Headline Surfer® photo / DAYTONA BEACH -- Tony Ledbetter, the chairman of the Republican Party of Volusia County, was escorted out of the canvassing board's voter recount in the at-large County Council race late Friday at the historic Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand by a Sheriff's deputy, Headline Surfer® has learned.
Ledbetter, who was there with Webster Barnaby, the candidate who finished third and asked for the recount, became irate about the slow pace of the voting recount process, according to eyewitnesses and was ordered out by Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall.
Headline Surfer® photo / The internet newspaper confirmed the incident with several witnesses, some who asked not to be identified and others who were willing to have their names used. Among them was Northey.
"It was suggested he should leave when he started to get contentious and combative with the canvassing board," Northey told Headline Surfer®. "He was escorted out by one of the deputies. It was just a temporary ouster. He cooled down and came back later. (He) behaved himself after that."
Northey said McFall called Ledbetter out "when he became demanding about the time. (He) said he was paying an attorney $300 an hour and he was not happy about the slow pace of the recount. (He) started to argue with the board when Ann told him he could leave if he didn't like it."
Northey said McFall called Ledbetter out "when he became demanding about the time. (He) said he was paying an attorney $300 an hour and he was not happy about the slow pace of the recount. (He) started to argue with the board when Ann told him he could leave if he didn't like it."
Jean Jenner, a Democratic Party official, wrote on his Facebook page.
"Was just informed that Volusia County Republican Party Tony Ledbetter was ejected from the Supervisor of Election recount room," "Ann McFall requested a Deputy Sheriff escort him out of the room for being disruptive. Barnaby apologized to Ann McFall for the behavior of the Party Chairman.
Barnaby had sought the recount, having finished 150 votes behind second-place finisher Patricia Northey, the term-limited district 5 County Councilwoman, in Tuesday's primary, won by incumbent Joyce Cusack.
Messages left with Ledbetter have gone unanswered.