Gladwell Wins St. Andrews PSD Runoff

Jeff Gladwell won the runoff for the St. Andrews Public Service District Tuesday with 48 percent of the vote.

Some last minute campaigning may have been the deciding factor in his favor on a day when only 1.4 percent of registered eligible voters went to the polls. Gladwell said when he visited one polling place at which no one had voted he walked across the street and started knocking on doors and asking people to vote. He won by 17 votes.

A total of 153 people cast ballots Tuesday, one of them declined to vote for anyone. Of the remaining ballots Gladwell got 73, John DeStefano - 56, Laura Toney - 9, Ceryl King - 4, Lashaunna Brown - 2, Callie Powell - 2, and Anthony Ferro - 1.

Election officials said John B. Johnston, III, withdrew himself from the race Monday afternoon. Signs were posted at polling places stating Johnston had withdrawn, but he still received 4 votes.

"I feel very fortunate and i certainly will do my best, and I appreciate those that cared enough about me and the district to come out and vote," Gladwell said.

All of the candidates in Tuesday's runoff election received 2 write-in votes during the general election on Nov. 6, tying for first place in a race for which no candidates appeared on the ballot.

Somewhat ironically, Gladwell said he had run unsuccessfully for the St. Andrews PSD before several years ago, and didn't realize it was on the ballot this year in time to file as a candidate.