Candidate withdraws

July 25, 2013

Gordon R. Ultsch, Ph.D., has withdrawn from the mayoral primary." I have decided to withdraw from the mayor's race in Cape Coral. While I have no doubt that I could do the job well, it is clear to me that campaigning and fund-raising are not a part of my world, but are necessary to be elected to office," he said in a prepared statement.Remaining candidates for mayor are Daniel "Dan" Ashby, Alan "AJ" Boyd, David P. Carr. Vincent A. Cummings, Marni Lin Sawicki and incumbent John J. Sullivan.Running in District 1, also on the primary ballot, are James "Jim" Burch, Steven L. Golub, David R. ...

Early voting wraps up today; election Tuesday

November 2, 2012

Today is the last day to cast a ballot via Early Voting.Five polling sites will be open from to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those who would like to cast a ballot in advance of Tuesday's crowded ballot.Be forewarned, however: Long lines may to be to blame for a possible decline in early voting numbers.Some have seen waits of two hours or more and have had trouble finding parking, especially in downtown Fort Myers.Subsequently, it has sent the early voting numbers down from what they were four years ago, officials said.It has also shown the popularity of early voting, although Sharon Harrington ...

Three-way race for Mack’s old congressional seat

November 2, 2012

A former conservative talk show host, a General Motors exec and a software programmer are seeking to fill the Congressional seat left vacant by Connie Mack's Senate run.Trey Radel, who beat a loaded field in the GOP primary in August; Democrat Jim Roach, who hasn't been afraid to listen to voters of all persuasions; and Brandon M. Smith, who is running without party affiliation, face off in the Nov. 6 election for the District 19 seat.* Trey RadelAge: 41Residence: Fort MyersOccupation: BusinessmanIt was his familiarity as a former reporter and talk show host that helped drive him to ...

Hart, Chandler vie for tax collector

November 2, 2012

A retired police officer/chief and long-time agency employee and a certified tax auditor are going head-to-head for Lee County Tax Collector on Nov. 6.James Chandler, who is unaffiliated, is challenging Republican Larry Hart, who was appointed in June to replace Catherine Curtis, who died in April.* James ChandlerAge: 55Residence: Cape CoralOccupation: Tax auditorJames Chandler asks voters to consider his credentials and his belief the tax collector's office isn't running the way it should."I have accounting, finance and auditing experience. I know how to handle money," Chandler said. ...

Early voting kicks off today

October 26, 2012

After months of watching campaign ads, hearing politician promises on TV and reading endorsements, the time to make a decision has arrived.And if you're work schedule makes it difficult to get to the polls on Nov. 6, don't worry. Early voting kicks off today in Lee County.And for the first time, you can even vote for president after church on Sunday.Early voting takes place daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from now until next Saturday, Nov. 3, at the five main pooling sites in Lee County, according to Sharon Harrington, supervisor of elections."I'm encouraged that all those going to or from ...

Bushong, Meister. Scott vying for sheriff

October 26, 2012

Incumbent Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott will face off against challengers Lee Bushong and Christian Meister in the general election on Nov. 6.Scott will represent the Republican party on the ballot, having crushed his sole party challenger - Tim Fisher - in the Aug. 14 primary election. Scott garnered about 74 percent of the votes, compared to Fisher's 26 percent.The primary was closed to Lee County voters registered as Republican.In the general election, Bushong is running with no party affiliation, while Meister hopes to unseat the two-term sheriff as a write-in candidate.- Lee ...