Nate Kilton had 69.25% of the vote.
After months of campaigning and two elections, Nate Kilton won the open City of Plant City Commission seat.
The runoff election was held Tuesday, May 3, a month after the first election on Tuesday, April 5. Kilton ran against David Cook.
"It's the end of the beginning," Kilton said at his watch party at The Corner Store. "I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and get ready for the next step."
Kilton is a businessman in the Plant City community and owns Sedita Kilton Life & Wealth Management LLC and Sedita Kilton & Company, Certified Public Accountants, PL. He is a certified financial planner, a certified public accountant and a co-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer.
He is also involved in multiple organizations throughout Plant City, including the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, GracePoint Church and the Economic Development Corp.
His platform included initiatives to support economic development in Plant City and uniting residents along racial lines.
"How can we continue the discussion in those areas," Kilton said. "I'm looking forward to it. I really respect everyone on the Commission, the city staff, the wonderful city manager."
Kilton found out about his win while he was still at City Hall under his campaign tent. He was met with an applause by supporters when he entered The Corner Store.
Because no candidate had 51% of the votes in the first election on April 5, the top two candidates had to participate in the runoff election May 3. Kilton led the April 5 election with 935 votes, 49.84% of the vote, and David Cook took second place with 554 votes, 29.53% of the vote. Ricardo Coronado had 382 votes, 20.46% of the votes.
David Cook served in the United States Marine Corps for over 20 years before retiring in 1994. He is a former law enforcement officer with the Lakeland Police Department. His platform included initiatives to protect the homeless and focus on the youth through a Police Club Athletic League and a millennial entrepreneurship club.
Ricky Coronado, a local pastor, ran in the April 5 election. Through his work as a pastor he is involved with Marshall Middle School’s Gentleman’s Quest Club and the Everyday Blessings foster home based out of Thonotosassa. He wanted to focus on the youth in Plant City and make the Commission seat more accessible.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
