Damien Gilliams is back on the Sebastian ballot two years after recall vote ousted him

Janet Begley, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·2 min read

SEBASTIAN — Nearly two years after he was ousted from the City Council by recall, Damien Herman Gilliams wants to get back into office.

Gilliams and his son, Damien Lee Fey Gilliams, both qualified late Thursday to run in the Nov. 8 City Council election. Five other candidates also have qualified to run for the two open seats.

Qualifying deadline is 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Damien Herman Gilliams was removed from office by a recall vote Sept. 15, 2020.

“I love the city of Sebastian too much to stay away,” said the elder Gilliams, who was a perennial candidate until he was elected in 2019. “I know I’m innocent, and they’re not going to stop me from being involved in my community.”

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Damien Herman Gilliams was found guilty in May 2021 of three counts of Sunshine Law violations and one count of perjury.

He had been charged for holding an illegal City Council meeting during which he and council members Charles Mauti and Pamela Parris voted to remove Mayor Ed Dodd and fire the city manager, city clerk and city attorney. Gilliams is appealing his convictions.

The recall, however, doesn't preclude Gilliams from running this year. Under state law, he is eligible to run again since the Nov. 8 election will be more than two years since his conviction.

For Damien Lee Fey Gilliams, this will be his second try for City Council after losing a race in 2021.

One of the two open seats currently is held by Mayor Jim Hill, who is not seeking reelection. The other is held by Councilman Ed Dodd, who has qualified to run.

Others qualifying by Thursday are Kelly Dixon, Louise Kautenburg, Sherrie Matthews and Charles Saint John Stadelman.

Janet Begley is a local freelance writer for TCPalm.com. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe now.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Damien Gilliams, son, both qualify to run for Sebastian City Council