Richardson Defeats Danko in GOP Primary, Likely Wins County Commission Seat

Ed Danko at a Memorial Day event in Palm Coast. ⓒ Stephen Helfrich

Pam Richardson has beaten Ed Danko in the Republican primary for the Flagler County Commission’s District 5 seat. The outcome ousts Danko from public office once his term on the Palm Coast City Council is complete later this year, and sends Richardson on to the general election in November. There she’ll face write-in candidate Michael McElroy, who’s done minimal campaigning and is most likely an extreme long-shot to best Richardson.

Her victory over Danko became clear on Tuesday with the election, but wasn’t confirmed with certainty until a recount and provisional ballot counting Friday afternoon. Originally beating Danko by 40 votes, the final tally put Richardson ahead by 37. This finalized Danko’s departure from public office, four years after he was elected to the City Council.

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It’s the first electoral victory for Richardson, who has run unsuccessfully for Supervisor of Elections in 2012 and Palm Coast City Council in 2016. A realtor by profession, she has made herself well-known in the community through various community initiatives such as the Flagler County Cultural Council, Flagler Symphonic Society, and Flagler County Civic Association. Her experience in governing boards includes the Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board and Flagler County Planning and Zoning Board, plus a stint as VP of the Belle Terre Swim & Racquet Club.

One demonstrator from 2022 who got his wish. ⓒ AskFlagler

Danko’s loss came after he leaned hard on his affinity for presidential candidate Donald Trump, and after the entrance of McElroy closed off he and Richardson’s race to registered Republican voters only. Richardson, also a longtime Republican but who did not support the former president quite so vocally, ultimately proved she could hold her own with one of the community’s most fervent Trump supporters.

Also relevant to Danko’s loss is his divisive reputation on the City Council. Since being elected in 2020 he’s built a brand around never voting for a tax increase of any kind, at times earning him sympathy from the public. The final vote often overrode that sentiment, but Danko always fell back on his personal convictions in those votes. He also cause some who voted for him in 2020 to shed their support of him amidst several shouting matches with his City Council colleagues, including Mayor David Alfin and fellow councilmen Nick Klufas and Eddie Branquinho. Further opposition was drawn when he supported and voted for a pay raise for Council members in 2022.