The City of Neptune Beach announced June 24 that due to the lack of a challenger, Rory Diamond would fill Neptune Beach city council seat 3 – a seat formerly held by Councilor Kara Tucker.
According to the Neptune Beach City Clerk’s office, Diamond will be sworn in in December.
The councilor-elect declared victory in a June 27 announcement thanking his supporters.
“I am humbled and honored to announce that our campaign can claim victory,” Diamond said. “I look forward to serving the Neptune Beach community as our city’s newest council member. Thank you to all the supporters, donors, volunteers, and most importantly, our great neighbors in Neptune Beach. Today is truly special.”
The executive director of K9s For Warriors, Diamond ran for Neptune Beach city council seat four in 2014 as a first-time candidate against incumbent and current Vice Mayor Richard Arthur. After the two candidates tied in the election, Arthur was declared the winner in the race by a numbered ping-pong ball drawing in which Arthur selected a higher-numbered ball.
“After the tied election and the ping-pong ball draw that drew international attention, it is both an honor and a relief to finally be taking office to serve Neptune Beach,” Diamond said. “It appears that karma was on our side this time! Now we need to get to work.”
