Palm Beach’s March municipal election was one of its most divisive in recent years, as outside political spending and negative campaigning shaped a closely watched Town Council race.
Incumbent Lew Crampton secured a fifth two-year term on the council March 10, defeating former Architectural Commission member John David Corey for the Group 1 seat after a contentious campaign season.
Crampton, a South End resident and the council’s president pro tempore, won 58% of the vote to Corey’s 42%, carrying six of the town’s seven precincts. Turnout reached 39% of the town’s 7,635 registered voters, slightly below the 44% recorded in the 2024 municipal election.
“I’ve got to thank folks in the South End for a major part of the win, but I am really happy to be back on the council,” Crampton told the Palm Beach Daily News on election night.
While Palm Beach elections are typically low-key, the 2026 contest stood out for its tone and the involvement of political action committees, which drew scrutiny from residents and candidates.
Crampton was backed by Palm Beach Neighbors PAC, a resident-led political action committee formed in December. Corey, meanwhile, received support from Fight Overdevelopment, a federally registered super PAC that spent money on the race.
Corey said during the campaign that he had no communication or coordination with the super PAC. Still, the group’s involvement prompted a local election complaint alleging it had violated state law by spending more than $5,000 without registering locally.
The presence of PACs — particularly a federally registered group — was unusual for a municipal race in Palm Beach and became a central issue in the campaign.
Some voters expressed concern about the influence of outside money and the increasingly negative tone of the race.
“I’m concerned about the involvement of PACs and unidentified donors,” resident Christine Watkins said after casting her ballot on Election Day.
Another voter described the campaign as the “nastiest” he had seen in town, citing attack ads and divisive messaging.
Despite the contentious race, Crampton pointed to his record on traffic, parking and redevelopment as key to his reelection.
“This election was really about how to manage change and whether or not our whole council has done a great job,” he said March 10 after his win. “It’s not about me. It’s about the council, and how the town is.”
Corey, a real estate portfolio manager and longtime advocate for open, walkable spaces, campaigned on concerns about overdevelopment and the direction the town is heading, emphasizing a focus on residents’ quality of life.
“My most significant achievement has been creating the ‘Residents First!’ platform to highlight and prioritize the well-being of our residents,” he said during a Feb. 23 debate organized by the Palm Beach Civic Association. “I am committed to bringing more positive change through innovative ideas, renewed energy and active engagement.”
Crampton was sworn in April 14 alongside council members Nicki McDonald and Bridget Moran. Newcomer McDonald was elected unopposed in December to the Group 2 seat and succeeds former Council President Bobbie Lindsay, who stepped down after five terms. Moran also was unopposed, winning a second term in the Group 3 seat.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach election season shaped by outside spending, hot rhetoric
Reporting by Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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