Court Rules in Favor of King
On Monday, Judge Kyle Cohen ruled in favor of Fort Myers Beach Town Councilman John King, allowing him to maintain his council seat despite a pending recall vote. This decision comes as voters prepare to decide on the recall of both King and Councilwoman Karen Woodson on Tuesday. If the recall is successful, voters will also choose from candidates Tom Brady, Rebecca Link, and Ed Rood.
Court Decision on Recall Election
Judge Cohen’s ruling asserts that King can remain in his position until the Appeals Court makes a decision regarding an appeal filed by former Council member Bill Veach, who co-chairs the recall committee. Veach’s appeal challenges Cohen’s previous ruling that deemed the petition to recall King as “legally insufficient.”
Details of the Recall Vote
- Date: Tuesday, from 7 AM to 7 PM at Bay Oaks.
- Current registered voters: Approximately 3,400.
- Votes cast by mail as of Monday: 645.
Cohen previously found that one of the allegations against King was vague and did not satisfy the criteria of Florida’s recall laws. Earlier claims suggested that King had improperly fired contracted employees, which Cohen ruled was within the council’s authority.
Accusations Against Woodson and King
Both King and Woodson face allegations of violating the Sunshine Law and accepting gifts from developers, which they vehemently deny. In response to the accusations, they have initiated defamation lawsuits against Veach and former Mayor Ray Murphy. While taxpayer money covers the legal expenses related to the recall, both King and Woodson are responsible for the costs associated with their defamation cases.
As the community awaits the outcome of the election, Woodson has not made a clear statement on whether she would resign if the recall vote goes against her or continue serving while the appeal is pending. Both Council seats are set to be contested again in November 2026.
