Geraldine "Jeri" Muoio (born February 14, 1948http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/stakes-high-in-west-palm-beach-mayor-race/nkQbT/) is an American

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

who served as

Mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

West Palm Beach, Florida West Palm Beach is a city in and the county seat of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon. The populati ...

from 2011 to 2019. Muoio is a resident of Old Northwood in West Palm Beach. She holds a

doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism ''l ...

academic administration Academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities. Some t ...

from

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

and a

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

from

SUNY Oswego State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego or Oswego State) is a public college in the City of Oswego and Town of Oswego, New York. It has two campuses: historic lakeside campus in Oswego and Metro Center in Syracuse, New York. SUN ...

. She served as the

city commissioner City commission government is a form of local government in the United States. In a city commission government, voters elect a small commission, typically of five to seven members, typically on a plurality-at-large voting basis. These commissione ...

of West Palm Beach before her election as Mayor of West Palm Beach in March 2011. She has been described as the "hand-picked successor" of outgoing Mayor

Lois Frankel Lois Jane Frankel (born May 16, 1948) is an American politician and lawyer who has been the United States representative for Florida's 21st congressional district since 2017 and who represented Florida's 22nd congressional district from 2013 to 20 ...

, who left office due to term limits after two consecutive terms. Muoio won 51.2% of the vote in the 2011 West Palm Beach mayoral election held on March 8, 2011. Most political observers had predicted that the crowded, four-way mayoral race would result in a

runoff election The two-round system (TRS), also known as runoff voting, second ballot, or ballotage, is a voting method used to elect a single candidate, where voters cast a single vote for their preferred candidate. It generally ensures a majoritarian resul ...

. However, Muoio won the election with a majority, avoiding a runoff. She defeated three opponents - Molly Douglas, a West Palm Beach city commissioner; Paula Ryan, a housing

consultant A consultant (from la, consultare "to deliberate") is a professional (also known as ''expert'', ''specialist'', see variations of meaning below) who provides advice and other purposeful activities in an area of specialization. Consulting servic ...

; and Charles Bantel, an

electrician An electrician is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, transmission lines, stationary machines, and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance ...

. Muoio received 4,761 votes, or 51.2%; Paula Ryan placed second with 23.3%; Molly Douglas was third with 21.3%; and Charles Bantel came in fourth place with 4.2% of the vote. Muoio was inaugurated into office at 3:32 p.m. on March 31, 2011.

References

Mayors of West Palm Beach, Florida Florida Democrats Syracuse University alumni State University of New York at Oswego alumni Living people Women mayors of places in Florida 1948 births 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians {{Florida-mayor-stub