Fernandez captures 4,817 votes to retain Temple Terrace seat
Two challengers displaced term-limited incumbents as nearly 17,000 residents cast ballots for three open council positions.
By Omar Bennett ·
Alison Fernandez won re-election to the Temple Terrace City Council with 4,817 votes. The incumbent secured 28.50 percent of the total ballots cast, outpacing four challengers for one of three open seats.
Karen Michalski and Amber Treat filled the remaining vacancies. Michalski received 4,258 votes, or 25.20 percent, while Treat garnered 3,275 votes, or 19.38 percent. These unofficial results came from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.
The election replaced Councilmembers Gil Schisler and James Chambers, both of whom departed due to term limits. Five candidates competed for the three available positions. The other contenders were Ryan Gessman and Eugene Papantoniou.
Gessman finished with 2,602 votes, representing 15.40 percent of the total. Papantoniou placed last with 1,948 votes, or 11.53 percent. The county reported nearly 17,000 total ballots cast for the race.
Temple Terrace utilizes a council-manager government structure. The City Council acts as the policy-making body, comprising the mayor and four council members. This board appoints a city manager to handle daily operations and oversee city departments.
This administrative model differs from strong-mayor systems, such as the one in Tampa. Elected officials represent residents while reviewing city activities and establishing community policies.
Source: Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
