Three challengers oust incumbents: Leann Pennington, Sally Hunt, Christy Chong win elections

Palm Coast Observer
News

by: Jonathan Simmons and Brent Woronoff

Challengers ousted three out of four incumbents in local races in Flagler County in the Aug. 23 primary election.

Leann Pennington beat incumbent Joe Mullins in a landslide in the District 4 Flagler County Commission Republican primary, while two School Board seats are changing: Sally Hunt beat incumbent Jill Woolbright for the District 1 seat, and Christy Chong beat longtime board member Trevor Tucker for the District 4 seat.

Of the four local incumbents, only District 2 County Commissioner Greg Hansen won his race.

Hansen, speaking on WNZF, thanked the voters.

“I’ve had a lot of projects that I’m working on for the county, and I really would like time to finish them or at least get them down the road far enough where they will be finished,” he said. “I can’t thank the voters enough for having the faith and the confidence in me to continue.”

Pennington could not be reached for comment before publication time. She’ll face NPA candidate Jane Gentile-Youd and a write-in candidate in the general election.

Mullins, whose single term on the County Commission was recently marred by a scandal about his “I run the county” remark to Florida Highway Patrol troopers who’d pulled him over for speeding, said he was ready to move on.

“Voters have spoken and [it’s] time to move forward,” he wrote to the Observer in a text message. “It has been an honor serving the county, and I’m ready for the next chapter in life and what God has in store.”

Nonpartisan races with more than two candidates will proceed to a runoff unless one candidate wins the race outright by earning 50% plus one vote.

In the four-way race for Palm Coast City Council District 2, where there were no incumbents, Theresa Pontieri came in first, trailed by Alan Lowe, whom she’ll face in a runoff election in November.

“This is the first time I’ve run, so the whole experience has been a roller coaster,” Pontieri said on WNZF News Radio after results came in. “I have to say, though, the amount of support that I’ve had from family and friends and just so many mentors has been just an outpour, and I’m so grateful for it. So just to be in a runoff and see this thing through to November, I’m looking forward to it and ready to work hard.”

Speaking to the Observer, she said that she’d been expecting a runoff.

“So I’m very grateful to advance and keep going till November,” she said. “I’m happy to be number one. I’m very very grateful that the voters in Palm Coast have enough confidence in me to put me up over eight points above the next person in the race. But I’ve got to say, the competitiveness in me — I wanted to win tonight in the primary. But that’s OK, we’ll keep working hard, and I’m confident I’ll be able to do it November.”

She added that she believed her candor had appealed to voters.

“And I just bring, I think, a certain knowledge and skill set to the dais that doesn’t exist currently on there,” she said. “Just with my experience as an attorney, advocating for people all day, every day, it just translates really well. And I think that’s really resonated with our citizens.”

Lowe said he was glad the race hadn’t gotten dirty. “Because that’s what has been happening in the past, but I was grateful it didn’t,” he said. “And I look forward to the next phase on the way to November.”

Courtney VandeBunte came out on top in the three-way race for School Board District 2, and will face Will Furry in a runoff.

“I know I’ll go to November, but I wanted to get it done now, you know what I mean? I’m ahead, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to win,” VandeBunte said. “Getting to November, that’s a good start; that’s what I anticipated. ... But I’m worried about getting to November and then losing in November.”

Asked what she believed had resonated with voters, she said, “I think just kind of being all around the community and being available to talk to anybody who has an interest in our schools and in how to make them better. I feel like I’ve made myself available since last June. I’ve been doing this for over a year, and I’ve been going to every event that I could to make a connection with the community members.”

Furry and Lance Alred may have split the vote among more conservatives voters in that race — a possibility Furry acknowledged in his remarks to the Observer.

“My other opponent was a conservative, so there’s a possibility that some of those votes could come my way if I can earn them,” Furry said. “And I’m going to keep my campaign going strong, keep my message out there and hopefully, take it to victory in November.”

Chong said she’d been optimistic before results came in, but had been wary of getting her hopes too high.

“I’m just really happy and excited,” she said. “I look forward to serving. I’m sad Jill [Woolbright] won’t be joining me tonight, but also congrats to Will [Furry]. He will go to November. And yeah, I’m just really thankful.”

Hunt won a close race with Woolbright, who had received Gov. Ron DeSantis’ endorsement.

“I care about the community,” Hunt said. “And so, it’s been about the community and the kids and the schools this whole time. I’m just so thrilled that we’re in it ... because it’s what really is needed for the School Board.”

View full results on the Supervisor of Elections Office website at https://enr.electionsfl.org/FLA/3235/Summary/.