John King announces he won’t seek re-election to Town of Fort Myers Beach Council
Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilmember John King, who faced a recall election last year which led to a protracted legal dispute, announced today that he will not seek re-election to his seat this November. King made the announcement on his Facebook page.
King’s four-year term is up this November.
In his announcement, King cited the planned retirement of his wife Chris as one of the reasons for his retirement. He also said he had accomplished his goals.
King made his announcement on the last day that candidates can qualify to run in this November’s Town of Fort Myers Beach Council election. Three seats will be up for election.
King, along with Councilmember Karen Woodson, faced a recall election last November in which current Councilmember Rebecca Link received the most votes, followed closely by Protect FMB President Tom Brady.
King and Woodson, with funding approved by the Town Council, filed a challenge to the recall process in Lee County Circuit Court. A judge denied Woodson’s claims but invalidated the recall petitions for King’s seat for being too vague. King and Woodson have since filed personal defamation suits against the chairs of the recall committees, Ray Murphy and Bill Veach.
There will be five candidates seeking three seats this November on the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council. Link will be seeking re-election for a four-year term. Councilmember John McLean, who was appointed by Town Council to fill the former seat of Jim Atterholt in February, is seeking a new four-year term. Brady, Local Planning Agency Chair Anita Cereceda, and Local Planning Agency member Edward Schoonover are also seeking one of the three seats up for election.
To reach Nathan Mayberg , please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com