UPDATE:
The Fort Myers Beach recall election results are in. Fort Myers Beach voters chose to remove John King and Karen Woodson from office.
This comes after a petition to recall King and Woodson accused them of violating the Sunshine Law by privately discussing town business and accepting gifts from developers.
Watch to hear Woodson, Link, and Brady's reaction to the election results:
Results show Rebecca Link will be taking the seat from Karen Woodson. In a statement, Woodson said, "I respect what happened tonight, however I have not changed what I believe and care about, my values and priorities. I stood first for the people of the island and the things I think are most important to us."
Link said she’s humbled by the decision, saying residents wanted their voice back after feeling developers held too much influence.
“If it wasn’t for a wonderful bunch of supporters and islanders that want to get their voice heard, I wouldn’t be here,” Link said.
Link beat Tom Brady by just eleven votes. John King also lost, but whether he’ll leave office is unclear, because he’s in the middle of a legal fight that could keep him in office despite the recall. Brady says he’s hopeful the court will honor the voters’ decision.
“I think logic will prevail and the judge will see through this and say yes, the voters of Fort Myers Beach said this is what we want and honor the voice of the voters,” Brady said.
Court documents showed King and Woodson both claimed the allegations were false, saying there was insufficient evidence to trigger a recall. But a judge had ordered the recall after the petition received enough signatures.
Now, Link says she’s ready to focus on rebuilding and bringing the island together.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
The results are in for the Town of Fort Myers Beach recall election.
Both council members up for recall were voted out.
John R. King received 1,037 votes to be recalled.
Karen Woodson received 1,048 votes to be recalled.
Both received 63% of the vote to be removed from office.
FOX 4 spoke to Karen Woodson after the results came in and she said she fears for the future of Fort Myers Beach and the island.
"I respect what happened tonight however I have not changed what I believe and care about, my values and my priorities. I stood first for the people and the residents of the island and the things I think are most important to all of us," said Woodson. "I'm very disappointed. Good luck to them."
FOX 4 also reached out to John King but has yet to hear back.
Rebecca Link received enough votes to potentially replace Woodson.
https://enr.electionsfl.org/LEE/3891/Summary/
