Juno Seaside Mayor Peggy Wheeler is withdrawing from the upcoming city mayoral race after she says she efficiently recruited former council member Elaine Cotronakis to run as a substitute.
Wheeler made the announcement in a publication despatched out on Nov. 19, a day after the qualifying interval for elections closed with Cotronakis formally on the poll. Newcomer Dave Santilli is also looking for the mayor’s seat, having filed his paperwork with the city clerk Nov. 17.
Wheeler mentioned in her announcement that she had been contemplating stepping again from the council. Nonetheless, she filed paperwork starting Nov. 5, to run for mayor, desiring to proceed to serve if nobody else joined the race, in line with the announcement.
“My hope all alongside, nonetheless, was to have a candidate who may keep it up the work of defending our city and our residents with the identical dedication I’ve labored exhausting to uphold,” wrote Wheeler, 67, within the publication.
The city clerk reported Nov. 20 that she had not but obtained Wheeler’s letter of withdrawal.
The Juno Seaside City Council. From left to proper: Diana Davis, Marianne Hosta, Peggy Wheeler, John Callaghan and DD Halpern. Picture by Coastal Click on Pictures
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Former council member Elaine Cotronakis runs for mayor
Wheeler mentioned she just lately requested Cotronakis to think about operating for mayor. Cotronakis filed to run within the morning on Nov. 18 — simply hours earlier than the city’s qualifying interval ended, information present.
That’s when Wheeler mentioned she determined to withdraw from the race.
“Whereas this choice, after virtually a decade, has not been simple for me, I’m assured that our city has a candidate for Mayor who’s succesful, dedicated and can do an excellent job serving our neighborhood with integrity and sincere management which is important to all of us,” Wheeler wrote.
“Throughout my time on Council, I served alongside many devoted people, and it was really a pleasure to share the dais with them. A kind of people is former Council Member and Vice Mayor Elaine Cotronakis.”
Elaine Cotronakis is a former Juno Seaside council member.
Wheeler mentioned she needs “to give attention to a few of my very own private objectives and to resolve on the subsequent part of my life, particularly after the passing of my husband two years in the past.” She mentioned that serving as mayor has been one of many best honors of her life.
Wheeler’s time period ends in March. An election March 10 will decide who will function mayor for the subsequent two years and who will fill city council seats 1 and three, which carry three-year phrases.
Wheeler has served in town council for eight years and has lived in Juno Seaside for 25 years. Cotronakis, 54, beforehand served roughly three years on the council earlier than resigning in December 2023. She mentioned she selected to go away earlier than her time period was up as a consequence of “private obligations” and to just accept a chance that requires journey.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Seaside County for The Palm Seaside Publish, a part of the USA TODAY Florida-Community. Attain her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Assist native journalism: Subscribe immediately.
This text initially appeared on Palm Seaside Publish: Juno Seaside Mayor Peggy Wheeler to tug out of upcoming mayoral race