7960936654?profile=originalSnapping a selfie of himself, Mayor Scott Singer enjoyed a safe celebration at home. Photo provided

By Mary Hladky

Mayor Scott Singer handily won re-election on March 17, trouncing repeat challenger Bernard Korn.

Singer captured 88.6% of the vote, while Korn drew 11.5%.

The outcome was never in doubt, and Singer declared victory about an hour after polls closed and the votes in 32 of 38 precincts had been tabulated. “I think it is safe to call this,” he said.

With the election coming in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, Singer practiced what he has been preaching on social media to city residents: Stay safe by staying at home.

Instead of the usual election night ritual of gathering with supporters at a restaurant, Singer’s election watch party, broadcast on Facebook, was held at his home with his wife, Bella, and children Daniel and Rachel sitting with him on a couch. “Re-elect Mayor Scott Singer” campaign signs festooned the wall.

“I know this seems a little weird, but we are in a surreal world,” he said, holding a selfie stick to capture the action.

As supporters joined in electronically, Singer thanked them for their efforts on his behalf.

“I am so grateful and humbled for the tremendous support for my continued service to our residents,” he said. “Thank you to all who share a vision of working together to get things done. We need it now more than ever.”

Singer, 43, an attorney and businessman, was elected to the City Council in 2014. He was serving as deputy mayor when Mayor Susan Haynie was arrested on public corruption charges in April 2018 and suspended from office. Singer was named interim mayor.

Four months later, he won a special election to complete Haynie’s term of office. Haynie, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, now is expected to stand trial in July.

In the special election, Singer captured 63% of the vote, while Korn, 65, a real estate broker who raised almost no money and campaigned on stopping corruption in the city, got 3%. Activist Al Zucaro won 34%.

With Zucaro since stepping away from politics and his BocaWatch blog, Korn fared slightly better in the March election.

Singer will serve a three-year term and can seek reelection again in 2023.

Council members Andrea O’Rourke and Andy Thomson also were up for reelection, but they drew no opposition and were automatically returned to office.

“We need everyone to isolate,” Singer told supporters. “Stay home, please. We will pull through this together.” 

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