Tiseo re-elected on thin margin to Charlotte County Commission

PORT CHARLOTTE — Joe Tiseo came out on top in a close GOP primary race for District 5 of the Charlotte County Commission.

Joe Tiseo slipped by challenger David Kesselring 9,806 to 9,359 when the unofficial results were released Tuesday night.

Kesselring, a computer repair business owner, mounted a campaign to challenge Tiseo based on small government values at every level.

Tiseo, himself a retired contractor, leaned on his record in office from championing the Family Services Center on Gibraltar Avenue to passing density limits on West County construction.

Speaking with The Daily Sun late Tuesday, Tiseo acknowledged that he faced a “long, hard campaign” and was happy to see the voters return him to office.

“I feel honored and privileged to serve another term as Charlotte County commissioner,” he said after seeing the election results at the Old County Courthouse in Punta Gorda.

Kesselring told The Daily Sun hours earlier, speaking outside a polling station at Port Charlotte Middle School, that he had been optimistic about his chances.

“I feel like everyone has a chance,” he said, speaking to other challenger candidates going up against incumbents on Tuesday.

Tiseo had a roughly 3-to-1 advantage in fundraising heading into the GOP primary, with roughly $31,000 in donations.

Tiseo’s victory was closest of several contests throughout the night that largely saw incumbent GOP officeholders win out over challengers with a declared intent to rock the local establishment.