Gardens election could be decided without voting

The makeup of the Palm Beach Gardens City Council could be determined in the next two weeks without a single vote being cast.

Three seats are open for an election scheduled for March 14. Three people, including Mayor Chelsea Reed, have opened campaign accounts and begun raising money to run. But so far none have drawn challengers.

Former Councilmember Bert Premuroso, a banker, has opened a campaign to run for the seat of term-limited Mark Marciano in Group 1. He has raised $20,250 through Nov. 3.

Dana Middleton, chairwoman of the PGA Corridor Association, is seeking to replace term-limited Vice Mayor Rachelle Litt in Group 5. She has raised $19,455.

Reed, elected mayor by her colleagues last year, is seeking a second term in Group 3.  She has raised $10,586 through Nov. 3.

Gardens council members are limited to two, three-year terms under rules enacted by voters in two hotly contested elections in 2014 and 2018. 

Premuroso, senior vice president at Valley National Bank, served on the council from 2008 to 2017. He is a graduate of Florida State University.

Middleton, a 16-year city resident, is on the board of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and has been chairwoman of the PGA Corridor Association since 2017. 

The period to qualify by petition closed Nov. 4 with no candidates submitting signatures. Now candidates wishing to qualify by making a payment must file by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

The city did not have an election in March 2022 after no one filed to challenge Carl Woods and Marcie Tinsley. Its last contested election was in March 2021 when Tinsley defeated Rob Nanfro.

If no other candidates come forward, the three will be elected without voters casting ballots in March.

Reach Joel by email at joel@ongardens.org

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