Ramon Marrero is one of four candidates running for the Palm Coast City Council’s District 4 seat. The seat is being vacated by an outgoing Charles Gambaro, who is running for U.S. Congress instead of seeking another term. Marrero’s opponents are Dylana ‘Dee’ Galery, John Kvederis, and Darlene Shelley. None of the four have held elected office before.
The 2026 primary election is on Tuesday, August 18. Palm Coast voters will be able to vote for the City Council seats for Districts 2 and 4. District 3 was also up for election, but Ray Stevens was the only candidate who filed to run and was thus elected unopposed Whether residents reside in a given district does not prevent them from voting in all districts that are up for election.
If one of the candidates receives at least one vote more than 50.0% on August 18, they will win the election then and there. If none do, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election on November 3.
Other Candidate Interviews
Flagler County Commission:
Flagler School Board:
- Jill Woolbright (District 1)
- Christy Chong (District 4)
- Ron Long (District 4)
- Trevor Tucker (District 4)
Palm Coast City Council:
Interview Criteria
- The object of the interview is not to grill the candidate, nor to give them softballs. Ideally, in their answers the candidates provide to voters a useful insight into their ideology, their priorities, and their knowledgeability and preparedness for office.
- These questions are sent to each declared candidate in Flagler County’s local elections. All candidates running for the same office received the same exact questions.
- The only edits made are for spelling, formatting and basic grammar (i.e., ‘their’ when it should be ‘there’). Censorship of profanity may also be applied if it were applicable. Otherwise, answers are presented in their full form as the candidate provides them.
- Answers are subject to fact-checking if they contain information that’s blatantly misleading or untrue (misrepresenting factually verifiable information, misquoting a statistic, etc). Clarifications will be added underneath the candidate’s answer if applicable. The answers will still be presented as given even if a fact-check or clarification is needed.
Candidate Interview
Date of Birth: October 27, 1959
Hometown: New York, New York
Career/Educational Resume: Click to view resume
1) Describe any relevant experience you have managing budgets, particularly situations that demanded difficult cuts.
“In running the day-to-day operations of my nonprofit, I have had to manage the budget. Hard decisions must be made based on two major factors: time and resources. Executing a vision with the resources available is leadership; I have done that in the private sector and will bring my level-headed, real-world experience to the City Council.”
2) How would you assess the City Council’s productivity and decorum over the past two years?
“Everything we do must always be evaluated for ways to improve.”
3) Has the advocacy of developers and related professionals been a detriment to Palm Coast in event years? If so, please explain why you think so.
“Properly planned, ecologically sound, and future-focused development practices are a major focus for this council. We have a duty to move forward and improve our city; however, we will never just open our doors to unchecked development. Keeping the reasons we moved to Palm Coast present will be my focus.”
4) How is Palm Coast performing at engaging their residents? Do you have ideas to improve communication and/or transparency?
“Palm Coast has made progress, but there’s still room for improvement. Residents deserve clear, timely communication and more opportunities to be heard before decisions are made. I’ll support greater transparency, better use of technology, and more community outreach to keep people informed and engaged.”
5) How can Palm Coast approach westward expansion for the best possible outcome? Is the city as prepared for these potential steps as they should be?
“The current plan is in several phases over a long period. This should allow us to test and adjust as we grow, keeping the Palm Coast we love. Electing me will be a great step in that direction.”
6) What actions should the City Council take now to ensure the resilience of its infrastructure in the coming years?
“Watching carefully what happens here as well as what is happening across the state to see what works and what doesn’t with infrastructure. Then we hold developers responsible to meet any needs we have.”
7) How would you describe your temperament in contentious discussions?
“On all boards, members may have numerous philosophical issues concerning. As a police officer for 15 years, I understand how to defuse situations and see around corners, since you are sent there for the people.”
8) What are the most important qualities you’d expect working with Palm Coast’s city manager?
“The ability to communicate and coordinate future planning together.”
