With only provisional and referred mail-in ballots left to count on Friday, the primary election in Flagler County has effectively concluded. The Palm Coast City Council will see three seats turn over, with two Council seats opened up and incumbent Mayor David Alfin losing out of a shot at the runoff election in November. The Flagler County Commission will be welcoming two new members, likely Pam Richardson and Kim Carney as they will face only a write-in line in November.
Janie Ruddy and Lauren Ramirez were elected to the Flagler School Board, beating Derek Barrs and Vincent Sullivan respectively. Two competitive runoffs were triggered in Palm Coast: Ty Miller and Jeffery Seib will face off for the District 1 City Council seat, while Andrew Werner and Ray Stevens will compete for the District 3 seat.
Palm Coast Vice Mayor Ed Danko was ousted from public office by a razor-thin margin, having been beaten by Richardson in his bid for the County Commission by a mere 40 votes (pending a potential recount). The closest margin of the night was for the second spot in the City Council District 3 runoff, in which Stevens took it over Dana ‘Mark’ Stancel by a mere two votes.
The biggest landslide belonged to Andy Dance, who won re-election to the County Commission over challenger Fernando Melendez with a commanding 40-point victory (good for almost 10,000 votes more). Also losing his elected official status is Nick Klufas, the term-limited Palm Coast City Councilman who fell to Carney in the District 3 County Commission Republican primary.
Board of County Commissioners, District 1:
- Andy Dance (i): 70.27% – 17,233 – WINNER
- Fernando Melendez: 29.73% – 7,291
Board of County Commissioners, District 3:
- Kim Carney: 42.58% – 6,379 – ADVANCES TO GENERAL
- Bill Clark: 24.38% – 3,653
- Nick Klufas: 33.04% – 4,949
Board of County Commissioners, District 5
- Ed Danko: 49.87% – 7,546
- Pam Richardson: 50.13% – 7,586 – ADVANCES TO GENERAL
Flagler School Board, District 3
- Derek Barrs: 49.42% – 12,257
- Janie Ruddy: 50.58% – 12,545 – WINNER
Flagler School Board, District 5
- Lauren Ramirez: 60.65% – 14,717 – WINNER
- Vincent Sullivan: 39.35% – 9,550
Palm Coast Mayor
- David Alfin (i): 18.33% – 3,708
- Cornelia Downing Manfre: 23.70% – 4,795 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
- Peter Johnson: 13.41% – 2,712
- Alan Lowe: 13.18% – 2,666
- Mike Norris: 31.38% – 6,348 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
Palm Coast City Council, District 1
- Kathy Austrino: 19.19% – 3,694
- Shara Brodsky: 14.70% – 2,831
- Ty Miller: 44.59% – 8,586 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
- Jeffery Seib: 21.52% – 4,143 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
Palm Coast City Council, District 3
- Dana ‘Mark’ Stancel: 32.80% – 6,186
- Ray Stevens: 32.82% – 6,188 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
- Andrew Werner: 34.38% – 6,483 – ADVANCES TO RUNOFF
THANK GOODNESS Alfin is out of the running. Hopefully the people will not vote for Manfre for Mayor. I don’t really trust her being she is also a realtor.
Glad that Mr. Dance won his re election bid. Also glad Danko and Klufas didn’t advance for their seat they were seeking. So with Danko, Klufas, Alfin out because of the loss to the seat and Highter resigning yesterday we only have one council member left from the old group and will have a brand new council come November. It’s time that the new council grabs the bull by the horns and start doing what is best for everyone in PC. I would suggest that they stop any new developments to take place and start doing something towards repairing the infrastructure in the entire city.
So happy as well.
I agree we Cannot vote for Manfre she is another realtor broker, no way! NORRIS DEFINITELY has the people and community in his best interest.
Let’s rock it Norris!!
I do NOT want another realtor in office No less as Mayor! Manfe is a realtor and her her husband (past Sherrif) have a long sour past as well!! Mike Norris has an incredible resume! He is leadership ready! And a small business owner here in Flagler County! (Not a realtor) Mike Norris has my vote!
Congratulations to all the candidates, both potential winners and participants. I genuinely hope for Pam’s victory over Danko, as she was my preferred candidate. Hopefully, Pam will emerge as the winner and Dankos horrible personality moves on!
Thank goodness Alfin is out
.He has done enough damage to our city not including all the real estate commissions he made…Bye bye