Voters in Key West chose three new city commissioners this week, rejecting one incumbent and choosing two newcomers for open seats.
Richard Payne, a retired Monroe County circuit judge, defeated Tony Yaniz by an almost 2-1 margin. Yaniz had served one four-year term on the City Commission.
Payne said he would focus on keeping down property taxes and oppose paying for consultants and surveys to find out what citizens want.
"We can figure that out by talking to our neighbors and our constituents," he said. Payne added that he would work on one of the city's greatest challenges: affordable housing.
"You're going to have to preserve what you have and you're going to have to build," he said.
Margaret Romero, who has run for mayor three times, won public office on her fourth attempt. She defeated Mike Mongo in the day's closest race, filling the seat held by Teri Johnston. Attorney Sam Kaufman defeated former Mayor Morgan McPherson for the seat held by Mark Rossi.
In an off-year election with 30 percent voter turnout, the only citywide races were for the Utility Board. That's the governing body for Keys Energy Services, which provides power from the Seven Mile Bridge to Key West. Board members Mona Clark and Charlie Bradford were voted in for another term. Firefighter Steve Wells beat two other candidates to take 50.2 percent of the vote and win an open seat on the board.
