By Susannah Bryan | [email protected] | South Florida Sun Sentinel

Miramar voters flocked to the polls Tuesday to elect three commissioners to help guide the city through what promises to be challenging times ahead.

This election season, nine candidates were battling it out for three seats on the commission, a part-time job that pays $49,461 a year.

On Tuesday night, incumbent Yvette Colbourne was the clear winner over write-in candidate Luis Pedraza in the two-way race for Commission Seat 2.

Avril Cherasard, a real estate broker and independent adjuster, beat challengers Nari Tomlinson and Keith “Papa Keith” Walcott in the three-way race for Commission Seat 3.

And Carson “Eddy” Edwards, a marketing professional and co-founder of the Jamaican Jerk Festival, was the victor of a four-way race for Commission Seat 4, scoring more votes than rivals Kertch Joseph “K.C.” Conze, Kerri-Ann Nesbeth and Pamella “Pema” Reid.

“I’m really happy that the residents chose me to represent them,” Edwards told the South Florida Sun Sentinel Tuesday night. “I just look forward to representing them and being their voice and improving the areas of Miramar that we need to improve.”

Colbourne, a Jamaican descendant born in Panama, has served on the commission since 2013.

She could not be immediately reached on election night.

“I care about the city of Miramar,” she told the South Florida Sun Sentinel weeks before the election. “I love my city. And I want to see the best for my city.”

Colbourne told the Sun Sentinel she plans to continue working to boost affordable housing, improve the city’s parks, tackle flooding problems and fix pothole-damaged roadways.

Cherasard also could not be immediately reached Tuesday night.

Weeks before the election, Cherasard told the Sun Sentinel says she decided to run because she sees the challenges Miramar is facing with regard to affordable housing and budget constraints.

“I don’t want to focus on one small section of Miramar,” she said. “I live in the middle of Miramar. And I am engulfed in both sides. I’m doing this because my son is the heart of this. And I want him to remain a Miramar resident safely, happily, with me as a commissioner. I’m here to do it for everyone in Miramar.”

Commissioners are elected citywide in Miramar, a growing municipality with nearly 140,000 residents in southwestern Broward County.

Voter Brenda Villalobos, a native of El Salvador who has lived in Miramar for 25 years, said she chose her candidates based on personality and background.

“We haven’t had a Hispanic candidate in a long time,” she said. “I voted for Luis Pedraza because he’s Hispanic. I also voted for Keith Walcott and Carson Edwards. I want change for Miramar. And that’s why I voted for those three. I want to see the city improve.”

Voter Edward Duncan was mum about his vote, but said he made his picks based on which candidates he thought would work to keep the city clean.

“It seemed like all the candidates cared about the community,” he said. “But some were just padding their resume. They didn’t really do anything for the community.”

Susannah Bryan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan