And then there were two.

Gabrielle Redfern eked past Alex Fernandez during a Friday morning recount, earning the challenger spot in a runoff for Miami Beach Commission Group 3.

Redfern, a 47-year-old transportation activist and property manager, will oppose former Commissioner Michael Góngora, 39, when voters return to the polls on Nov. 17.

``I'm very excited and very grateful to the voters of Miami Beach for giving me this extra opportunity,'' Redfern said shortly after learning she had garnered 2,158 votes -- 21 more than Fernandez.

Tuesday's general election ended with Redfern and Fernandez just 17 votes apart and with less than a quarter of a percentage point separating the candidates. State law requires a mandatory recount when two candidates are within half a percentage point.

Fernandez, a 23-year-old former aide to Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, said Friday that he will not challenge the results of the recount, but expects to remain active politically.

``I'm going to continue fighting for this community,'' he said. ``I'm not stopping here.''

A runoff election is required because though Góngora easily bested his opponents, he did not receive 50 percent of the vote, as required to win the seat outright.

Redfern, who was often overlooked leading up to Tuesday's general election as Fernandez and Góngora slammed each other over alleged ethical lapses and driving records, has another uphill battle to wage.

Redfern announced her candidacy two years ago, but has struggled to raise funds on the campaign trail. She withdrew a $50,000 self loan in 2007 because of the declining economy. As of Oct. 29, Redfern had $3,000 in her campaign coffers.

Góngora, who lost his commission seat in 2007 by 33 votes in a race that also needed a recount, had reported about $70,000 left to spend in his campaign account.

Góngora, however, said he isn't taking anything for granted.

``You can never be comfortable in a runoff,'' he said. ``You have to continue fighting like you're the underdog. I don't intend to rest on my laurels.''

Along with the Group 3 race, voters who cast their ballots Nov. 17 will also choose between Jorge Exposito and Maria Mayer in a runoff for the Group 2 Commission seat.

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