The voters of Rehoboth Beach spurned Washington lobbyist and politico Betty Ann Kane in an Aug. 12 election for two open spots on the city commission. She placed fourth in a field of five candidates. As an at-large D.C. councilmember for 12 years and candidate for mayor and congressional delegate, Kane used to face about 300,000 District voters. But her years of expertise didn’t inspire Rehoboth’s nearly 1,000 voters, who gave her just 337 votes. Instead, they picked Richard Sargent and Kenny Vincent, two local business owners endorsed by the influential Home Owners Association, which represents 450 of the 1,200 residents of the Delaware hamlet. Local pundits note that Kane filed her petition on the last day possible, leaving her just 10 weeks to glad-hand voters. “It’s very hard to overcome being a newcomer,” sighs Kane, who bought a vacation home in Rehoboth seven years ago but doesn’t live there full-time. She was counting on support from fellow part-time residents, but it is difficult for absentee voters to register. Kane pledges to stay involved in the community and may run again. If it means more time at the beach, who wouldn’t?