Ruane, Sandelli, Mann prevail in County Commission races
In an election where more than 80% of eligible voters turned out, one newcomer and two incumbents prevailed in the countywide races for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners – Kevin Ruane, Ray Sandelli and Frank Mann.
The county commission newcomer and Sanibel mayor, Ruane, effectively captured the District 1 seat by beating Michael Dreikorn in the Republican primary. With only a write-in challenge in the General Election, Ruane earned 97% of the electorate (287,618 votes) with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) student Kelsey Hotchkiss receiving 3% as the write-in. Ruane replaces outgoing commissioner John Manning of Cape Coral, who did not seek re-election. The district encompasses Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island and parts of the Cape.
Ruane said his focus on the board would be water quality and “utilizing our tax dollars properly.”
Ruane said he would push for more support of state infrastructure projects related to improving water quality. He cited the state’s Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir as one such project and the stormwater treatment component of the C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir as another part of the Everglades restoration plan that was needed.
“Good water quality affects all of our jobs, impacts tourism and real estate values,” Ruane said.
“I’m very concerned about making sure we do all we can to come out of this recession.”
In District 3, Sandelli (R-Bonita Springs) successfully defended his office against challenger Todd Truax (D-Bonita Springs) with 61.69% (220,820 votes) of the electorate. Sandelli had been appointed to the board by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019 to fill the seat of the late commissioner Larry Kiker. Sandelli previously beat back a Republican primary challenge from Village of Estero Trustee Nick Batos in August. The district covers Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, Estero and part of Fort Myers.
Sandelli could not be immediately reached for comment.
In District 5, long-time rep Mann (R-Alva) earned 64% (231,187 votes) of the electorate to win his fourth straight term and fifth altogether on the Board of Commissioners with a victory over Pastor Juan Gonzalez (D-Lehigh Acres). Mann, who also served for years in the state legislature, handily won a Republican primary in August against Steven “Sonny” Haas. The district includes part of Fort Myers, Alva and Lehigh Acres.
“I’m looking forward to working with a new commission,” Mann said. “I think we’ve got a bright, environmentally sensitive board that is coming together and I think it bodes well for the future of Lee County.”
Mann said the evening was “tempered a little bit” for him personally as his brother George T. “Pat” Mann Jr. lost his seat on the Lee County Mosquito Control Board after 26 years to William Burke.
All results are unofficial until certified.