PALM COAST, Fla. – The election cycle is barely in full swing but candidates are wasting little time throwing their hats into the ring.
The latest to join the 2024 election season excitement is Kathy Austrino, broker/owner for TAG Ventures Real Estate.
Looking to earn the seat currently held by Palm Coast City Councilman Ed Danko in District 1, this is not Austino’s first foray into the political realm. In 2021, Austrino was one of seven candidates who stepped up to run for Mayor of the City of Palm Coast after the surprise resignation of Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland.
A staunch advocate for transparency, her goal is to continue rebuilding trust between voters and the elected officials serving the city’s residents.
“I really want to see the community come together,” Austrino explained.
“I’d like to see transparency. And I’m not saying that anything’s clouded, just that some folks have a feeling that things are not quite right. I want to be able to come to the table and see for myself and be able to take that message back to the people and hear from the folks that I represent what they want for the city, and just be the voice for the actual residents so that they don’t feel like they’re being bamboozled all the time.”
Asked if she’s seen a positive change in perception as a result of the current administration, she’s cautiously optimistic.
“I actually do. Folks might be surprised with me saying that. Sometimes we get caught up in the theory of every politician is corrupt, that we can’t bring ourselves out from that and that’s what I’d like to help with,” she said.
Austrino filed paperwork on June 8th before heading over to host the TAG V. BEAR Foundation’s annual celebration, a fundraiser that helps support a number of worthy charitable organizations across Flagler County, at Channel Side.
“I don’t set specific goals for the fundraiser. The goal is to raise awareness, not just to our foundation but to some of the other organizations that we support through the year, and just to bring the community together once a year to support each other.”
