Last Updated: 8:24 p.m.
Andy Dance won his second term on the Flagler County Commission, trouncing Fernando Melendez in the only clear runaway victory of the evening as the Supervisor of Elections announced results of the primary.
David Alfin will no longer be the mayor of Palm Coast after November. That role will be filled either by Mike Norris or Cornelia Manfre.
With all votes counted, Lauren Ramirez won the District 5 School Board seat against Vincent Sullivan, posting a 20-point-margin victory, while Janie Ruddy beat Derek Barrs by a handful of votes in District 3. “She’s definitely put on a good campaign, and I’m proud of us for both keeping it clean,” Sullivan had said of Ramirez this afternoon. “There’s been no mudslinging. So for that, I thank her.”
Kim Carney easily beat Nick Klufas, the Palm Coast City Council member, by almost 10 points, and Bill Clark by more, while Pam Richardson beat Ed Danko by barely 40 votes, though it is likely Danko will request a recount, as the difference is below 1 percent.
Ruddy won on a shoestring budget against Barr’s heavily financed operation, overcoming Barr’s Republican advantage as well, while Barr could not overcome the sense that he was newly arrived and running against an educator of long standing locally. Ruddy was celebrating this evening at the Village Pub and Deli at European Village, a business owned by a teacher where she’d kicked off her campaign months ago. But she was celebrating with some measure: “I’m going to be a little cautious. I know there’s some provisional ballots and signature checks to compare against, which will happen on Aug. 23,” she said, her eyes on a margin of less than 300 votes. “In this race its going to be quite close and I’ll feel more secure come Friday.”
In Palm Coast, Norris was the leading vote-getter by a comfortable margin, taking 32 percent of the vote in a five-way race, to Cornelia Manfre’s 22 percent. Alfin received just 19 percent, with Peter Johnson and Alan Lowe almost tied at just under 14 percent each. That sets up a run-off between Manfre and Norris, ending Alfin’s tenure. Just as arrestingly: the Palm Coast City Council will have four new members when they are sworn in the first week of December, with Theresa Pontieri its lone holdover–if not survivor–and with just two years on the council.
The District 3 Palm Coast City Council race between Dana Stancel, Ray Stevens and Andrew Werner was very close between all three, but in the end Werner led the count with almost 35 percent, with Stevens in second, by two votes over Stancel, setting up a runoff in November. In the District 1 race, Ty Miller was the clear leader, but without the 50 percent margin necessary to eliminate the need for a runoff. He will face Jeff Seib in the November runoff, as Seib edged out Austrino by 449 votes.
In the race for state House, Sam Greco beat Darryl Boyer by well over 20 points even in Flagler, Boyer’s turf, and Tom Leek beating David Shoar and Gerry James: Leek was handily beating Shoar even in St. Johns County, Shoar’s turf.
Only two incumbents were running among the local county, school board or Palm Coast races or even the races for the state Legislature, where Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner are term-limited. But it was not quite a clean-slate election. All five constitutional officers in Flagler County were re-elected without opposition, and several of the candidates have either held office before or run for local office before, some of them several times. Still, there will be two new members on the School Board, two new members on the County Commission, and at least two new members on the City Council.
Dance, a Republican, is the only incumbent who who free and clear. It is his sixth election victory in a row. He first ran for School Board in 2008 in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Jim Guines. He won by 16 points. He was unopposed when he ran two years later, he won by 20 points in 2014, was again unopposed in 2018, and won his first County Commission race in 2020 by 25 points.
The Dance-Melendez race is over. If the other two County Commission races are effectively over, that won’t become official until November, because today’s winners in those two races still face a write-in candidate each. Neither write-in was visible during the primary. Neither is expected to make any kind of showing ahead of he general. The write-ins were strategic ploys to close those two primaries to independent and Democrats in hopes that the harder-right Republicans who vote in primaries sway the result away from moderate choices.
If turnout had seemed a bit tepid during early voting, an Election Day surge of over 7,500 voters nearly matched the 7,740 who voted during the eight days of early voting. Combined with more than 12,000 casting mail-in ballots, turnout was nearing 30 percent–better than in 2016, and almost matching 2020. Turnout in the 2016 primary, the year that featured a six-way Republican primary for sheriff that Rick Staly won and the race for Supervisor of Elections that Kaiti Lenhart won, was 27.1 percent. Turnout in 2020 was 30.5 percent.
In this election, just over 16,000 registered Republicans cast a ballot, compared to barely 8,000 Democrats and a little over 3,000 independents.
Correction: An earlier update briefly had Derek Barrs and Ed Danko ahead of Janie Ruddy and Pam Richardson, respectively, when we misinterpreted results as final results.
Primary Election 2024 Results: Flagler County's Local Races and State Races
| Flagler School Board, District 3 | ||
| Derek Barrs | 12257 | 49.42 |
| Janie Ruddy | 12545 | 50.58 |
| Flagler School Board, District 5 | ||
| Lauren Ramirez | 14717 | 60.65 |
| Vincent Sullivan | 9550 | 39.35 |
| City of Palm Coast Mayor | ||
| David Alfin (incumbent) | 3708 | 18.33 |
| Cornelia Manfre | 4795 | 23.70 |
| Peter Johnson | 2712 | 13.41 |
| Alan Lowe | 2666 | 13.18 |
| Mike Norris | 6348 | 31.38 |
| Palm Coast City Council, District 1 | ||
| Kathy Austrino | 3694 | 19.19 |
| Shara Brodsky | 2831 | 1470 |
| Ty Miller | 8586 | 44.59 |
| Jeffrey Seib | 4143 | 21.52 |
| Palm Coast City Council, District 3 | ||
| Dana Stancel | 6186 | 32.80 |
| Ray Stevens | 6188 | 32.82 |
| Andrew Werner | 6483 | 34.38 |
| Flagler County Commission, District 1 | ||
| Andy Dance (Incumbent) | 17233 | 70.27 |
| Fernando Melendez | 7291 | 29.73 |
| Flagler County Commission, District 3, Republican Primary | ||
| Kim Carney | 6379 | 42.58 |
| Bill Clark | 3653 | 24.38 |
| Nick Klufas | 4949 | 33.04 |
| Flagler County Commission, District 5, Republican Primary | ||
| Ed Danko | 7546 | 49.87 |
| Pam Richardson | 7586 | 50.13 |
| US Senate, Republican Primary | ||
| John Columbus | (864) | (5.48) |
| Keith Gross | (1191) | (7.55) |
| Rick Scott | (13723) | (86.98) |
| US Senate, Democratic Primary | ||
| Stanley Campbell | (1446) | (18.79) |
| Rob Joseph | (304) | (3.95) |
| Debbie Mucarsel-Powell | (5427) | (70.52) |
| Brian Rush | (519) | (6.74) |
| Congress, District 6, Republican Primary | ||
| John Grow | (2329) | (15.15) |
| Michael Waltz | (13040) | (84.85) |
| Richard Thripp | ||
| Republican State Senate Dist. 7 | ||
| Gerry James | (2775) | (17.88) |
| Tom Leek | (7773) | (50.09) |
| David Shoar | (4971) | (32.03) |
| Republican State Representative, Dist. 19 | ||
| Darryl Boyer | (5706) | (37.78) |
| Sam Greco | (9397) | (62.22) |
| Republican State Committee | ||
| Sharon Demers | 6629 | 47.76 |
| Jearlyn Dennie | 1947 | 14.03 |
| Regan Hansen | 5305 | 38.22 |
| Republican Precinct Committee | ||
| Darryl Boyer | 538 | 24.82 |
| Ed Fuller | 249 | 11.49 |
| Robert Jolley | 232 | 10.70 |
| Gary Kunnas | 228 | 10.52 |
| Alan Lowe | 354 | 16.33 |
| Randy Stapleford | 297 | 13.70 |
| Stephen Verrier | 270 | 12.45 |
The Sour Kraut says
Draining the swamp?
Deborah Coffey says
A good start!
T says
Who what explain
Backslapping Commission says
Well there is one thing that good old Alfin was right about during his 4 year
Mayoral seat, “LOWE IS UNELECTABLE”, will you please stop
running already Mr. Lowe you are in the way of the better candidates!
Nancy N. says
I hope Klufas understands how his party screwed him over with their fascist shenanigans. Maybe he’ll think twice about where his loyalties lie.
A Flagler REC member says
Sharon Demers had it out for Klufus even as far back as 2 years ago. How do I know? She told me during a monthly meeting of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee. So I’m “in the know” (for the person who thinks I’m not “in the know”). Sharon Demers told me she wanted Klufus gone because he’s a RINO, he drives a Tesla and he’s a Bernie Sanders supporter. How would she know?
Then at the beginning of this election cycle, Klufus went groveling before the membership of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee and was put through the ringer by the membership (lead by Sharon Demers, Mike Norris, et al). Klufus mistakenly thought that getting backed by the Republican Executive Committee would assure him of a win for the county commission seat. Unfortunately, Sharon Demers already had her political daggers drawn.
So I agree with Nancy N. I hope Klufus understands how his party screwed him over (behind the scenes).
Hopefully going forward, Klufus will re-evaluate where his loyalties lie.
Back door creeper at the REC..... says
Sharon Demers don’t represent the the Republican Executive Committee she represents herself and the Pastor J. They had to cheat to beat Hansen.
Sharon Demers was in the parking lot handing out approved candidates to vote for cards including herself and Danko.
She should never have been elected as she lacks character. Besides she is a RINO because up until 2010 she was a Democrat.
Mike says
Demers IS the Republican Party here.
Scary says
Scary then cause she gets paid by candidates to promote them and it’s usually the bad ones
PoppaG says
It appears it was an unfair fight for Nick Klufas as previously mentioned here and in my opinion, a loss for Flagler County.
As one of the brightest young leaders we have in Palm Coast, I’m sure Klufas will be just fine. I just hope he stays actively involved because his experience and critical thinking are extremely valuable. I wish they could make a special exception and allow him eligible for the recently vacated City Council seat.
Callmeishmael says
Klufas lost because he disrespected the constituency that elected him in the first place. Period. The same with Alfin. They didn’t pay the least bit of attention to the citizens concerns until they both realized their elections were not going to be cakewalks after all.
I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of either of these gentlemen in the political arena. Let’s hope for lessons learned next time.
As for Danko, it looks like my taxes are going up after all, so if you just stop coming to council meetings you won’t have to drink any antifreeze.
Just stay home.
Celia Pugliese says
Poppa give us a break. No Klufas again in government here! Enough of his costly failure for us all his city owner Fiber Optic that even the last important account (the school) is or will be switching to cheaper service from the big boys! A 33 millions pickle ball courts while 1.100 Palmcoasters lost the ITT given right in 1980’s to the Belle Terre Swim and racket club pool use , denied by 3 school board votes? All his yes to developers up, spot zoning erasing our Harborside Resort destination in our historical C section and good bye to the 371 local well paid hospitality jobs on it? Trying to stick us 150 feet tall cell tower 150 feet from our homes was a NO from our residents funded legal team! Want cell towers no problem if safely located at proper distance from our homes Mr. Klufas good riddance, adios!
The dude says
The good news is the area finally realized what a small and petty man Danko is.
The bad news is that it was only by 40 votes.
And of course, Danko jr. (Norris) looks to be in the running for mayor now.
This place will never change.
Vincent says
Prayers answered and our votes counted Alfin is history.
Disgusted in Flagler County says
So now we have THREE REALTORS on the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners.
1. Kim Carney (backed by Dennis McDonald and the owners of Captain’s Barbecue, one of whom, Michael Goodman, is also on the planning and zoning committee). Watch for a lot of rezoning now.
2. Pam Richardson.
3. Andy Dance.
WOW!!! What a way to move forward in Flagler County! What a way to “drain the swamp”!! I don’t want to hear anyone complaining about re-zoning, mowing down trees, traffic, and multiple upon multiple housing developments going up anywhere. Oh, and I forgot storage units.
No she Sherlock. says
Realtor’s are not necessarily developers. They sell homes after the first homeowners sell.
Stop worrying about a Realtor worry about keeping Danko out.
Andy Dance says
First, I want to thank Flagler County voters for their trust and confidence during this re-election.
Second, I need to clarify my profession. I am NOT a REALTOR. I am a licensed Landscape Architect, and have been working as a Landscape Architect for over 35 years. I have operated my own landscape architecture business for the past 16 years. It is my sole business. The confusion must be due to the fact that I also have a Florida Brokers license. Having earned the license does not make you a REALTOR. It does mean I spent hours studying real estate and housing laws, property rights, taxes that affect real estate, and planning and zoning laws, in order to achieve this license.
Also, please research my record before you lump me with the problems associated with rapid growth and development. I have voted against increased density on a fragile oceanfront property (https://flaglerlive.com/solitude-denied/), voted against high intensity commercial rezoning adjacent to residential zoning (https://flaglerlive.com/hammock-high-intensity-rejected/), voted against development that failed to adequately review traffic impacts (https://flaglerlive.com/bjs-wholesale-traffic-impact/), and proposed a policy amendment to the land development code that will protect mature canopy trees and preserve our natural resources (https://flaglerlive.com/flagler-tree-ordinance/).
Jane Gentile Youd says
With all due respect Andy I am a PROUD REALTOR since 1979 and always fio other difference. One must be a member of a local board, state board and National Association – voluntarily to have a Realtor designation., Broker – Realtor no difference other than Realtors have very strict rules and try to help their members- 95% Realtors are Residential not Commercial
Celia Pugliese says
Andy what are you going to do about the “touch and goes” noise and lead contaminating over residents homes that presented since the July opened X Portal well over a 1000 complaints like this:
I live at Llobell Place, I would be happy to assist anyone in the County for a noise study. Yesterday, I had a new pool pump put in, the guys were at my home for about 2 hours and literally made the comment, “Lord, I could not live like this, why do they fly like that?”. To verify, please contact Allen, Aquatic Xpress.
If the flight schools were stopped, Palm Coast would be a wonderful place to live. Instead, it is chasing out long time residents and I have no idea how you expect to fill these new homes, especially the ones being built off of Citation and Seminole Woods. Those new homes will back up directly in the path that I live with every single day.
Flights are getting worse, starting before 7am. Yesterday, they were relentless for (3) straight hours flying over my home on both sides of my home from 3ish until almost 7 pm. So, that is double the flights, double the noise for hours at a time.
Thank you,
Michelle Kraft
As so far you done nothing.
Please do away with :touch and goes” at FIN Airport.
Mike says
Andy is NOT a realtor. What moron told you that? Mullins is a developer, did you know that? We’d all be rich if ignorance paid here.
Jane Gentile Youd says
Hey Mike –
It is an honor to be a Realtor. Very few are out to bid for developers. Many Realtors, as well as me, always have been against plans to expand west, or anywhere, before fixing the areas where the current ( not future residents) live now. I , and most Realtors, are lovers of nature and trees and fight outrageous zoning changes constantly anf continually in my area ( Plantation Bay) as well as in Palm Coast,
The real problem are the elected officials and their crony board appointees who approve destroying our area not the Realtors
! So please stop trashing my entire profession without facts!
Doug says
Congratulations Andy! It’s refreshing to have a “local” in county government to keep things grounded.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Payback for voting for the apts on Belle Terre & Matanzas Woods pkw! BYE BYE!
john stove says
Alfin…..good riddance
Buh-Bye Felicia
me says
The people of Palm Coast have spoken, Alfin your fired.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Im dancing a jig!!!!! Wish you could see the big smile on my face!!!!! Stuff EM IN Alvin is history! He will go down as the worst mayor in P/C ! Now if we can get rid of Klufas …… The city might servive!
Celia Pugliese says
Dennis, Klufas no longer in city or county! This was the result of us resident spending in attorney’s services to defend us and our homes from his misguided authoritarian plans!
DennisCRathsam says
BYE BYE KLUFAS!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!
JimboXYZ says
“In Palm Coast, Norris was the leading vote-getter by a comfortable margin, taking 32 percent of the vote in a five-way race, to Cornelia Manfre’s 22 percent. Alfin received just 19 percent, with Peter Johnson and Alan Lowe almost tied at just under 14 percent each.”
I think a 7+ point victory over Manfre & it’s clear Norris sb the next mayor. Why have a run off ? The last election that resulted in Alfin, nobody landslided the Mayor spot either. Danko only lost by 40 votes, I could see a run off for that ? Norris won by 1,553 votes in the table. There’s gotta be more voters than this in Flagler County & Palm Coast. Voter Apathy an issue in 2024 ?
Klufas got beat by 9.5%, 1,430 votes. Danko loses by 1/4%, 40 votes.
Good news is that we have a fresh set of politicians, it’s up to them to make it better here. Regardless of who we did get, it’s going to be a hard job to fix the Alfin growth mess. With all the rubber stamped approvals for growth, they may be sandbagged & handcuffed. The growth that has been approved will march forward as the ghosts of Alfin, Danko & Klufas.
Nancy N. says
“I think a 7+ point victory over Manfre & it’s clear Norris sb the next mayor. Why have a run off ?” — Because, the requirements for the election are laid out very clearly in state law and while it may seem obvious that Norris is going to be the eventual winner, he hasn’t actually won yet according to state law? But don’t let a little thing like the law and democracy get in the way of your authoritarian Trumpism.
Flatsflyer says
Alfin, Danko and Klufas all dumped big time. Trump style loosers lose big time. Glad to see them go down in flames. Now pickup your signs, you are all done in Palm Coast and Flagler County.
David T Schaefer says
After our money making realtor mayor Alfin , no more of them on the city council please…..
Jim says
What a shame that Danko wasn’t able to tip the scales with a candidate to close the primary to Republicans only! I am so glad he’s out. I’m not worried about the recount. In Florida, I’m told our elections are always free and fare so I expect the results will hold up. Goodbye, Danko… Don’t let the door hit you on your way out! (And make sure you take all your MAGA crap with you!)
Alfin apparently just didn’t see the train coming. So many missteps. I just wonder what he saw that made him think he even had a chance. Thanks for raising council salaries, firing the city manager for some of the most undefined reasons I’ve ever read, pushing as much expansion as possible without ever having a plan to take care of the infrastructure issues we currently have and just being generally out of step with the citizens of this city. On the bright side, he can go sell real estate in all the developments he helped push through. Goodbye, realtor.
Pat Stote says
Congratulations Pam Richardson From your friends in Pompano Beach. Pat and Lynn Stote
Miami North says
Big ol ‘L’ for Palm Coast with Norris in line
marisa lauman says
Finally a break for Palm Coast no more Aflin, Danko , Klufas Can’t wait to see what Mike Norris does for Palm Coast ! I know it will be all positive . Was so tired of the bad mouthing the other candidates people did with out doing research on all the sites or think they are the only right ones