GOP-backed candidates sweep Lauderdale-By-The-Sea in Broward elections
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward County held several municipal races on Tuesday night alongside the state’s Presidential Preference Primary election.
Although all local races consisted of non-party affiliated candidates, both the Broward GOP and the Florida Democratic Party endorsed and supported candidates in certain contests.
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
The Broward GOP endorsed three individuals for the town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, including Richard DeNapoli for Seat 4, District 2; John Graziano for Seat 3, District 1; and Edmund Malkoon for mayor.
Malkoon, who is currently the vice mayor of the town, ultimately won the mayoral race with 40% of the vote, per unofficial results.
DeNapoli was also supported by four out of the five members of the town commission, including Malkoon. Buz Oldaker, the current occupier of Seat 4, District 2, did not endorse DeNapoli and also ran against Malkoon in the mayoral race.
DeNapoli and Graziano each won their races, with 61% and 58% of the vote, respectively, unofficial results say.
Pembroke Pines
Two of the four candidates running for Pembroke Pines city commission, district 3, were endorsed by the two major parties, in what resulted to be a hotly contested race.
Glen Theobald, a career law enforcement officer who has also practiced law, was endorsed by the Broward GOP for the election.
Colombian-born Maria Rodriguez was endorsed by the Florida Democrats as part of their “Take Back Local” initiative, hoping to secure party victories in county and municipality races.
Her priorities include safer roadways, environmentally-friendly waste management solutions and increasing public transportation.
Rodriguez ultimately won with just 1% more of the vote compared to Theobald, per unofficial results. The race is a narrow hold for the Democrats.
Hillsboro Beach
Richard Crusco and incumbent Commissioner Jane Reiser both secured Broward GOP endorsements in the lead the election for Hillsboro Beach’s city commission. Both candidates ended up losing, and Dawn Miller winning.
