Shuham, Biederman and Callari win in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD – Political newcomer Caryl Sandler Shuham trounced her opponents in Tuesday’s commission race in Hollywood — as did incumbents Kevin Biederman and Traci Callari.

District 1 voters chose Shuham, an attorney, over longtime resident Itzhack Feldman, retired pilot Luis Prada and Joseph Kaplan, a write-in candidate whose name did not appear on the ballot.

All four candidates competed for the seat after Debra Case, a local restaurateur elected in 2016, decided not to seek re-election.

“I’m really looking forward to working for all the residents and making Hollywood a fabulous city to live and to work and to play,” Shuham said.

“People recognized that I was a unique candidate with a background in engineering and construction and law,” she added. “People saw an opportunity to have a commissioner who can bring a new and fresh perspective and help the city continue to grow and improve.”

Callari, a nurse elected to the District 3 seat in 2012, easily crushed Tom Ungleich, a retired military attorney making his first run for office.

And Biederman, a business owner elected in 2012 to represent District 5, scored a victory over two opponents: Jack Izzo, a business owner making his first run for office, and Francisco Vargas, a teacher who ran for office six years ago and lost to Biederman.

“I’m humbled by the confidence and support that our residents have put in me each district were able to cast ballots for their particular neighborhood.

The District 1 commissioner represents the beach and neighborhoods east of Federal Highway, including the Hollywood Lakes community.

District 3 encompasses the central neighborhoods between Sheridan Street and Hollywood Boulevard and is bounded on the east by 24 Avenue and on the west by 56 Avenue.

District 5 includes the neighborhoods west of Florida’s Turnpike, south of Stirling Road and north of Hollywood Boulevard.

The winners will be sworn in on Nov. 20 at City Hall.