Tyler Capelotti, Denise Dierker, Schuyler Black and Matthew Turpin finished as the top four vote-getters in a 10-candidate race for four Fort Walton Beach City Council seats, according to unofficial results.
Fort Walton Beach voters could choose up to four candidates. The top four, according to unofficial results from the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections:
Tyler Capelotti: 2,679 votes (13.08%)
Denise Dierker: 2,546 (12.43%)
Schuyler Black: 2,389 (11.67%)
Matthew Turpin: 2,302 (11.24%)
Turpin finished 148 votes ahead of Brandon Bishop for the fourth seat.
The remaining candidates:
Brandon Bishop: 2,154 (10.52%)
T. Payne Walker: 1,996 (9.75%)
Gloria J. DeBerry: 1,832 (8.95%)
Jeffrey Pendleton: 1,779 (8.69%)
Steve Caldarelli: 1,609 (7.86%)
Glen Guarin: 1,189 (5.81%)
A total of 20,475 votes were cast in the race. Results are unofficial until certified by the county canvassing board.
Disclosure: Emerald Coast Connected’s Editor Bobby Dewrell co-hosts a radio program with Schuyler Black and has assisted Black’s campaign with constituent communications.
Election 2026: Okaloosa County Results
In the directory: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, Emerald Coast Connected
Written and reported by Emerald Coast Connected.