Antonio Wins Frederick Trustee Seat by Five Votes as Voters Back Election Shift

**TL;DR** Ryan D. Antonio won a Frederick trustee seat by five votes, while voters overwhelmingly backed moving the town’s regular election from April to November in even‑numbered years, a change set for 2028.

## Context Officials finalized Frederick’s municipal election results on April 8. Initially, Suz Healy led Antonio by one vote, but the final tally flipped the outcome. All three winning trustees—Antonio, Matt Hickman, and Windi Padia—had received endorsements from Mayor Tracie Crites in March.

## Key Facts Antonio secured 474 votes; Healy received 469, a five‑vote margin.

Padia, running for reelection, captured 45.8 % of the vote, Hickman received 50 % and Antonio 28.9 %.

On the same ballot, 92.9 % of respondents approved shifting the regular municipal election to November in even‑numbered years, with 130 voters leaving the question blank.

The change will take effect in 2028.

In a phone call on April 8, Hickman said, “I think Frederick is a great town, so I’m excited to give it my energy and effort to continue to keep it going.”

Antonio did not respond to a request for comment, but in a March Q&A he emphasized prioritizing public safety investment and aligning development with community safety.

## What It Means The narrow victory shows voter preferences can shift quickly after initial counts.

This highlights the importance of every ballot.

The strong support for moving the election date suggests residents want greater turnout in November contests.

This could affect future local races.

Officials will now prepare for the 2028 transition by updating calendars and voter outreach.

What to watch next: how the new election timing influences candidate strategies and voter participation in Frederick’s upcoming municipal cycles.