The primary race for Cape Coral City Council District 1 includes four candidates. Cape Coral voters may cast a ballot in every council race in both the Primary and General Election no matter where they live in the city or their party of record.<\/p>\n
Candidate name: Sean Hartman <\/p>\n
Age: 35<\/p>\n
Education\/degrees: Bachelors in Integrated Studies, FGCU; Associates in Arts, FSW, 2013 <\/p>\n
Occupation and place of employment: Customer Service, Lee Health <\/p>\n
Time in the district in which you are running\/years of residency: 5 <\/p>\n
Business experience applicable to the office you are seeking: Founder of the Cape Coral Watchdog, which reported on City Council operations. <\/p>\n
Political Experience\/offices held: None <\/p>\n
Civic\/Community involvement: Former chair, Community Development Block Grant Citizen\u2019s Advisory Board <\/p>\n
Family: <\/p>\n
Military Experience: <\/p>\n
Website: <\/p>\n
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Candidate name: David Newton<\/p>\n
Age: 54<\/p>\n
Education: East Hampton High School <\/p>\n
Occupation and place of employment: Retired<\/p>\n
Time in the district in which you are running for: Over six years<\/p>\n
Business experience: Police officer \u2014\u00a0worked with members of the community, helping them through difficult situations while listening carefully, showing empathy, and treating everyone with respect; learned the importance of gathering all the facts before making decisions that could significantly impact someone\u2019s life. Was actively involved in the police union, serving on two committees, including the contract negotiation committee for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the sixth-largest police department in the nation. <\/p>\n
Political Experience\/ offices held: None<\/p>\n
Civic\/ Community involvement: As a police officer, I was deeply involved in the community, regularly visiting schools, participated in toy drives, community center events, and supported numerous charitable organizations. Since retiring and moving to Cape Coral, my wife and I have continued giving back including tree-planting projects in parks, charity events, and fundraising. <\/p>\n
Family: I have an amazing wife and two wonderful daughters.<\/p>\n
Military Experience: I served 7 years in the USAF. I served during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. I also participated in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.<\/p>\n
Website: daveforcape26.com<\/a><\/p>\n *** *** ***<\/p>\n Candidate name: Thomas James Senatore<\/p>\n Age: 67<\/p>\n Education\/degrees: AA Broward Community College, BA Florida Atlantic University, Paralegal Studies, w\/Honors FDU, NJ<\/p>\n Occupation and place of employment: Retired, still acting as Broker of record and owner for Bella Casa Services LLC<\/p>\n Community involvement: Past Grand Knight \u2013 Knights of Columbus Council 7131, St Andrew Church<\/p>\n Time in the district in which you are running\/years of residency: 7 years<\/p>\n Business experience applicable to the office you are seeking: Real estate broker\u2019s license with related licenses and certifications. Payroll, budgets, contracts, managed employees, coordinated large group events. Provided instruction and consulting to groups as many as 6,000 in attendance, ran educational courses, published a book on investing, created real estate training programs for other large entities.<\/p>\n Political Experience\/offices held: Was involved in Student Government while in college all four years; first time running for any local office<\/p>\n Civic\/Community involvement: Life Member 1st Marine Division Association; Member of the American Legion Post 90; Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree and 4th degree, Past Grand Knight; 2020 Knights of Columbus Field Agent; RPCRA Leadership Academy Graduate; helped to raise over $17k for the Cape Coral Caring Center 2018; helped with permitting approval and design for the Community Fridge; in my eighth year as a Cape Coral Police Volunteer, currently the unit supervisor and senior trainer; second term as Commissioner with Planning and Zoning, currently serving as the Vice Chair; second term on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, currently serving as the Vice Chair;; 2026 Chairperson for Professional Standards for the RPCRA, over eight years on the committee<\/p>\n Family:<\/p>\n Military Experience: USMC 1981-1985, honorably Discharged<\/p>\n