Minshew Enters Fernandina Mayor’s Race Following Failed Recall Tied to Paid Parking Vote

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH - Fresh off surviving a recall effort tied to Fernandina Beach’s controversial paid parking program, Commissioner Genece Minshew is now aiming higher— filing to run for mayor in the 2026 election.

Minshew’s candidacy comes months after she and Commissioner Tim Poynter were the targets of a citizen-led recall effort tied to their votes supporting the city’s controversial downtown paid parking program.

As previously reported by the Fernandina Observer, that effort was ultimately blocked in court, with a judge ruling that policy disagreements over paid parking were not sufficient grounds for removal from office.

City Clerk Caroline Best confirmed Wednesday that Minshew submitted the required paperwork to have her name placed on the mayoral ballot.

Under Fernandina Beach’s charter, the mayor is elected by voters from among eligible sitting commissioners provided they are not also up for reelection to their commission seats. In the 2026 cycle, Minshew, Commissioner Tim Poynter, and Commissioner Joyce Tuten are eligible to run.

Minshew, who has served on the commission during a period marked by debates over city spending, infrastructure improvements, and the implementation of paid parking, has been a consistent supporter of the program as a revenue tool for the city. That position helped trigger the recall campaign led by the political group Recall FB 2026, which argued the issue should have been decided by voters.

The mayoral race will be decided by plurality vote during the city’s general election, with the top vote-getter becoming mayor. The candidate finishing second is appointed vice mayor under the city charter.

If only one eligible commissioner files for the position, no election is required and that candidate is appointed mayor at the post-election organizational meeting. If no commissioners file, the City Commission selects both the mayor and vice mayor. The deadline for either Poynter or Tuten to run for Mayor is May 15.

The mayor and vice mayor serve two-year terms aligned with the municipal election cycle, with current officeholders remaining in place until the post-election organizational meeting.