Palm Bay voters will choose between candidates for two City Council seats in the Aug. 18 primary election, with incumbents Kenny Johnson and Mike Jaffe each facing two opponents. The winner of each race will be determined by a majority vote, or the top two finishers will advance to the Nov. 3 general election if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote. Council members are elected at-large on staggered four-year terms, meaning every Palm Bay resident can vote for any candidate regardless of where they live in the city.
The City Council races are nonpartisan, but candidates have distinct backgrounds and priorities. Kenny Johnson, the incumbent for Seat 4, is an elder at Body of Christ Fellowship in Palm Bay and founder of a youth mentoring organization. He has served on the City Council since 2018 and previously held roles on local and state boards focused on transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Johnson’s campaign emphasizes public safety, education, and responsible use of taxpayer funds. His campaign email is [email protected], and his website is johnson4palmbay.com.
Mike Jaffe, the incumbent for Seat 5, faces challenges from Santa Isabel Wright and another candidate. Wright, a local activist, has campaigned against overdevelopment in Palm Bay, correcting a previous report that mistakenly said she worked in construction. Jaffe’s campaign has not yet released detailed policy positions, but his re-election bid is expected to focus on maintaining current city operations.
City council member salaries are set by the city charter at 20 cents per capita, based on the most recent U.S. Census estimate of 130,132 residents. That calculation gives each council member an annual salary of approximately $26,026, though the figure adjusts as population estimates change. The mayor’s salary is 25 cents per capita, or about $32,533 annually. Election results could shape future city policies on development, housing, and budget oversight as voters weigh their choices in the primary.