The nonpartisan run-off race to represent Key West’s District VI includes two native-born Key Westers — incumbent Clayton Lopez, 67, and challenger Ryan Barnett, 36.
Barnett has raised $34,393 and spent just over $33,775 since June, while Lopez has raised $19,525 and spent $11,766, according to financial reports furnished to the Supervisor of Elections office.
The run-off election became necessary when none of the initial three candidates received more than 50% of the vote in the August primary. The primary roster also included candidate John Wilson Smith, who received 17.8% of the vote. In that primary, Lopez claimed 47.4% and Barnett received 34.6%.
Barnett has been an outspoken supporter of the proposed cruise ship referendums and has received financial support from some of the same supporters, as well as members of the Reimagine Key West Facebook group. Some of his largest contributors include philanthropists John Padget and Bryan Green, as well as residents Roger McVeigh and Evan Corns.
Lopez’s contributions have come from a combination of Bahama Village and other Key West residents and businesses, including hotels in District VI such as H20 Suites, Santa Maria Suites, Silver Palms Inn and Truman Inn, resident Peter Wagner and business owner Ed Swift.
Lopez’s biography on the City of Key West’s website states, “Clayton is a man of faith, who believes in real family values, diversity and respect for those human differences that should be celebrated and learned from, rather than persecuted or exploited. He is an inclusive, self proclaimed man of the people, discounting nor disenfranchising anyone. He considers himself fiscally conservative and socially liberal.”
Barnett’s campaign website states, “Let’s Reimagine Key West…Dr. Ryan Barnett is a small business owner, a chiropractor and native son of Key West. A life-long environmentalist and community volunteer, Ryan is ready to reimagine Key West, and provide a steady hand during this challenging time.”
The Keys Weekly asked both candidates to answer the following two questions (answers are as submitted):
1.) If elected, what specific project will be your first priority to benefit District VI?
2.) District VI is a diverse combination of multigenerational residents, business owners and wealthy second homeowners. Their interests are not always aligned. How will you bring those segments together for the good of the district?
RYAN BARNETT
Age: 36
Occupation: Chiropractor
- My first project is seeking resident input and creating a short-term/long-term action plan for District 6. Short term projects are likely to include improved stormwater maintenance, additional shade and benches for our bus stops, cleaning-up Harris School and tending to our neighborhood roads and sidewalks. Long term plans include securing additional affordable housing, improved resources for our kids, and the preservation of our history and culture.
- Leadership is about being a teacher & communicator and gaining consensus. Leadership is listening and building mutual respect & positive rapport with the citizens of District VI through regularly scheduled community workshops, this would be a key element to unifying our diverse district. Our community is facing issues that will affect our lives for generations. Our citizens, regular working people, must be included in these decisions. I’m committed to keeping ALL members of District VI well-informed, and included in the decision-making process long before any votes. This kind of inclusionary forethought has been absent in District VI. It’s time for a change.
CLAYTON LOPEZ
Age: 67
Occupation: City Commissioner, District VI
- Healthy people. We won’t have a healthy economy if people are too sick to work, open their stores or go shopping or dining. It may well get worse before it gets better. History has shown, second waves can be much deadlier than the first. This is one of many instances where what’s good for the City is good for District VI. I’m pleading with people who haven’t gotten their flu shots to do it now. Surviving COVID is one thing; surviving COVID with the flu will be more difficult, and much more concerning.
- I get that, but our interests are aligned in so many ways and therein lies our strength. Last weekend, teens at a youth voter rally were harassed by some opponent’s supporters. While that was disturbing, the overwhelming cross-sectional outpouring of support showed our community’s TRUE heart. Throughout my life – spent entirely in Key West – I’ve been bringing people together, often under trying circumstances. Finding that common bond has always been my strong suit, which I inherited from a long line of family who’ve served our City for generations.
