Tequesta council candidate Julie Mitchell withdraws in wake of arrest on assault charges
TEQUESTA – Village Council candidate Julie Mitchell has withdrawn from the race following an incident last week in which police say she stabbed two people at her home with a knife.
Mitchell was one of two candidates running to fill Tequesta Council Seat 1 that was vacated at the end of October by Frank D'Ambra when he moved out of town. An interim council member was appointed but is not running to fill the opening permanently.
Her withdrawal leaves the seat to her opponent Jayson French, who has worked as a firefighter for the past 17 years.
Although the council election is not until March 19, the qualifying period for candidates has closed. As such, French will win the seat unopposed as it is not possible for another candidate to enter the race at this time.
Mitchell, who was arrested Thursday and is being held without bail in the county jail, was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
More: Tequesta Village Council candidate arrested after two people stabbed at her home
French, now unopposed, will be sworn in at the April 11 council meeting, according to a village spokesperson.
"My family and I will be praying for the Mitchell family during this difficult time. I know our special Tequesta community will come together for any support they may need," French said Wednesday.
French's campaign has focused on preserving the community in Tequesta and a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. The 42-year-old moved to Tequesta a year and a half ago from Jupiter with his wife and three kids.
“I have enjoyed meeting with so many of our great residents and businesses in Tequesta. It’s been exciting to hear their thoughts, concerns and aspirations for our village,” wrote French in a statement. “Thank you all for the trust and support you have given me.”
Mitchell's attorney notified village officials of her withdrawal from the race, according to Village Clerk Lori McWilliams.
Now that the seat Mitchell intended to run for for is decided, residents will vote only for Seat 5 in March, which incumbent council member Rick Sartory and Jessica Namath are up for.
"I encourage all eligible voters to stay engaged and participate in the election process," McWilliams wrote in a statement Wednesday. "Your voice matters and the election will proceed as scheduled to elect a representative to fill Seat 5."
"Out of respect of the family and those involved, we kindly request the community to continue to give the family space as they heal from this most unfortunate incident," the statement went on to read.
Julie Mitchell faces first degree felony charges
Tequesta police arrested Mitchell, 54, on two counts each of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting a law-enforcement officer with violence, according to an arrest report made public Friday.
Mitchell filed in November to run for the council post in the upcoming March municipal election. Her main campaign page was set as inactive on Friday, and the last entry on a campaign page on Facebook was Monday, Jan. 15.
According to her campaign website, which has since been taken down, Mitchell has been a neighborhood services coordinator for the Town of Jupiter for nearly 20 years.
Court records indicate that West Palm Beach-based defense attorney Nellie King will represent Mitchell.
A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for March 13, when Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer will determine how Mitchell will be supervised as she awaits trial. Given that she is facing first degree felony charges, the state will argue that she should remain in jail until her trial, according to a spokesperson.
Police detail domestic disturbance Thursday morning
Officers responded to a call at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday regarding a domestic disturbance at a home on Golfview Drive, according to the arrest report.
When police arrived, a juvenile and an adult at the home told officers that Mitchell had attacked them with a knife.
The arrest report indicates that Mitchell was in possession of a large kitchen knife when officers entered the home, and that she actively resisted as they tried to remove it from her.
Paramedics took the injured people to a hospital for treatment to cuts they sustained in the attack, according to the report.
Mitchell was taken to HCA Florida JFK Hospital North in West Palm Beach, where police interviewed her. She was booked into the jail later that day.
The arrest report and online court records did not indicate whether Mitchell had received a mental-health assessment.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Julie Mitchell's arrest ends her run for Tequesta council seat
