Howell And Weitz Take Wins in High Springs, Scott Likely to Claim Sheriff’s Seat

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ High Springs will soon have a new face sitting on its commission after Chad Howell notched a solid victory over Julie Ann Tapia-Ruano for Seat 4 in the Nov. 5, 2024, City Commission race. Howell picked up 2,432 votes (63.66 percent) to Tapia-Ruano’s 1,388 votes (36.34 percent). Howell and Tapia-Ruano were vying for a seat being vacated by Commissioner Byran Williams. Williams, a local pastor, has served as commissioner off and on numerous times over the last 24 years. Howell, 44 years old, relocated to High Springs in 2018, has been married for more than 22 years and has two daughters. By day, Howell serves as a supervisor of the Criminal Investigations Division at the Alachua Police Department.

Incumbent Commissioner Katherine Weitz beat out Sue Weller for Seat 5 on the High Springs Commission as 2,198 voters (57.90 percent) pulled the lever for Weitz while Weller garnered 1,598 votes (42.10 percent). Weller has previously served on the High Springs commission and more recently served as the liaison between the City of High Springs and the High Springs Chamber of Commerce. Weitz is currently serving as Mayor. Weitz and Howell are scheduled to be sworn into their seats at the next commission meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2024.

Voters in High Springs also approved four Charter amendments. Amendment number 1 allows the City to update its corporate boundary in accordance with Florida law. Amendment number 2 would allow the electronic advertisement of public notices rather than in the newspaper, provided that such notices are placed five weeks in advance of the hearing. Amendment number 3 updates the oath of office for commissioners and charter officers to ensure that no person convicted of a felony or found to be mentally incompetent may run for office until restoration of civil rights or removal of disability. Amendment number 3 also permits adjustments in the City’s budget and requires the City Manager to inform the commission when revenues are expected to be outpaced by appropriations. Amendment number 4 updates the names of public parks and also allows the City’s Sports Complex to be added to a list of public owned lands.

In the race for Alachua County Sheriff, political newcomer Chad Scott appears poised to finish on top by a margin of roughly 415 votes. Scott, a Democrat, challenged sitting Republican Sheriff Emery Gainey who was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) to finish out the term of Clovis Watson, Jr. Watson announced July 31, 2023 that he would resign effective Oct. 1, 2023 amid health concerns.

While a recount is ongoing, unofficial election data shows Scott garnering 62,757 votes (46.97 percent) over Gainey’s 62,342 votes (46.66 percent). A third candidate, Pamela Marshal-Koons, with no party affiliation, picked up 8,513 votes (6.37 percent). With the margin of victory at less than one-half of one percent, a recount is mandated by law. The Alachua County Canvassing Board began meeting Sunday morning and was scheduled to continue each morning until all ballots had been recounted, which could be as late as Thursday, Nov. 14.

If Scott is declared the winner, he will assume office in January 2025.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com