Election 2026 | Question of the Week 3, District 1
Each week through the Primary, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question. In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response.
Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan races. Council members qualify in their respective districts but are elected at-large. This means all registered city voters may cast a ballot in each race regardless of where they live and the party to which they are affiliated, if any. This year’s Primary, on Aug. 18, features three Cape Coral City Council races: Mayor and the seats for District 1 and 6. District 4, with only two candidates, will be on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.
The candidates below are running for the District 1 Cape Coral City Council seat:
Question of the Week:
Should the city work to resolve the lease situation with the Cape Coral Rowing Club? If so, what do you propose??
• Sean Hartman
Yes. The only option it appears is to allow them to stay at Tropicana Park. We could revisit if safety issues become a legitimate concern, but experts seem to agree there is no serious safety issue for the rowers. I must say, though, that how the NWNA and boaters have been treated because of a different opinion is wrong. I respect the voices of EVERY resident, including boaters and NWNA residents who opposed the rowers taking that location. Their concerns matter just as much as the Rowing Club and their supporters.
• David Newton
Yes. I believe the city should work with the Cape Rowing Club to find a fair, long-term solution. Programs like this give young people opportunities to build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. They also bring families together and strengthen our community. We should bring the Rowing Club, city staff, and all stakeholders to the table to explore practical options that respect taxpayers while preserving this valuable program. My goal is to find common ground, not create conflict. When we work together with respect and a shared purpose, we can protect community assets and give our children every opportunity to succeed.
• Thomas James Senatore
Yes. The city entered into this agreement years ago, and I believe it should honor the commitments it made. Changing course because of pressure from a small group undermines trust in local government. I will work to ensure the Cape Coral Rowing Club receives the space and opportunity that was originally promised while maintaining transparency and ensuring the agreement continues to benefit the community as a whole.
• Tom Shadrach
The issue here is that new members of the council need to be selected to get five votes to allow the Rowing Club at Tropicana Park. The issues of the Northwest Association are solvable. Safety concern has been debunked, and the aesthetics of the boat storage can be managed with landscaping. Moving the club to Crystal Lake is a bad option, you might as well move it to Punta Gorda, it’s closer to Crystal Lake than half of Cape Coral.