in both family legacy and a growing commitment to public service.

“I’m running for the Lady Lake Town Commission because service to others has truly become my calling,” Amanda says. “I’m motivated to help ensure that Lady Lake continues to grow responsibly while preserving the character and values that make it special.”

Amanda currently serves as facilities director at an outpatient imaging center, where she oversees operations, infrastructure, budgeting and compliance. Her role includes managing multimillion-dollar assets, vendor negotiations, emergency preparedness and long-term capital planning, experience she believes prepares her for the financial and operational oversight required at the municipal level.

Although she lives in Lady Lake, much of her professional and volunteer work has been centered in Leesburg. She serves as president of the Leesburg Sunrise Rotary and executive chairperson of the Leesburg Center for the Arts.

“It was through being fully immersed in public service, working alongside community leaders, nonprofits and residents, that I discovered my passion for civic engagement and thoughtful leadership,” she says. “That experience inspired me to bring that same energy and commitment home to Lady Lake.”

Her family’s connection to the town is part of its history. Amanda’s great-grandfather, James Dudley, served as Lady Lake’s “hitchhiking cop” in the 1960s. According to family stories, James would stand along U.S. Highway 441/27, blow his whistle at speeding motorists and, if they failed to stop, hitch a ride with a passing driver to pursue them. The story remains a local favorite and is even featured on the back of the menu at Ramshackles Café in Leesburg.

Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on project management from the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida.

Her campaign priorities include responsible growth, fiscal accountability and strengthening communication between residents and town leadership.