Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle. (Image: LCSoE)
Aug. 21, 2024 by David Silverberg
Updated Aug. 23 with judicial results.
Despite a last-minute breaking scandal, Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle kept his seat in yesterday’s Republican primary, winning by 80.4 percent (82,134 votes) over his opponent, Michael Peters who garnered 19.6 percent (10,619 votes).
Doyle was accused of having a romantic affair with an employee five years ago, which came to light last Thursday, Aug. 15, when early and mail-in voting was already under way. The employee, although making a complaint to the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission had rescinded the complaint, saying the affair was consensual.
In a statement after the affair was reported by the Miami Independent newssite, Doyle stated:
“I am very embarrassed by a terrible decision I made five years ago which has hurt my wife deeply. This was the worst decision of my life and something I greatly regret. My wife and I working through this together and through the grace of God, we are healing as a family.
“I apologize to the wonderful staff within the Supervisor’s of Elections office and my constituents of Lee County, I acted outside my moral integrity. This was the worst decision of my life. I take full responsibility for my behavior and I can only ask for your forgiveness. I want to assure voters that this will not affect the Supervisor Office’s ability to conduct secure and accurate elections in our upcoming primary and general election.”
Regardless of the scandal, Lee County voters approved Doyle for a third term as Supervisor of Elections. His opponent, Peters, had expressed suspicion of election procedures and results and promised on his website to “make elections great again.”
Other results
Turnout in Lee County came to 23 percent of the electorate, according to statistics issued by the Lee County Elections office.
Sen. Rick Scott, the sitting Republican US senator, gained the nomination of his Lee County party members with a decisive 84.7 percent of the vote. In the Democratic primary, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell won the approval of 73.9 percent of county Democrats to challenge Scott in the general election in November.
In the primary for the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 17, Manny Lopez barely edged out Matthew Montavon by a mere 57 votes, or 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent. Lopez will now challenge incumbent Rep. Greg Steube in the general election.
In the Republican race for District 3 in the Board of County Commissioners, David Mulicka defeated Matthew Thornton by 62.3 percent to 35.7 percent.
In the Republican race for District 5 in the Board of County Commissioners, Mike Greenwell defeated Amanda Cochran by 55.3 percent to 44.7 percent.
In the race for Circuit Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit Group 6, challenger Tracy Redd eased past incumbent Erik Leontiev by 55.6 percent to 44.4 percent in Lee County. Ultimately, Leontiev lost to Tracey Redd in the five-county 20th Judicial Circuit, Group 6, getting 48 percent of the vote to Redd’s 52 percent.
In the race for Circuit Judge of the 20th Circuit Group 28, incumbent Elizabeth Krier beat challenger Michael Colombo by 2,328 votes or 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent and winning the five-county circuit race by 53.4 percent of the vote.
In School Board races, Melisa Giovannelli defeated Carol Frantz in District 2, 56.7 percent to 43.3 percent.
In District 3, Bill Ribble barely squeaked past Kaitlyn Schoeffel by 187 votes, 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent.
In District 7, Vanessa Chaviano won with 47.1 percent of the vote, with Sheridan Chester getting 31.4 percent and Joshua Molandes, 21.5 percent.
Liberty lives in light
© 2024 by David Silverberg