INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Once the contentious race for Sheriff was settled in the August primary the District 3 County Commission contest between homebuilder Tim Zorc and architect Tony Donadio moved into the foreground as the top race to watch and wonder about in Indian River County.
The wondering ended a little after 9 p.m. tonight when final election results showed Zorc defeating Donadio, 36,627 votes to 27,568.
“I attribute my victory to my faith, my family and Republican Party support – and of course to the voters of Indian River County who cast their votes for me,” said Zorc.
The District 3 contest was interesting, first, because it shaped up as a power struggle between the traditional Republican Party and the Tea Party for local political dominance. Zorc ran as the Republican candidate with the full backing of the party apparatus and financial resources, while Donadio ran as an unaffiliated candidate.
A lifelong Democrat, Donadio switched his party affiliation to Republican last Spring, but not in time to run in the party primary. Zorc beat Bea Gardner in that contest and county Republican Party Chairman Tom Lockwood ordered Republicans to back him.
The race also held attention because nobody seemed quite sure who would win. Both candidates had substantial campaign teams and strong support as evidenced by contributions, endorsements, car stickers and the number of signs seen in yards and on street corners.
Donadio took in $55,000 in campaign contributions, including $15,500 he gave himself, while Zorc received $45,000, including $10,000 from the Republican Executive Committee of Indian River County and $7,500 from himself.
Zorc was endorsed by Republican Executive Committee, outgoing District 3 County Commissioner Gary Wheeler, the Treasure Coast Builders Association and a number of businesspeople.
The mayors of Sebastian and Fellsmere backed Donadio as did a major segment of the business community and a number of Tea Party leaders.
Donadio aimed to pull together a coalition of independents, Tea Party members, Democrats and Republicans friendly to him because of his extensive work as a board member and volunteer with the Chamber of Commerce, Indian River Medical Center, Children’s Home Society and other civic and philanthropic organizations.
Zorc was depending on his family’s deep roots in Indian River County, his own political skills and the tendency of Republicans to loyally vote the party line.
Both candidates were involved in multiple lawsuits unrelated to the election that added an element of controversy and further enhanced interest in the race.
Zorc is embroiled in a series of high-dollar lawsuits with Pointe West developer Chuck Mechling, a Tea Party member who is one of Donadio’s chief supporters. Donadio is being sued by the county and a condominium association for alleged professional failures that resulted in leaky roofs and other problems on projects he designed and supervised.
Donadio supporters alleged Zorc was dishonest about his finances when he filed his candidate disclosure form and Zorc’s side said Mechling had encouraged Donadio to run in order to thwart his former business partner and lawsuit opponent.
The two men’s messages were not all that different. Both claimed to be common-sense fiscal conservatives who would keep taxes low and work to increase jobs in the area. Both said they would protect the environment, especially the endangered Indian River Lagoon.
Donadio emphasized support for youth sports while Zorc offered a detailed plan to expand business opportunity and recruit new companies to come to Indian River County.
In the end, Lockwood was able to deliver the Republican Party faithful, and Zorc won handily with 57 percent of the vote.
