Arserio, Simone Win Reelection in Margate

Mayor Antonio Arserio and Commissioner Joanne Simone were both reelected to the Margate City Commission seats.

By Bryan Boggiano

The results are in for the Margate City Commission elections, and both incumbents fended off their challengers.

Incumbent Mayor and Seat 3 Commissioner Antonio Arserio defeated registered nurse Theresa Booker and will serve a second term.

As of 11:00 p.m., Arserio received 8,308 votes or 57.43 percent. Booker received 6,158 votes or about 42.57 percent.

Through Nov. 3, Arserio’s campaign raised $110,811 and spent $40,117.90. Booker’s campaign raised $4,296 and spent $2,217.92.

Arserio was first elected to the commission in 2018. He became one of the youngest mayors in Broward County when he was appointed mayor.

During his first term, he focused on several initiatives, including strategic planning, expanding the public information office, increasing employee pay, and securing $2 million in payment from Tallahassee for infrastructure improvements.

For Seat 5, incumbent Commissioner Joanne Simone won over court-appointed ad litem Nina Culver.

The margin for the Seat 5 election was notably narrower.

Simone received 7,316 votes or about 53.08 percent. Culver received 6,733 votes, or approximately 46.92 percent.

According to finance reports, Simone’s campaign raised $44,897 and spent $36,319.44. Culver’s campaign raised $14,283.77 and spent $8,832.

Simone has served on the city commission since 2012. She serves on the community redevelopment agency, the employee trust fund board, and the Community Emergency Response Team.

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