Milton City Council: One race headed to recount, while Cusack, Hawthorne, Vance win
*Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the four seats up for election Tuesday were a results of Milton's two-seat election rotation schedule.
Eight contenders vied for the four available seats on the Milton City Council during Tuesday's general election.
Milton operates on a system where each ward has a Seat 1 and Seat 2 council representative. This year, all Seat 1 councilmembers were on the ballot. All Seat 2 roles will be on the ballot in 2024.
Tuesday's election followed a tumultuous period for the council that saw four council members resigning over a seven-month period that began March 18, 2021, with Sharon Holley's resignation, and ended with David Richardson Jr.'s resignation Oct. 4, 2021.
That exodus, coupled from rough showings from current Scouncil members, means all four Milton wards will have a new face in Seat 1 come December.
Here are the winners:
Florida election 2022 live updates: Polls open in Pensacola, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
Ward 2 heading to recount
As Marilynn Farrow and former Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss vie for Milton City Council's Ward 2, Seat 1, it appears the race will move to a machine recount.
Florida statute states a machine recount must be ordered if the first set of unofficial returns indicates a candidate was defeated or eliminated by ½ of 1% or less of the total votes cast for an office.
Milton City Council: Milton has 8 candidates vying for 4 city councils seat. Get to know them here
Unofficial election results Wednesday morning indicated Farrow beat Meiss by one vote, 1,408 to 1,407 — a 0.0007% difference.
"Well, it is very close and I'm still hopeful," Farrow told the News Journal Tuesday night. "We'll see what happens."
The News Journal reached out to Meiss, but he did not respond by deadline.
Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane told the News Journal that provisional ballots and cure affidavits must still be reviewed Thursday during the canvassing board meeting, where it will be determined if a recount is needed.
Gavin Hawthorne takes Ward 3
Commercial fire alarm technician and political newcomer Gavin Hawthorne beat out appointed councilman Robert Leek, winning the first seat in Milton City Council Ward 3.
Hawthorne won 1,490 votes, 54.34%, over his opponent's 1,252 votes, according to the unofficial results as of Wednesday morning.
Hawthorne has focused his campaign effort on youth involvement. At 35, he said he feels there needs to be younger representation on the council.
Milton City Council: Milton has 8 candidates vying for 4 city councils seat. Get to know them here
"If we focus on the youth, that will secure Milton's future. In my opinion, the youth is Milton's future," Hawthorne said.
He added if the council integrates younger voices, it can help ensure young Milton residents stay in the city long-term.
As councilman, he said he will try to "help FDOT create a plan for a four-lane to where we can try to avoid removing any historic buildings."
Jason Vance takes Ward 4
Newcomer Jason Vance beat out appointed Councilwoman Shari Sebastiao to win the first seat in Milton City Council Ward 4.
Vance won 1,424 votes, 51.73%, compared to Sebastiao's 1,329 votes, according to unofficial election results Wednesday morning.
According to Vance's election Facebook account, he will bring "traditional values that are so very important to our community, God, family and country."
Milton City Council: Milton has 8 candidates vying for 4 city councils seat. Get to know them here
He will support tax cuts for citizens, support small business growth and increase family friendly activities sponsored by the city and local civic organizations.
"Importantly, the people should know where their tax money comes from and definitely how it's spent," he said in his statement. "Participation by the public is critical."
Mike Cusack takes Ward 1
Newcomer Mike Cusack beat out incumbent Vernon Compton to take the first seat in Milton City Council Ward 1.
Cusack won 1,623 votes, 59.06%, compared to Compton, who only won 40.94% of the vote, according to unofficial election results Wednesday morning.
"I'm a business guy, not a politician," Cusack told the News Journal Wednesday morning. "I door-knocked like crazy to find out what was going on, and they told me no one (on the council) listens. I wanted to be the voice of the people."
Cusack plans to "try to be a voice for the people and do the right thing." He expressed a concern that the current council does not listen to the city residents.
"There are a lot of dismissive attitudes in my opinion," the six-year Milton resident said.
He also voiced concerns about the planned location of the new wastewater treatment facility.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Milton City Council election 2022 results for Wards 1, 2, 3, 4
