MARK SCHUMANN

Councilman Richard Winger won re-election today in a race that also saw challenger, Harry Howle, finish second ahead of incumbent, Amelia Graves. Howle’s margin of victory over Graves was just 50 votes. Challengers Laura Moss and Brian Heady finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Howle was trailing Graves by just over 100 votes until returns for the barrier island, precinct 17, were reported. On the island, Howle lead the voting with 649, followed by Moss with 566, Winger with 551, Graves with 448 and Heady with 148. Howle’s 201 margin over Graves among beachside voters made the difference in the tight race.

In the last few days leading to the election, two post cards attacking Winger and Graves were sent out by a Tampa-based political action committee.

“It has been a privilege and an honor these past two years,” said Graves this evening. “I just appreciate all the people who contributed to and worked on our campaign. I wish the best for our city going forward.”

Winger, this evening, said he was disappointed by the “pitiful voter turnout.”  Pointing to issues such as the Lagoon, All Aboard Florida, the City’s finances, and short term rentals, Winger was clearly perplexed by the degree of voter apathy.

Howle, who ran on a platform of cutting City’s spending and continuing to push for the sale of Vero Electric, is widely expected to join Councilwoman Pilar Turner in what will likely become a council minority of two.

Some local politicos are already looking to the 2016 election, when Randy Old and Turner will be up for re-election, should they choose to run again. Councilman Jay Kramer is challenging Bob Solari for his seat on the Indian River County Commission. If Kramer defeats Solari, his seat on the City Council will be wide open.