On Monday morning, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted to certify the results of the recall election for council members Karen Woodson and John King. Woodson made a statement (see below) which was followed by her departure from the meeting and the swearing in of Rebecca Link
Link received 9 more votes than Tom Brady in the recall election. Over 60% of the voters chose to recall both Woodson and King. King is able to retain his seat while an Appeals Court considers an appeal from Bill Veach to overturn Judge Kyle Cohen’s ruling that a portion of King’s recall petition was flawed. There is no indication when the court will take up the case. King’s seat is up for election in 2026.
Both Woodson and King denied all the allegations made against them by the recallers. And, Woodson and King have filed defamation lawsuits against former Mayor Ray Murphy and former council member Bill Veach who are co-chairs of the recall committee. Veach and Murphy alleged Woodson and King violated the Sunshine Law and accepted gifts from developers with business coming before the Town Council. They did not provide any proof of the allegations but the recall statute does not require them to.
Woodson served 3 years of her 4-year term after receiving the most votes in her election run three years ago. The seat she turned over to Link is also up in 2026.
Here’s the full text of Woodson’s statement Monday morning. After she read the statement, she hugged her former colleagues on the Town Council and left the building.
“This morning, as we certify the recall election results, the outcome is clear. Although the recall was baseless , the voters have spoken.
I stand before you, disappointed that my service to this community has come to an end but even more so I am filled with gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished since Hurricane Ian.
“First, thank you—each and every one of you—who stood by me through this long, ill-founded and often exhausting process. You volunteered, you made calls, you donated, you showed up at meetings, you had conversations with your neighbors, and you defended the truth even when it wasn’t easy. Your support has meant the world to me.
“I have always believed that leadership is not about holding a title—it’s about values. This recall was rooted in misinformation and political opportunism, but we met it with integrity, facts, and hope. I am proud of that. I am proud of the campaign we ran—positive, forward-looking, grounded in truth, honesty and service.
“And even though today marks the end of my time in office, it does not mark the end of my commitment to those values or to the people of this community who want to make us better.
To those who voted against the recall, thank you for your trust and support. A healthy community requires open dialogue, and I hope in time we can continue those conversations without the cloud of political maneuvering hanging over them.
“As I step aside, I do so with a full heart, knowing that I gave everything I had to this role. I am confident that the foundations we built together—fairness, transparency, compassion, and a willingness to listen to all sides—will continue to shape the future.
Fort Myers Beach is my home. I will continue to serve, to advocate, and to fight for the wellbeing of our businesses and community in every way I can. My role has changed but my commitment does not.
Let’s continue moving forward.”
Do not know Ms Woodson but her remarks were very mature and shows she is a class act.