Election results: AMI re-elects mayor and Holmes Beach, Longboat Key voters go to polls
Anna Maria Island voters re-elected John Chappie as mayor of Bradenton Beach and chose several candidates to fill several seats on City Commission boards across the island.
Bradenton Beach hosted the most anticipated race, with voters choosing between two candidates: incumbent mayor John Chappie and political newcomer David Galuszka. Chappie earned 241 votes, 69% of the vote, to earn himself a third term leading the City Commission.
Bradenton Beach City Commissioners Jacob Spooner and Janet Vosburgh automatically earned additional two-year terms, as well. Neither candidate faced an opponent in this year’s election.
Bradenton Beach voters declined Amendment 1, a charter change question that would have eliminated the three-term limit that applies to officials on the City Commission. The referendum was defeated by a slim margin. Elections officials say 177 voted against the change, but 164 voters supported it.
Holmes Beach
Three seats on the Holmes Beach City Commission were up for grabs in Tuesday’s municipal election.
Both incumbents, Carol Soustek and Terry Schaefer, held on to their seats, while voters picked a newcomer to fill the seat that will be vacated by City Commissioner Jim Kihm, who decided not to seek re-election to the board.
Pat Morton won 630 votes to become the newest member of the Holmes Beach City Commission.
Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett said his staff carefully reviewed the ballots Tuesday night to ensure that a recount wasn’t necessary.
Morton defeated Renee Ferguson, another candidate, by just 22 votes, according to the unofficial election results.
Anna Maria Island
Two incumbents in the city of Anna Maria won extended stays on the City Commission.
Commissioners Carol Carter and Jonathan Crane were not challenged by other candidates this year.
Longboat Key
The Town of Longboat Key overwhelmingly voted in support of a referendum question allowing higher density development on a piece of property at 597 Buttonwood Drive.
According to the Supervisor of Elections Office, 66% of voters were in favor of the item.
Trailer Estates voters also approved a referendum question, allowing their Fire Control District to donate unused property to the Parks & Recreation District.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 8:43 PM.
