EDGEWATER, FL — Former congressional candidate and longtime community advocate Kerry B. Lewis issued a scathing rebuke this weekend against a sitting Edgewater commissioner, accusing her of launching “unwarranted and deeply personal attacks” on Mayor Desial Depew and his family. Lewis praised the mayor for responding with dignity and restraint, invoking the values of grace and leadership in the face of political hostility.
“Mayor Depew showed the kind of character we need in public office,” Lewis said in a public statement. “When others went low, he went high. That’s not just a quote—it’s a reflection of the values his grandmother and mother instilled in him, and it’s exactly what Edgewater deserves.”
The controversy stems from a series of heated exchanges between Mayor Depew and the commissioner, including an alleged incident in the commissioner’s own yard that Depew described as “shockingly low.” In a recent address, the mayor expressed disbelief over the behavior, saying, “I can’t believe how low a sitting commissioner has swooped. God bless her and ask for forgiveness.”
Lewis, who ran for Congress on a platform of integrity and community-first leadership, said the commissioner’s actions crossed a line. “Attacking someone’s family and values is not politics—it’s personal, and it’s wrong,” he said. “Mayor Depew has been working tirelessly for this city, and instead of collaboration, he’s met with hostility. That’s not how we build a better Edgewater.”
Lewis also echoed Depew’s concerns about the commissioner’s voting record, criticizing her support for overdevelopment, rising taxes, and increased utility costs. “She’s voted for every development project, regardless of the impact on our residents,” Lewis said. “Then she turns around and disrespects the mayor who’s trying to protect the community. It’s disgraceful.”
Mayor Depew, in his original remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to Edgewater and the values that guide his leadership. “I love my community,” he said. “And I hope to continue as mayor with the values my grandmother and mother taught me. Sad others swoop so low.”
Lewis’s defense of the mayor has sparked renewed conversation among Edgewater residents, many of whom are calling for more civility and cooperation within city leadership. With elections on the horizon, the clash between Depew and the commissioner may become a defining issue—one that speaks not only to policy, but to the character of those elected to serve.
“Edgewater deserves leaders who lift each other up, not tear each other down,” Lewis said. “Mayor Depew chose the high road. And I stand with him.”
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