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The Fort Myers Beach recall effort began after the council members supported controversial high-rise development projects. A judge has stayed the results for John King, meaning he will remain in office regardless of the vote, pending an appeal. Voters will select potential replacements from three candidates in the same election. Fort Myers Beach residents are scheduled to head to the polls Tuesday Nov. 4, but some of what they vote for won't count. Circuit Judge Kyle Cohen ruled a "stay" Monday morning on the recall results related to Town Council member John King, meaning King may lose on Tuesday but gets to remain in office unless an appeals court rules differently. Here's what to know. How many years ago was last successful Lee County, Fla. recall? As originally planned, residents were to head to the polls for a historic recall election that could reshape the town’s leadership and set a precedent not seen in Lee County for nearly 75 years. The election ordered in September by Chief Judge J. Frank Porter of the 20th Judicial Circuit was to determine whether King and council member Karen Woodson would be removed from office following months of controversy, legal wrangling and community division. If successful, the recall would mark the first time an elected official in Lee County has been ousted by voters since the mid-20th century. A rare political reckoning in Southwest Florida's Fort Myers Beach The recall effort began this year after Woodson and King supported high-rise development projects on Estero Island, including a controversial plan to build Seagate company's condominiums on the 10-acre site of the iconic Red Coconut RV Park, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. The town’s planning board had recommended denying the project, citing conflicts with Fort Myers Beach’s comprehensive plan — a document long held sacred by residents for preserving the island’s character. Opponents of the council members accused them of violating Florida’s open meetings Sunshine Law, accepting unreported gifts from developers and improperly involving themselves in staffing decisions. Emergency hearing in Fort Myers Beach, Florida recall election Woodson and King have denied any wrongdoing as they've worked social media, Town Council meetings and other venues while filing lawsuits to try to stymie the recall election. Cohen dismissed a Woodson suit last month but not King's because of a technicality because he felt one of the misfeasance and malfeasance items for the latter in the recall material was not specific enough. Due to that, Cohen then on Monday morning ruled on the stay while appeal courts take up the matter. Woodson recall FMB election results would count, but not King's While Tuesday's results for King won't count under the stay, they will relate to Woodson, Cohen said. Elected by a 51-vote margin receiving 26% of ballots cast in a four-way 2022 race, King appeared at last week's Lee County legislative delegation meeting to decry the recall election and get laws changed: "Under this current statute, a 15% minority can force an election on the majority of voters. This minority rule amounted to less than 600 of the over 3,400 voters. (Now), I am in some sort of limbo, as whether I remain on the recall ballot." Legal milestones and election mechanics in Lee County, Florida Under Florida law, elected municipal officials may be removed by voters if a sufficient number of verified petitions are submitted. In this case, more than 500 Fort Myers Beach residents signed recall petitions — 561 for King and 564 for Woodson — representing more than 15% of the town’s registered voters. Neither council member resigned by a Sept. 9 deadline, triggering the next phase: A court-ordered election. Porter’s ruling helped lead to Nov. 4 as the official date, falling within the required 30-to-60-day window following the petition verification. Inclusion: Making SWFL beach accessible: Tourism office, leaders team for free wheelchairs Fort Myers Beach's dual decision in SWFL: Recall and replacement In a unique twist, voters were to not only decide whether to recall Woodson and King but select potential replacements in the same election, according to the Lee County elections office. For now, if Woodson is removed, the candidate with the highest number of ballots would fill her spot. If an appeals court eventually decides the King recall should count, and he loses on votes, then the person receiving the second highest would take that slot. Three candidates have qualified for the opportunity to serve on the council should the recall succeed: Beach residents Tom Brady, Rebecca Link and Ed Rood. The election will be held at the Oaks Recreation Center, 2731 Oak St., for Beach precincts 309 and 321. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. More than 500 votes have been submitted by mail by Thursday, according to court records Possible council replacement: Tom Brady, but not the NFL guy An island resident since 2018, Brady, a retired global tech executive and U.S. Army veteran, has focused on preserving town character, supporting small businesses and ensuring responsible development. He has led Protect FMB, a civic group that challenged Seagate. He's emphasizing transparency, environmental protection and a shift from hurricane recovery to long-term sustainability, with a vision of the island as a resilient, family-friendly community where residents come first. The Seagate project "is deeply concerning: Its height and scale are out of character with the surrounding neighborhood, and the public benefits are minimal at best," said Brady, whose more than $5,500 in contributions come from civic groups and includes donors from technology and education sectors. “Together, we can move from recovery to renewal — protecting our island, preserving our future and building a stronger Fort Myers Beach for all who call it home.” Rebecca Link is another candidate to fill potential FMB vacancy A Beach property owner since 2008 and a county government committee member, business owner Link, who lost two homes in Hurricane Ian, touts decades of experience in regulatory consulting and project management through her firm, K12 Consultants Inc. As she has gone door-to-door, her campaign, which has raised more than $3,500 in contributions, has focused on responsible development, preserving island character and promoting transparency and community engagement. "Residents have been clear for decades that they want Fort Myers Beach to stay true to its comprehensive plan — protecting our island’s character, scale and future. That’s what I stand for, and that’s what I’ll fight to protect," Link said. "Residents shouldn’t shoulder all the burdens while developers reap all the rewards. I welcome and encourage thoughtful growth. (What) matters is that development happens responsibly, with protections in place for our neighborhoods, infrastructure." A pro-development candidate, Ed Rood is vying for possible seat A self-described pro-development candidate who has been against having the special election, Rood, the only one of the three managing his own race, has been been campaigning heavily on social media and with signs calling the recall a "charade" and saying he wants "to move Fort Myers Beach forward. I say what I think," Rood said. "Always have. Everyone that knows me, knows, (and) I don’t get emotional about subjects and votes." Rood leads in fundraising with more than $9,500 in monetary contributions, driven by the dollar flow from developers and similar or related organizations, such as London Bay Homes, which has been a major Estero Island builder with more proposals ahead for the Town to consider. After differently composed councils had rejected Rood's dune walkover on protected land in 2018 and 2020, a newer 2023 council with Woodson and King on board backed it, despite environmental concerns from residents and wildlife advocates. Financial, political fallout in Lee County's Fort Myers Beach The recall election itself is expected to cost Fort Myers Beach taxpayers about $20,000. Additionally, the town council approved funding for the legal defense of Woodson and King, further burdening residents with the financial implications of the political turmoil. Last week, King estimated the cost for Beach residents at $46,000. Had the council members resigned, the remaining members could have appointed replacements, avoiding the cost and complexity of a special election. Instead, the town finds itself navigating uncharted waters, with the potential for a significant shift in leadership amid ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian. SW Florida's Fort Myers Beach: A coastal town at a crossroads The recall election coincides with a period of transformation for Fort Myers Beach. Just as the new Town Hall officially opened its doors last month at 6231 Estero Blvd. — replacing the previous building destroyed by Ian — the community is grappling with questions about its future identity, development priorities and governance. The Estero Island Shore Protection Project, which recently completed its dredging phase, aims to restore nearly 7 miles of eroded shoreline and bolster storm resilience. Yet, the debate over high-rise development and the integrity of the town’s comprehensive plan has exposed deep divisions among residents and Woodson and King supporters. Ian: What will it take in funding sources for the Fort Myers Beach pier to be ready in 2027? FM Beach voters may weigh in on more than just 2 seats With Fort Myers Beach recently marking the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, the Nov. 4 election offers voters a chance to weigh in not only on the fate of two council members but on the broader direction of their community. The recall election is likely to leave a lasting imprint on Fort Myers Beach politics. It has already galvanized civic engagement, sparked legal challenges and prompted reflection on the balance between growth and preservation. For voters, Tuesday’s decision is about more than two council seats — it’s about the kind of town they want Fort Myers Beach to be.
