A second candidate will seek the Monroe County School Board District 1 seat in the Nov. 8 election, per Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin: Key West mom and bookkeeper Gabrielle Brown. Key West attorney Darren Michael Horan has also announced his candidacy. The current sitting District 1 board member, Bobby Highsmith, told Keys Weekly he will not seek reelection.
“Basically, eight years is plenty,” Highsmith said. “I’d like to see others step up with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. It’s been a great honor. I’ve enjoyed my service very much. I’m extremely proud of our school district and the great work that’s being done. I sincerely appreciate the voters and campaign supporters who allowed me to hold office for the past two terms. I wish my successor, whomever that might be, the best of luck in moving the district forward positively and successfully.”
Brown is a 50-year-old Florida Keys native, widow, mother, grandmother and foster mother. She told Keys Weekly that she loves her community and is very active in her church. As a daughter of a former county commissioner, she spent much of her childhood in the ’70s and ’80s on the campaign trail with her father. She has been a bookkeeper, mostly in the construction industry, for 20-plus years.
“I am excited about this opportunity to serve,” she said. “I was born and raised in Key West and am very proud to be a Conch. I believe it is my duty as an American citizen to be involved in my community, and the education and not indoctrination of our children should be a priority. ”
Brown has two adult children, both of whom attended Monroe County schools. In addition, she currently has a 7-month-old foster child.
“I am dedicated, and passionate about my community and the well-being of children and their future,” she said. “The school board’s mission statement speaks about being global citizens. I believe that our children should be encouraged to be involved locally and to love their community and their country.”
When asked how she thought the current school board is doing, she said, “I support the decision of the school board to allow face masks to be voluntary and not mandatory.”
As for other races in the school district, District 4 board member and chair John Dick has filed for reelection in the Middle Keys and is currently unopposed. Contender Alexandria Suarez is challenging District 5 board member Sue Woltanski, who is running for reelection.
