- May 12, 2026
Antonio “Tony” Amaral Jr. has officially qualified for the Palm Coast City Council District 2 race, securing his place on the ballot through the petition process.
By gathering more than the required number of signatures from local voters, Amaral’s campaign moves into the next phase.
“Qualifying by petition was a choice to put the citizens first,” Amaral said in a press release. “It provided my team and me a vital opportunity to listen. Throughout this process, I heard a consistent message from our neighbors: we know we cannot simply stop growth, but we must have the leadership necessary to guide it for the benefit of every resident in Palm Coast.”
Amaral, 52, a 43-year local resident, says his campaign is centered on the “Smart Growth” philosophy. His platform emphasizes diversifying the city’s tax base to alleviate the burden on residential property owners while simultaneously attracting high-quality, better-paying jobs to the area.
“Our vision is clear,” he said. “We aren’t just talking about change. We have a plan to move our economy forward so that the next generation of Palm Coast residents can find meaningful careers right here at home. This isn’t just my vision, it’s a shared goal that was reinforced by every signature collected.”
Theresa Carli Pontieri has qualified through the petition process to appear on the ballot for the Flagler County Commission District 2 seat.
Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart has certified Pontieri's 970 voter signatures. By going through the petition process, candidates avoid paying the qualifying fee.
Pontieri is currently the vice mayor of Palm Coast. She has been a member of the Palm Coast City Council since 2022.
