A tale of two town elections
Schwann, Smith headed for May runoff
by Brian DiTullio

CAREFREE – The Carefree election came down to just a few votes as hopeful candidates waited until Friday afternoon to receive final ballot counts.

The final count showed Bob Gemmill as the top vote getter with 641 votes. However, David Schwann and David Burnell Smith are headed for a runoff on May 15. Schwann received 562 votes and Smith received 532 votes.

Mayor Ed Morgan did not seek reelection.

To be elected, a candidate had to receive 50 percent of the turnout plus one vote–in this election, a minimum of 563 votes. According to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, 1,124 ballots were cast, 44 percent of Carefree’s 2,549 registered voters.

Schwann said he is looking forward to “a spirited campaign with Mr. Smith.”

Smith stated while he wishes he’d done a little better in the primary, he’s looking forward to running against Schwann in the May 15 election. Ballots for the general election will be mailed out on April 16.

“He’s gotta answer for his votes,” said Smith. “It’s better to run against one than to run against six.”

According to Karen Osborne, director of elections for Maricopa County, the slim margin that kept Schwann from being elected outright–one vote–does not trigger an automatic recount in this instance. However, Schwann could seek to force a recount through a court order, if he desired.

Schwann indicated on Friday that he trusted the ability of the elections board and said he would not be requesting a recount.

Voted in as councilmen were Greg Gardner with 623 votes, Wayne Fulcher 618 votes, Bob Coady 616 votes, Lloyd Meyer 596 votes, Glenn R. Miller 594 votes, and Lloyd Meyer 596 votes.

“I’m very honored to be going on the town council and looking forward to working with all the guys,” said Gemmill. “I’ll do the best job I can for the citizens of Carefree.”

Miller said he thought he did “pretty well” for not being an incumbent in this election.

Gardner told The Desert Advocate he was happy to be reelected but sad Schwann was not. “I’ll be supporting (Schwann) in the runoff,” he added.

Fulcher also stated he is throwing his support behind Schwann. “The people will clearly see that Mr. Schwann is a good man with a great track record on his accomplishments for Carefree. He is a man of integrity.”

Commenting on Smith, Fulcher said, “The people will see that he’s wrong for Carefree.”

Coady, however, threw his support behind Smith, stating his belief that Smith would be another independent voice on council, if elected.

“It would be nice to get a second on a motion,” said Coady, noting he often has been the sole voice of opposition to many council decisions.

Coady stated he was “honored” to be elected again, but expressed disappointment at the voter turnout, especially considering this was a mail‑in ballot election.

“This election was decided by those who didn’t vote,” said Coady. “I would’ve liked to see more people vote.”

The unofficial and incomplete count totals released March 13 led to a tense few days, as 377 votes remained uncounted, throwing most of the field into a “wait and see” attitude about declaring victory.

The initial returns, a total of 744 votes, showed the winning candidates, in order of most votes, as Gemmill, Gardner, Fulcher, Meyer, Schwann and Coady. However, only 20 votes separated Coady from the candidate below him, Gary Hayward.

Hayward finished with 510 votes. The other candidates, John Traynor and Jim Peirce, received 510 and 417 votes, respectively.

Carefree Town Council canvassed the election on March 20 and the six candidates elected were awarded their certificates.

Hayward, Peirce and Trayner could not be reached for comment on the election.