EDGEWATER, Fla. – On Tuesday, voters in the city of Edgewater will choose between two candidates to replace a councilman who resigned because he said his family and his business were getting harassed.

The special election fills the city council district 4 seat vacated by Rob Wilkie in January. The special election is open to all voters who live in the city of Edgewater.

Wilkie won the election without opposition last year and took office in October, but he soon changed his mind, claiming he was harassed by people for decisions he made while in office.

He said some people would show up at his business and make threats. He also claimed that someone called code enforcement on him as a form of retaliation.

“As with any role, there are moments when personal and professional priorities shift. These priorities shifted when I realized owning a business and being on city council do not mix,” Wilkie said.

Wilkie said he often saw people fail to treat each other with basic dignity and urged residents to be kind to one another.

Eric Rainbird and Renee Sortman are running to replace Wilkie. Both candidates say they want to fight both flooding and overdevelopment in the city, including implementing a stormwater management plan.

Voting will start at 7 a.m. and run until 7 p.m. at the following locations.

• 901 – Edgewater City Hall – 104 N. Riverside Drive

• 902 – Friendship Community Church – 2108 Hibiscus Drive

• 903– Florida Shores Clubhouse – 2932 Lime Tree Drive

• 904 – American Legion Post 285 – 4497 US Highway 1 (S. Ridgewood Avenue)

More information is available on the City of Edgewater website and the Volusia County supervisor of elections website.