Cape Coral council, community react to mayor’s decision to not seek re-election

CAPE CORAL, Fla. Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki has made waves since she was first elected in 2013.

She won the position by 121 votes against former Mayor John Sullivan.

Sawicki’s personal life has also made headlines, from filing a restraining a restraining order against a city employee, who eventually became her husband of two months, as well as sparring with other city council members during public meetings.

One of those council members included Richard Leon, who called the state ethics commission to investigate Sawicki.

“The tensions might be there, but as a whole we can work together for the people,” he said.

Jay Lagace said Sawicki was part of the inspiration for his Facebook group, “Cape Coral Florida Politics The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

“There’s so much divisiveness in the city and on the city council since she’s been elected,” he said.

Since the controversial mayor announced Monday she wasn’t seeking re-election, five people have announced their candidacy for the upcoming election in November.

Sawicki declined to comment.