Cousin commissioners to be sworn into Hawthorne City Commission

HAWTHORNE, Fla. (WCJB) - Leaders with the city of Hawthorne will officially swear in two new city commissioners following the city election.

Jonathan Franklin defeated incumbent Tommie Howard for seat 1, getting 61 percent of the vote.

Ronald Cobb beat out Silvia Ardley for seat 3, taking 75 percent of the vote.

In a plot twist, both men found out they were cousins on election night.

“It’s very, very interesting to hear that, again, with a small, tight, close-knit community, you can end up finding these things out,” Cobb commented. “And it’s just like, ‘Wow, okay’ but with a small thought, it could happen. So it’s really, really cool to learn that it’s going to be extended into this time as well.”

Franklin says it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

“It’s just one of those moments where I’ve met cousins on the street,” Franklin said. “They knew who I was. I didn’t know who they were. So it just…encourages me to get to know more family members.”

Franklin says one of his main focuses in office will be bringing business to the city, while Cobb mentions that one his main focuses will be on the development of the city.

A total of 189 voters went to the polls.

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