Voters had an opportunity to have new faces on both the St. Lucie School Board and the Port St. Lucie City Council but opted for the experience brought by incumbents.
Port St. Lucie City Councilwoman Shannon Martin handily fended off two opponents seeking to unseat her, taking more than 60 percent of the vote.
Her challengers, Fritz Masson Alexandre and Andriana Chris Riera, received 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively.
Attempts to reach Martin for comment about her return to the council were not immediately successful.
As for the School Board, three seats were on the ballot, each with the incumbent and one challenger vying for votes.
“It was a wonderful feeling to have so much support displayed at the voting polls,” said School Board member Debbie Hawley, representing District 1.
It’s a sentiment shared by fellow re-elected District 5 School Board member Troy Ingersoll.
“I’m very grateful,” he said of the community’s support. He said he believes the incumbents were rewarded with another term because of the progress the School District has achieved.
“We’re on target to be an ‘A’ district,” Ingersoll said, adding that graduation rates are up, certifications for technical and trade are up, those taking college-prep exams such as ACTs and SATs are up, and the amount of scholarship dollars coming to St. Lucie County students continues to increase. “We’re focusing on every little detail,” Ingersoll said.
Hawley agreed with the belief that the community has seen what the current School Board is doing and approves.
“It is a true reflection of the pride our community has as a result of the positive momentum our School District is experiencing and their belief in our leadership to keep that momentum going,” she said.
Hawley said she will use these next four years on the School Board to continue to focus on the safety and security of students and employees by adding an added emphasis on social and emotional needs.
“It is an honor for me to be able to continue to serve this community that is my lifelong home, and I am profusely thankful to the voters for allowing me this privilege,” Hawley said.
District 3 School Board member Donna Mills also handily won her bid for re-election. Attempts to reach her for comment were not immediately successful.
While the School Board and Port St. Lucie Council races have been decided, the battle for County Commission District 2 won’t be decided until November.
Anthony Bonna, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to fill the remainder of Commissioner Tod Mowery’s term, will face off against Sean Mitchell. Bonna, a Republican, beat out three others seeking the party’s nomination.
Mitchell, a Democrat, faced no challenge from fellow party members and automatically advanced to November’s General Election.
