Last Updated: Wednesday, 10:01 a.m.
It was not a good night for Flagler County’s radical, white nationalist Republicans: Joe Mullins, Jill Woolbright and Janet McDonald will no longer be elected officials in the county come November as each was beaten in his or her election bid tonight. Woolbright’s defeat, despite an endorsement by Gov. Ron DeSantis, points to the limits of the governor’s power when put in the service of extremism.
Leann Pennington beat Mullins, the incumbent, one-term county commissioner, in a landslide, winning with 69 percent of the vote. The only other elected official to win an election with anywhere near 70 percent of the vote in recent years is Sheriff Rick Staly, though the comparison may be somewhat off: Pennington was voters’ choice because Mullins had become in every way insupportable.
It is a crushing but unsurprising blow for the most controversial and divisive county commissioner in the county’s 105 years, and the culmination of a tenure fraught with scandals, embarrassments, serial insults of different constituencies, individuals and at least two fellow-commissioners, and finally a campaign acidly informed by lies against Pennington.
Mullins as of this month had poured in $88,000 into the race, most of it his own, and not including political action committee contributions in the tens of thousands of dollars. The PAC money financed a blitz of negative advertising against Pennington in the final weeks of the campaign, much of it lies, such as the lie that she was a Democrat. Pennington is a more moderate Republican than Mullins–most Republicans would be, Mullins’s brand of Republicanism trending more toward white nationalism–but she has been a lifelong Republican. She had raised $24,000 as of mid-August, $7,000 her own but the rest from numerous local contributors–including, notably, $250 from Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley, who has frequently and publicly assailed Mullins’s behavior (and been the subject of defamation by Mullins).
“This is a win for Flagler County,” Pennington said this evening. “This shows Flagler County residents really care about our community and really want the best for us in regards to representation.” She had gone to dinner with her husband and son, avoiding anything like a watch party, and was at dinner when her phone began to “blow up” with the news. “It can be done, because it was really grass roots,” she said of her campaign. She was not expecting a congratulatory call from Mullins. He’s not the type. But, she said, “I would like an apology from him–for what I consider to be an ugly campaign on his side.”
Pennington’s win is not just the defeat of Mullins as an individual, but it represents what could be a significant political shift on the commission, even with Jane Gentile-Youd—the candidate Pennington faces in November—in the mix. Pennington’s or Youd’s election would end what until now had been an ironclad bloc represented by Mullins and acolytes Dave Sullivan and Donald O’Brien. The commission is still all white and all Republican, but Pennington–who may be only the third woman elected to the commission in its history (as would be Youd)–and Commissioner Andy Dance represent a more measured, more environmentally minded side of the party. The breakdown now could make Hansen a powerful swing vote on many issues, though with Mullins gone, O’Brien and Sullivan could also rediscover an independence–if not a spine–they had inexplicably surrendered to him.
“I hope that we recognize how beautiful Flagler County is and as we go through this tremendous growth, everybody is conscious about preserving that look and feel that we love about Flagler,” Pennington said. “That’s a big thing for me, I don’t want to lose what we all love about FC. I understand that growth is inevitable but at what cost.”
Mullins did not respond to a text requesting comment, but posted the picture of a rising sun, assuming the picture was shot eastward: he could have been on the West Coast (he travels a lot, as he is fond of advertising on his social media pages), and the picture could have been that of a setting sun, though Mullins was never known for the accuracy of his metaphors, or any kind of accuracy.
The only other County Commission race is that of incumbent Greg Hansen, who was challenged by Janet McDonald and Denise Calderwood. Hansen won re-election, if by a much smaller margin that he would have hoped: with two-thirds of votes counted, he was ahead of Calderwood, 43-24, and well ahead of McDonald, who decided to leave her school board seat by November and attempt to be a commissioner. Since only three Republicans ran, with no Independent or Democrat lined up in November, Hansen’s win equated to a re-election to his second elected term. He was originally appointed to the seat by Gov. Rick Scott in 2017.
McDonald’s bid fell as short as her husband’s two previous attempts, though Dennis McDonald had done better in his two runs, before the McDonald brand was tarnished in a series of self-inflicted embarrassments by both McDonalds: on the school board, McDonald openly espoused Qanon’s conspiracy theories and joined fellow-board member Jill Woolbright in a crusade against books and free expression on campus.
Jill Woolbright was elected to the school board only two years ago but managed in a short time to become nearly as controversial–and just as divisive–as Mullins. She lost to Sally Hunt, 51-49. Hunt was initially ahead by a 10-point margin, but that margin was deceptive: it was not so large that, mathematically, Election Day votes could not turn it around. And the more of those votes were counted, the narrower the margin became, making a Woolbright victory entirely possible. But Woolbright fell short by what she might describe as a satanic margin.
“I am thrilled for our county, I am thrilled for our students and teachers and staff and district,” Hunt said this evening. “This was the vote, this was the outcome that our county really needed, and I just couldn’t be happier.”
Speaking of the past year of ideological tangents by Woolbright, Hunt said: “For somebody to be on a political and religious crusade doesn’t help students learn how to read and doesn’t help students have what they need for the next chapter of their lives when they graduate Flagler County schools. I think the incumbent was incredibly selfish to have disregarded the students and the teachers for her political crusade. I’m so glad Flagler voters decided to vote in support of students and teachers and staff.” Hunt said she looked forward to a new chair of the board who “won’t tolerate going off on tangents.”
Just as remarkably, Trevor Tucker, the three-term school board member, lost to the little known Christy Chong by as large a margin as Hunt was beating Woolbright initially. But as the night wore on, while Hunt’s lead seemed to evaporate, Chong’s held, and grew some: Tucker’s days on the board were nearing their end. Tucker had hardly campaigned, banking on his name.
The third race for the school board, a three-way race between Courtney VandeBunte, lance Alred and Will Furry, was expected to result in a November runoff between the top two vote-getters, with VandeBunte expected to lead the pack. She has. The question was who would come in second. Furry was polling in second place with about three-quarters of votes counted, 14 points behind VandeBunte, with Alred in third, with 22 percent. VandeBunte could have ended the race tonight if she cleared the 50 percent threshold, but that could be out of reach.
One Palm Coast City Council seat was on the ballot, District 2, with four candidates in the running. Theresa Carli Pontieri was ahead, with 37 percent of the vote, with Alan Lowe and Sims Jones for a time trading places for second, the differences in votes between them going back and forth, with each getting roughly 27 percent. In the end Lowe pulled ahead based on today’s heavily Republican turnout. Sims is a Democrat. (It’s a non-partisan race, but not at the ballot box.) Shauna Kanter, who was invisible on the trail, was polling at less than 9 percent.
Turnout was better than any off-year primaries going back to 2004: in 2018, primary turnout was 29.9 in Flagler, and just 19 percent in 2014.
“It was a great day,” Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart said Wednesday morning in an email. “I’m especially proud of our county for the highest turnout in a Primary election since 2004. We were the 4th highest in the state among medium and large-sized counties. Statewide turnout was only 25.84%.”
On Election Day turnout was especially strong, relative to prior elections, drawing out nearly 9,000 voters and pushing the overall turnout past the 33 percent mark. But it still was well short of the nearly 15,000 voters who cast mail-in ballots. Republicans accounted for 54 percent of the votes, well above their 45 percent proportion of the electorate. Democrats’ share of votes was 34 percent, compared to a 28 percent share of the general electorate.
Independents and members of smaller parties represented barely 12 percent of those who showed up at the polls. It’s not a reflection of disinterest as much as it is of a closed primary state where independents have fewer races in which they could vote, though this year’s ballot included a county commission race, two school board races and, for Palm Coast residents, one Palm Coast City Council race.
In other races, Democrat Val Demings was the runaway choice for Senator in that primary (she will face incumbent Marco Rubio). Charlie Crist was winning the Flagler vote in the Democratic primary for governor, beating Nikki Fried handily, 59-36, for the right to face Ron DeSantis this November. That was not just in one county: Statewide, Crist was winning 60 percent of the vote against Fried’s 35 percent, with 1.2 million votes counted–the lion’s share of Democratic votes statewide–as of 8 p.m. Crist is the winner.
U.S. Rep Michael Waltz was winning his primary handily, though State Sen. Travis Hutson, while expected to win easily, was polling a surprisingly modest 62 percent against Gerry James’s 38 percent.
[This is a developing story. More soon.]
Primary Election 2022 Results: Flagler County's Local Races and State Races
| Flagler School Board, District 1 | ||
| Sally Hunt | 15105 | 51.31 |
| Jill Woolbright | 14335 | 48.69 |
| Flagler School Board, District 2 | ||
| Lance Alred | 6514 | 22.26 |
| Will Furry | 9097 | 34.17 |
| Courtney VandeBunte | 12747 | 43.57 |
| Flagler School Board, District 4 | ||
| Christy Chong | 16107 | 55.16 |
| Trevor Tucker | 13094 | 44.84 |
| Palm Coast City Council, District 2 | ||
| Theresa Carli Pontieri | 7949 | 36.76 |
| Sims E. Jones | 5700 | 26.36 |
| Shauna C. Kanter | 1879 | 8.69 |
| Alan Lowe | 6096 | 28.19 |
| Flagler County Commission, District 2, Republican Primary | ||
| Denise Calderwood | 9038 | 32.15 |
| Gregory L. Hansen | 12442 | 44.26 |
| Janet O. McDonald | 6633 | 23.59 |
| Flagler County Commission, District 4, Republican Primary | ||
| Joe Mullins | 5120 | 31.18 |
| Leann Pennington | 11301 | 68.82 |
| James W. Shaw | 5701 | 36.51 |
| Wilton Simpson | 9912 | 63.49 |
| Commissioner of Agriculture, Democratic Primary | ||
| Naomi Esther Blemur | 49.63 | 51.28 |
| J.R. Gaillot | 1652 | 17.16 |
| Ryan Morales | 3037 | 31.55 |
| State Senator, District 7, Republican Primary | ||
| Travis Hudson | 9833 | 61.84 |
| Gerry James | 6067 | 38.16 |
| Representative in Congress, District 6, Republican Primary | ||
| Charles E. Davis | 3186 | 19.54 |
| Michael Waltz | 13118 | 80.46 |
| United State Senator, Democratic Primary | ||
| Ricardo De La Fuente | 268 | 2.56 |
| Val Demings | 9442 | 90.27 |
| Brian Rush | 388 | 3.71 |
| William Sanchez | 362 | 3.46 |
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Democratic Primary | ||
| Charlie Crist | 6172 | 58.82 |
| Cadance Daniel | 276 | 2.63 |
| Nicole Nikki Fried | 3809 | 36.30 |
| Robert L. Willis | 236 | 2.25 |
| Attorney General, Democratic Primary | ||
| Aramis Ayala | 4645 | 47.22 |
| Jim Lewis | 2642 | 26.86 |
| Daniel Uhlfelder | 2550 | 25.92 |
KMedley says
Congratulations Leann Pennington! It is a well-deserved VICTORY! You fought hard and more importantly, you maintained dignity and civility! As a Flagler County voter, thank you!
Gina Weiss says
CONGRATULATIONS LEANN ! We knew you could do it!
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Congratulations Leann. You set out to dethrone the most vicious official in Flagler’s history. Your days and nights of non-stop efforts paid off. Bravo!
Jim says
Perhaps our county has turned a corner today. Goodbye Joe. Goodbye Jill. So long and good riddance. It’s nice to see that your behavior have caught up to you. I hope this trend will continue.
starryid says
‘couldn’t have a Retirement Party for Mullins ’cause there are no telephone booths in Flagler County
Crusty Old Salt says
Now that is a good one!
Justbob says
We can just wave goodbye to Little Joe… But with just one finger.
big boy says
Thank you, voters Mullins out……………
Flying bird says
Yes the Loser can now go back to GA and continue to lose up there . Now when he gets stopped by police officers for speeding in his Ferrari he can’t use the excuse I’m rushing to county board meeting and I run Flagler county . I would like to ask a ? , where has the county board of comm ‘s been through all of Mullins bad behavior ??????? I would like to know why they let that dirt bag disgrace our +county… Congratulations Lean Pennington , the residents of Flagler county wish you good luck in your next endevor… we are with you.
Frank W says
About time we got some new blood in the various offices, especially the School Board.
Alan Lowes defeat if especially gratifying. This is what, his third or forth loss? As a sovereign citizen, he has no business on any elected office.
Hugo says
Mr Lowe, Abraham Lincoln ran and lost many, many , many times . Sir, you’re no Abraham Lincoln .
Four loses should be enough, please stop wasting your time and money and placing signs all over the place.
Congratulations to all the winners .
Dedicated American says
Congratulations Leann. As for Janet McDonald, she came into the race late and took votes away from Denice Calderwood. And tell me she did not realize what she was doing to Denice.
tulip says
I wonder if Hansen suggested to McDonald up to get into the race for that very purpose because he knew he had lost a lot of respect? Denise would’ve made a good commissioner
Flying bird says
Yes YesYes I. NEver thought of that ….. you are right , he must go . Rick Scott appointed him because he is related to John Cornyn Texas senator. The next time around Sullivan and O’Brien must take the exit . Stay strong Flagler , We will eventually clean our county out…
Captain says
See you Joey Wouldn’t want too Be You.Finally Flagler woke up!!!
James says
Well, regarding Mullins I guess all one can say is…
Thank God and Grayhound you’re gone… Thank God and Grayhound you’re gone… gone gone gone
… and now everybody….
Thank God and Grayhound you’re gone!
Kim Pandich-Gridley says
Thank you, Flagler voters. Three of the worst people in the county: Mullins, Woolbright, and McDonald are all gone and for that we should be very grateful. With a little luck, they will leave Flagler for good. I just wish more people had voted. This was an important election and less than a third of our folks voted. Sad.
Robert Joseph Fortier says
It’s a beautiful day this morning…isn’t it?
Thank God that Mullins and his crew are gone and Flagler can get a little more respect because of it.
Jimbo99 says
The voters finally did what the Flagler County Council would not do, censor the Mullins. Just hope that Pennington is an improvement over Mullins on the real issues as the ideal end result of this election.
tulip says
I think Jane Gentile Youd, who is an Independant or NPA will be in the general election against Pennington?
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Yes Tulip. I am on the November ballot. I will be working very hard to earn your vite
tulip says
Jane, I think you are very well qualified and knowledgeable.
Mark says
You are correct tulip.
James says
Yeah she will be, but in my opinion the election is over… and of course Pennington should not assume this.
Ron says
Hopefully the Commission does not vote on any substantial developments with ongoing candidates.
Joe don’t let the door hit you in your ass. This should be a wake up call for O’Brien and Sullivan . Hansen got a break by having McDonald in the race:
for real says
I am so happy to see you go Joe!
Don’t let the door hit you in the A$@%
RANGER says
Can we play midnight train to Georgia by the PIPS.
SEE YA JOE, I will volunteer to load your U HAUL.
Willy James says
Joe, you were an obnoxious asshole when I first met you 4 years ago. Hate to say it, but you have shown you’re ass all through your term in office. You have been nothing more than a human blight in our community! Let me know when you are moving back to Georgia. I will arrange an FHP escort that will take you to the state line. The troopers are tripping over themselves to be picked for this escort duty.
One last point. I hope your soon-to-be x wife takes you to the poor house.
The ORIGINAL land of no turn signals says
Why the description “white nationalist Republicans”?
Jo says
Joe Mullins
JimBob says
Yes, it does seem superfluous doesn’t it?
Purveyor of Truth says
Congratulations Ms. Pennington, on a job well done!
You did it on a shoestring in comparison to your opponent, and you did it with class.
Mr. Tristam does deserve a bit of an assist for his aggressive, but fair reporting, irrespective of the axe to grind. It was priceless.
The other local mediums did not have the courage to address Mullin’s bad behavior head on.
Faith be restored, the voters are astute.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Congratulations, Leanne, for your big win and for keeping it classy and professional even when Dirty Joe Mullins attacked you so dishonorably. He’s garbage and finally got exactly what he deserved. Mullins, we all know you read the comments about you on Flagler Live, so let me remind you that you sealed your fate when you pushed through Kolter Homes’ monster development on Old Kings Road. You scoffed at and dismissed the opinions of concerned residents. You treated us like dirt under your feet, and now you’re paying the price. So go back to your mold-infested apartment building in Georgia and face the residents who’ve been displaced. That’s your job, now. You are not wanted here. And I do hope that commissioners O’Brien and Sullivan have paid close attention to today’s election. They’d better develop some respect for the taxpayers who fund their salaries, because they can be replaced, too.
Simon Says says
O’Brien is the most disrespectful, rudest public official that I have experienced in my life, and I’ve been around for a long time. Very disturbing that he was re-elected the last time.
Wow says
Vote out the extremists but also vote for Chong? Did people READ her interview in flagler Live??
SFwriter777 says
Chong won because Trevor sat on his hands. Yes, she will be a problem, but without Woolbright she’s a lone voice of insanity.
Foresee says
Don’t blame Trevor entirely. Her campaign was “assisted” by Dr. Roy Hinman, CEO of Island Doctors and a major donor to Trump. Island Doctors offices looked like Chong Campaign Headquarters.
FlaglerLive says
While Hinman is a major and frequent donor do hard-right candidates and political action committees (such as a $50,000 check to Friends of Ron DeSantis last August), his name does not appear among the donors to Chong’s campaign as of reports filed through Aug. 19.
Foresee says
INTERESTING!
James says
Or maybe Trevor got too involved with the impact fee issue.
Eva says
Agreed. I will say this, she is young, she is a mother. I will pray that she can grow with a more moderate influence on the Board. And she will not be in a majority of extremists, there is that!
Mark says
Well she’ll be the next one to make headlines when she starts spouting ChristoFascism.
J Depas says
When has it become extreme to protect your children, from things other than reading, writing and math.
this shows the empty headedness of posters who are shallow and cant deal with discourse. the label shutdowns have come to Flagler go back in your hole and let fair minded people take care of business.
Pissed in PC says
So burning or banning books is your answer? Hating on students because they’re different, LGBTQ+ for wanting to be treated equally or giving students the right to be heard, whitewashing slavery, painting history as all rosy and no suffering is acceptable to you. I suggest you put your child in a private school then if you want to protect them from the things you hate.
Ken S. says
I guess Joe couldn’t get out from behind the 8-ball!
paul says
I hope he removes all of his signs from around town…when I read one I cringe. :-(
Good Roddenberry Joe m says
By law the candidate is required to remove or have removed all of their signs.
You know good and well that POS is not going to lift a finger to remove even a single sign.
We as a community should go remove every one of them and dump them all in his front yard.
Ray says
well we can have a beer and a nice firepit burning of all his signs,Gone for good
Robert Joseph Fortier says
Nice one Ken!
Knowsalittle says
Three cancers finally out of office. However, it is amazing there are that many stupid residents in Flagler county who still voted for them.
Concerned Citizen says
I am grateful to see new faces coming in. And changes on the way.
As a resident who is tired of the previous shenanigans I address the new comers directly.
You have a lot of clean up to do from your predecessors. Now is a great time to turn this county around. And get us pointed in the right direction again. That means doing the job the right way. Ethically and honestly at all times. Not when you think we are paying more attention than normal. We will be watching all the time.
As an elected official you will be sworn into your office with an oath. That oath holds you to much higher standards. Do the right thing and we will be behind you 100%. Congrats on your victories. We are looking forward to November.
Sandy says
They first thing they need to do is clean up the office of who/what and where building can occur in this county. For example, Advent should have never been allowed to build that monstrosity on Palm Coast Pkwy. I live near there – residential all around, and the traffic through our quiet streets is going to be – at the very least, problematic.
Mark says
Yep 30 acre hospital stuffed into a 10 pound acre of S***. Still trying to figure where people are going to park.
Denali says
Uhh, the county has no control over what is built or where it is built within the corporate limits of Palm Coast. The county has jurisdiction over the unincorporated areas of the county, not the cities of Palm Coast, Bunnell, Marineland or Flagler Beach. Geo-political boundaries do matter.
Your concerns should have been addressed to the city council – not that they would have listened . . .
Eva says
Well said! Also, please make an effort to unite the citizens, even if it seems hopeless, it is not! We used to get along quite well with our crazy mix of opinions in this great country, and all parties were respectful. Let’s work on getting that back, at least here. in Flagler. God help us through this election cycle and 2024!
Celia Pugliese says
Was nice to see us all united behind LeAnne against Mullins, big numbers lead to victory. In this city and county those we elect to represent us stab us in the back maliciously once seated and ignore our 3 minutes pleas while enduring all the BS in never ending meetings were now the city does not even reply to our request. They thumb their noses to us and use our taxes with favoritism for developers and contractors greed. They are basing for growth skewed traffic studies requested from developers for their presented plans, something like asking the fox to design the chicken coop! Other than widening the existing roads like Old Kings Road behind schedule by about 15 years so they pack over 9,000 vehicles a day now in residential roads like Florida Park Drive and increase speeding traffic in Cimarron with no sidewalks making it a hazard for students ( one already killed there) and all. Shamefully the city council gives the run around now also to the residents of Cimarron like they did for over 15 years to the residents of Florida Park Drive were they just had the audacity to vote down the two islands for which they spent a fortune on engineer studies in 2020 and 21 as was to reduce traffic speed and deter pass thru use besides enhancing the appeal of that blighted FPD. The Holland administration had approved $300,000 budget for it and Mayor Alfin and co. ignore it by voting NO to :https://flaglerlive.com/164771/florida-park-drive-calming/ a 240,00 bid cost to complete it below the 300,000 approved in 2021…Also the mayor is not fond of speed tables or humps for safety in our roads unlike all over our country is being done to endure growth and provide safety. Now in Ormond speed humps will be installed in Granada Bld. Are we becoming in Palm Coast and this county residents of a lesser God to our officials? Aren’t we deserving of preservation of our quality of life, safety, the value of our homes and respect for the taxes we pay? This primary have shown our discontent and hope the voters won’t forget how much ignored we are from the dais but we will keep up asking them to deliver what we pay for, relentless with no stop.
James says
Wow! Everybody is a Leann Pennington fan…for now. Wonder how many BOCC votes it’ll take before everybody here gangs up on her. Just funny to see all love for a Republican on here.
Glad Trevor and Woolbright are gone, with McDonald. The entire school board needs to be changed out! They’ve been on there so long they hardly know the problems, let alone the solutions.
James says
I think anyone who gets the job is going to have a difficult time of it here in Flagler… besides, you can’t please everyone. Was Joe just giving the people what they wanted? I guess it depends on who you talk to, he still got some votes.
But Joe was exceptional in that he had worked hard at making it difficult… for himself and the county.
Just my opinion.
Eva says
Interesting comment, James, on Leann and our love for a Republican lol. I read Leann’s interview and I found her articulate and highly intelligent. She seems ready and able to work for this county with honor and class. Let’s work at being party-blind! We can work on differences of opinion without ugliness towards our neighbors. Now that Joe and cohorts are gone gone, we have hope!
Pissed in PC says
I’m so glad cause I’m sure that Joe’s cars will now be repossessed and we’ll have to toss him in the next open boxcar on that midnight train to Georgia. Bye Janet and thanks for falling into my Facebook trap, time for you to leave Florida too. Adios Jill and go get those satanic demons removed. I’m sorry Denise cause Hansen is only wants to pad his pocket with developers. Congratulations to Sally, Trevor you have to campaign and not count on name recognition to win and Courtney we’ll get you elected. Palm Coast is still a disaster with a known racist elected. Sad day for the city.
JonK says
Mr. Mullins,
I wrote a lengthy good by to you but decided to be more succinct.
Joe, take your disrespect, lies, fraud, and self righteous Bull scat somewhere else.
We, the citizens of Flagler county, are done with you. Good riddance. We don’t ever want to see you back.
I am so looking forward to having someone with class, honor and not only self-respect but the respect of the community SITTING IN YOUR FORMER SEAT.
Roy Longo says
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey good by! You carpet bagging douche bag, time to move on. Congratulations Leann!
Doug says
It’s great to see Mullins get voted out, he needed to go. Now, pack up and move back to Georgia you loser.
Deborah Coffey says
Better than expected outcomes considering the Flagler County voter base. The only real nutcase now…Christy Chong.
Edith Campins says
I can only hope that the results of this election signal a return to common sense and civility for this county.hese results should serve as a warning for Danko.
RitaMae says
Let’s hope the good citizens of Palm Coast remember this election when it comes time to vote for City Council in 2 years. Danko is another Joe Mullins! Same tempermant and personality. His agenda is exactly that, his agenda! He is not out for the good of the citizens of this beautiful city, he is out for his own personal gain. He difinitely has that ‘Napoleon Complex’
Clean up crew says
Congrats to all the winners. Thats how it goes to all the losers. No all of you go out today and clean up all your mess at every intersection in Palm Coast!!!
A.j says
I read a section of the story, all white all republican in Flagler County, is this the future of American Politics, time will tell.If that is the case people of color should ready themselves for stripped rights and more oppression. Jim Crowe laws again and deadly slavery, then no rights at all.
James says
You would think that Sims would at least have beat out Lowe, guess not.
Concerned Citizen says
A.J.
Your racism is no different than what you are protesting. Discrimination and Racism from anyone has no place. We all need to make a difference.
Pissed in PC says
You are part of the problem here if you voted a party line vote instead of who can or has the full requirements to do the best job! So yeah we can lump you in with them. That’s what’s wrong with your party. The left isn’t the problem, your myopic view is. You believe everything that Fox Hatred channel, Newsmax or OAN tells you to hate and don’t think for yourself. Any party that supports having Orban as a speaker at events just shows us who you really are and should never be allowed in power again.
Concerned Citizen says
I have voted against standard party lines and pushed from change from day 1. Not sure how you got that comment directed towards me. LOL
annoyed with PC says
pissed in PC well said,people need to think for themselves and not far right people or far right media.to much devision between people now
No Rino here... says
Yup she won but,
Brett Borden a write in candidate was put up to running to force a runoff by special interests groups that backed the Mullins campaign.
The dirty play book continues.
Brett Borden is so incompetent that he was using a written script when he signed up at the election office. It’s sad that the special interests dirtbags used a person that may not have the mental maturity to actually know what he was signing up for. What scumbags!
Leann must win by 50% plus one vote in November.
Her signs need to remain up, we need to donate to her campaign and we need to put pressure on this candidate that is being used by the Mullins backers.
Ya think he’s gone but he doesn’t want to leave without causing his dysfunctional chaos.
Remember, no matter party affiation anyone can vote for Leann Pennington in November.
Keep the special interests at bay, get this guy Brett Borden out, he’s a shill for the dirtbag friends of Joe Mullins.
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
No Rhino Here: Who the hell is this Brett Borden, makes sense that they threw him in and he came out of nowhere, we will be watching him and his ties closely and we will all come together to vote for Leann Pennington. You are right the developers need another crony to continue their dirty work.
Woke Palm Coaster says
I’m not sure what you are talking about. There were only 2 candidates for District 4. Joe “Farewell” Mullins and Leanne Pennington. Leanne has been declared the winner….per Flagler County Supervisor of Elections website.
“ Board of County Commissioners, District 4
ChoicePercentVotes
Joe Mullins (REP). 31.18%. 5,120
Leann Pennington (REP). 68.82%. 11,301
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Winner of the Republican Primary is not the final definite replacement for Mullins. November 8, the date of the General Election in which all parties get to vote – including Dems and Independents will be the final deciding race on who, which of the two ladies running, will be the next Flagler County District 4 Commissioner. Confusing to everyone, including me who can make no sense of Florida’s crazy election rules!
* A final note: The county commission has no jurisdiction over the City of Palm Coast’s zoning or other decisions only the issues in which they cooperate in inter-local agreements,
Josh B says
Pennington wins with a plurality (the most votes). No 50% + 1 in play in this one. Her opponents have no chance to win. It is over evening of November 8, no runoff. Mr. Borden should drop out, likewise Mrs. Jane Youd. You are honorable people please give Pennington time to learn the job for the benefit of all rather than having to stay in campaign mode all the way to November
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Josh – Please do not compare me, with 20 years of dedication to Flagler County issues including continually, year after year after year, trying to save YOUR tax dollars, to the ghost Mr. Borden.
I hold my head up very high and believe that many of the NO Joe votes were NO more Joe votes no matter who or what combined with YES YES Leann votes. Leann did a great job; she is a great lady and we get along fine and think a lot alike but reality is Joe helped his own defeat more than anyone else campaigning against him in my not so humble opinion. The voters will have 2 choices in November so please try to be a little more respectful to my real hard work and my offer to the voters to elect me to represent them officially . I have no intention as long as I am alive and well, of giving up my dream to represent all of us in Flagler County whether green, red, blue, pink or yellow – even those who insult me!
Thank you in advance.
Realist says
Congratulations Leanne for helping get rid of Joe Mullins.
bruce says
Mr Mullins every one knows what you are like, This is not only your one lost You will loose your case in Ga that why your filed bankruptcy Now do every one a favor Just like you were run out of Ga please leave Flager county actually please leave Florida
SFwriter777 says
Bought a house in Flagler Beach in 2020. Great neighbors. Great town. Great county. And then I started reading articles about this Mullins character. Made me pause. What kind of people would support this this abusive clown? Relieved to see he went down in flames. Also, glad to see that Woolbright is gone. Have a feeling she thought the Salem Witch Trials were a good idea.
JimBob says
The Salem Witch Trials were presided over by Massachusetts’ most prominent Christian leaders. Some things never change.
Lee says
A mile stone for Flagler county !!
Best news for the day, thank you Flagler Live for keeping us posted with all these useless takers the county has.
Now bring on the dictators and criminals for the general elections, make it all transparent for the people who require real freedom.
wallingford says
Finally the people of Flagler County came t their collective senses and voted the embarrassment out of office. Now we must focus on the November election.
So that Danko does not have a like-minded individual on the PC City council t disrupt it, we need to make certain that Lowe is not elected. Every time he has rune for Office, whether Mayor or councilman, we have rebuked his advances. We need to do it one more time. It will be a low [excuse the pun] point in PC politics if he is elected.
Christopher Lemke says
Looks like the Joe Mullins Derangement Syndrome is in full swing. Pennington? beware. My only consolation is a win by Christy Chong. She is a true conservative and will do well for us and the children.
Justbob says
Chong? Beware of schoolhouse exorcisms.
Tired of it says
Have you actually heard what she has to say? She is another extremist.
annoyed with PC says
shes just another right wing crazy extremist,How she got elected is beond me
Jonathan says
Flagler County Voter’s prayers have been answered rid of the incompetents:
Mullin, Woodbright and McDonald.
Lets hope Mullin takes a train back to Georgia and Woodbright can spend more time in her church. McDonald so pleased your are history in Flagler County.
Mark says
Now both parties can go remove the losing candidates signs and make Palm Coast a little less trashy, in the next week would be nice. Last election some signs were still in peoples yards for the losers 6 months later. Oh, while one party is doing that they can remove the loser “president” signs from 2020 that still pollute some neighborhoods too. Hopefully Palm Coast will enforce sign laws for any candidate in 2024 that goes up before then.
annoyed with PC says
I couldnt have said it better
What Else Is New says
Congratulations to Pennington, Hunt and Vanderbunte! Well done. But too bad voters did not read and understand Chou’s interview on Flaglerlive. Thankfully, her book-banning intentions and far right notions will be voted down. It was time for Mullins to go. We’ll see if Sullivan and O’Brian get a backbone, though questionable. What’s good? Hope and change.
JoB says
Thankful that Sally Hunt won her election outright.
Courtney Vandebunte has to face Will Furry in November. He, Chong, and Woolbright were all at the Parkview Church together when Woolbright made her “satanic evil” speech. Hopeful Courtney will win in November as she is an advocate for ALL students.
Robjr says
Yes.
I wonder how Chou got so many votes.
I guess many people don’t read.
Chou, Woolbright and Furry seem to be all from the same “pew”.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
A few months ago I heard a disturbing rumor from two unrelated sources, to the effect that Mullins and his advisors had arranged for an intellectually challenged young man to sign up as an independent candidate to run in the November election. At that time, the story goes, Mullins was certain he would win the August 23 primary and thus have to face Jane Gentile-Youd in November. In order to dilute her votes in November so he could win a majority, he was going to “use” the young man by placing his name on the ballot, even though he knew very well that the young man was incapable of doing the commissioner’s job. Mullins’ thinking was that enough voters would just randomly pick a name and vote for the young man, taking enough votes away from Gentile-Youd for him (Mullins) to win. However we have a different scenario, now. Dirty Joe will not be running in November. Leanne Pennington, who trounced him in the primary, will face Jane Gentile-Youd. If the rumor I heard is true and that the young man will either be on the November ballot, or run as a write-in candidate, then Mullins should be charged with both electoral fraud and abuse of an intellectually challenged person. If true, this is reprehensible, and I’m putting this out there so everyone can be watchful. Well, Joe, is there any truth to this?
James says
Well who was Kanter? Another “pseudo candidate” in my opinion.
FB Native says
Hallelujah — Joe Blow is gone! Flagler Citizens finally woke up and ended the clown show of Mullins & Woolbright. We’ve had enough of their antics and deserve more moderate, and morally sound representatives.
And isn’t it quite curious, for a little man like Joe to be -$600k in the hole, yet spend $80k on his campaign for a position that only pays half of that?
Weird. You’d think that rather than trying to weasel out of his alimony, he would try to save up as much money as possible for his ever-growing legal fees. That commissioner seat must have really drawn quite the grift for him to dump so much into it.
One last closing note, I look forward to hearing the truth come out about the drug deal — learning that Joe turned on his one-time dealer and used the kid for a flash newsworthy distraction. Only time will tell.
Duncan says
We didn’t completely expel those that want to take us back to the 18th century. However, voters were able to band together to avoid a revival of the Inquisition! So long; Joe Mullins, Jill Woolbright and Janet McDonald.
Kathy Robison says
As no surprise, this is a disgusting article. There are MANY conservative, God-fearing people in Flagler County that should be VERY offended with this statement: ‘It was not a good night for Flagler County’s radical, white nationalist Republicans: Joe Mullins, Jill Woolbright and Janet McDonald will no longer be elected officials in the county come November as each was beaten in his or her election bid tonight.’ We are NOT radical and are NOT white nationalist Republicans but we may have supported these candidates as we are watching what the left is doing to destroy our country! You owe many of us an apology although I doubt that will happen.
Tired of it says
Really? How exactly is the left destroying our country? So far the only ones doing the damage are the extreme right wing Republicans. Did you miss Mar jorie Taylor Greene saying that she doesn’t want solar panels because the lights won’t turn on at night? Or Boebert saying gays can’t get pregnant? Or Herschel saying we have too many trees? Or the Republican whos said we need a stong leader like Hitler? Or the multiple Republican candidates saying that womenwhot get raped should be prosecuted if they get an abortion? And on and on with the irrational offensive statements… Please.
annoyed with PC says
You are so correct with that statement,The right radical Republicans are destroying this nation,Democrats have cleaned up messes that Publicans leave behind.We have never had the problems in this nation untill Trump and his minions devided the nation of lies so excuse me If I dont care one ounce about the republican party
FB Native says
@Kathy — oh, please… go on and support your claim of the “left destroying our country.” What factual evidence do you have to present?
Indeed, it wasn’t the prior administration that lied to the nation about an election that was stolen, colluded with foreign governments, egged on an insurrection that nearly crumbled our democracy, provided trillions in tax breaks for uber-wealthy and “grants’ to shell companies, etc.
Go curl up in the fetal, with Faux News on, and clutch your pearls.
The country is privy to the nonsense and we’re seeing it at the voting booths. Most recently with the Supreme Court decisions, and now with local elections.
No one owes you an apology. Instead, here’s your wake-up call to you and the people you vote for.
Simon Says says
Insurrection with what weapons? A flag pole? The media outlets that deny reality and ignore the most important news stories are of the leftwing variety, including this one. Given the total chaos of the 2020 “Covid 19” election, how can you prove that the election was fair? You can’t! As to the Supreme Court decision on Rowe v. Wade, while I don’t have a strong position on the matter in my old age, I see no problem whatsoever with states deciding on the matter while keeping the federal government out of our personal lives. That was the Supreme Court decision–not the lies projected by the leftwing media. I recently left a state mostly because its political situation became totally unacceptable to me. I encourage others to do the same. If you don’t like the prevailing political situation in this state, you are free to leave as I left the state where I lived for 55 years.
FB Native says
Simon — since you likely only intake Faux entertainment as your source of information, here are some reputable sources that provide more context to your baseless claims.
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/19/977879589/yes-capitol-rioters-were-armed-here-are-the-weapons-prosecutors-say-they-used
https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/indiana-man-pleads-guilty-carrying-gun-and-assaulting-law-enforcement-officers-jan-6
How can one prove that the election was fair?
Oh, I don’t know, how about taking the word of the thorough report by Conservatives on the matter: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3559758-conservative-group-finds-absolutely-no-evidence-of-widespread-fraud-in-2020-election/
You contradict yourself by saying: ” I see no problem whatsoever with states deciding on the matter while keeping the federal government out of our personal lives.” That’s the exact opposite effect of what the overturning of Rowe vs Wade did.
Ray W. says
Out of curiosity, what is stopping conservative God-fearing Flagler County citizens from also being radical, white nationalist Republicans?
Gina Weiss says
Ray W.: Spot on Ray! Good to hear from you again. They sure know how to spew hatred under the guise of God -fearing Christians, scary people indeed and it doesn’t matter anymore what party one belongs to, people are waking up to their cowardly bullying rhetoric and are tired of their BS!
Brian says
“Drizzle, Drazzle, Druzzle, Drome; Time for these three to go home.”
Concerned Citizen says
You know what’s sad?
Joe Mullins still got a decent amount of votes. Even with all the information put out there to inform folks. People were so scared of change they would vote to keep him in office. I mean maybe I’m wrong but why else would you even want to re-elect him?
Flagler County can and needs to do better.
James says
“…why else would you even want to re-elect him?”
Money.
Simon Says says
Greg Hansen, the incumbent, gets only 44% of his own primary vote. Not very impressive and a clear message of voter dissatisfaction with him in his own party. Too bad that it was a three person race with one candidate, Janet McDonald, out of the picture from the start. Why did she run in the first place? To clear the way for Hansen’s re-election? What we need is a strong independent to take on Hansen in November. Any takers out there? It’s a great opportunity for the INDEPENDENCE of Flagler County.
Simon Says says
I got Gladys Knight and the Pips in a YouTube video mixed in here. Is that a message that Joe Mullins is “leaving on a midnight train to Georgia”? Bon voyage, Joe! Good luck in Georgia!
Hurry 2024 says
Now if we can just get the other Joe and Jill out, we would be in great shape!
Pissed in PC says
Why? He’s getting shit done and not giving tax breaks to rich cronies! We got infrastructure passed, student loan debt handled, Chips act passed, gun laws passed. This has been the most productive 19 months since 2016. When we keep the house and senate then we’ll protect social security, Medicare, veterans benefits (Scott and the other republicans want to subset it and make seniors pay tax) get immigration reform, protect voting rights and women’s rights and even get an assault weapons ban. I can remember when military grade weapons were banned and we didn’t have all these school shootings. I think we’re really making progress! Oh but I bet you watch Fox, OAN or Newsmax that tells you what you have to hate.
Hurry 2024 says
Student loan forgiveness is a bunch of bullshit… how about forgiving 10k on my mortgage or car payment same thing right? Or perhaps forgiveness for people using a credit card to pay… ask Chicago how well gun laws work… You can keep pissed, it’s better to be pissed off than pissed on. Have a great day BOSS
Simon Says says
Hurry, as you probably already know, the student loan forgiveness is a deliberate strategy to bribe for votes in the midterm elections. Joe Biden is nothing but a low-life and totally incompetent. He isn’t even running the country. How could he? Just listen to his babble.
Pissed in PC says
What a petty little person you are that would deny someone getting money off their student loans. Where was your outrage when trump gave the top 3% tax cuts to make them richer? Where is your outrage when republican house members Gaetz, Greene, Buchanan and a few others took PPP loan money that has been forgiven when they didn’t need it to keep businesses they own running? Now if you have nothing further to offer of significance I suggest you sit this one out.
Simon Says says
I don’t need to be gagged by anyone. When you sign for debt as an adult, you need to understand the responsibilities and consequences. It’s very simple.
Mary Fusco says
Want to know how I handled my parent loans and my kids handled their student loans? WE PAID THEM BACK . BTW, I drive a 2007 KIA but I would love a 2023. Is someone going to come across and pay my car loan? I won’t hold my breath.
Simon Says says
Mary, I refused to sign on the dotted line on two occasions. I had to drop out of one grad program because I wouldn’t sign for a loan under any circumstances. Enrolled in a different program with a guaranteed paid internship while I earned my MBA. My father was a smart man and refused to co-sign any loan. He taught me to be responsible for myself. Thanks, Dad!
Simon Says says
I’m relatively new here. Are we allowed to say the “s” word? You used it in reference to our senile, constantly disoriented and incoherent President. I didn’t, but it is a very appropriate word when it comes to Joe Biden, the low-life. I couldn’t express it any better. This country is a total mess. I thank God that I live in Flagler County rather than a major metropolitan area right now.
Pissed in P says
Senile I think not! Once again another misinformed faux news viewer that doesn’t get the truth! What’s the matter you can’t handle a real president that actually works for the people instead of playing golf and tweeting? You better sit this one out old fart.
palmcoaster says
I couldn’t have said it any better Pissed in PC! Thank you for this reality post!
Jason ASher says
I pray that this new group will encourage everyone to act like adults and not be an embarrassment to the county. I hope I don’t offend Pierre Tristam by asking that people behave like ladies and gentlemen when representing our city on issues rather than beings in charge of a post-apocolyptic HOA.
Celia Pugliese says
Was nice to see us all united behind LeAnne against Mullins, big numbers lead to victory. In this city and county those we elect to represent us stab us in the back maliciously once seated and ignore our 3 minutes pleas while enduring all the BS in never ending meetings were now the city does not even reply to our request. They thumb their noses to us and use our taxes with favoritism for developers and contractors greed. They are basing for growth skewed traffic studies requested from developers for their presented plans, something like asking the fox to design the chicken coop! Other than widening the existing roads like Old Kings Road behind schedule by about 15 years so they pack over 9,000 vehicles a day now in residential roads like Florida Park Drive and increase speeding traffic in Cimarron with no sidewalks making it a hazard for students ( one already killed there) and all. Shamefully the city council gives the run around now also to the residents of Cimarron like they did for over 15 years to the residents of Florida Park Drive were they just had the audacity to vote down the two islands for which they spent a fortune on engineer studies in 2020 and 21 as was to reduce traffic speed and deter pass thru use besides enhancing the appeal of that blighted FPD. The Holland administration had approved $300,000 budget for it and Mayor Alfin and co. ignore it by voting NO to :https://flaglerlive.com/164771/florida-park-drive-calming/ a 240,00 bid cost to complete it below the 300,000 approved in 2021…Also the mayor is not fond of speed tables or humps for safety in our roads unlike all over our country is being done to endure growth and provide safety. Now in Ormond speed humps will be installed in Granada Bld. Are we becoming in Palm Coast and this county residents of a lesser God to our officials? Aren’t we deserving of preservation of our quality of life, safety, the value of our homes and respect for the taxes we pay? This primary have shown our discontent and hope the voters won’t forget how much ignored we are from the dais but we will keep up asking them to deliver what we pay for, relentless with no stop.