MEET THE PRIMARY CANDIDATES DURING AN UPCOMING SOCIAL IN THE UPPER KEYS

On Aug. 17, residents of the Upper Keys have a unique opportunity to meet and greet candidates up for election in the primary races. 

The Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) is hosting the event, which will take place at the Rooftop Sandbar at Whale Harbor, Islamorada on Wednesday, Aug. 17 from  6 to 8 p.m. Welcome remarks and brief introductions of candidates will take place from 6:30 to 7 p.m., after which informal networking continues.

The event is open to the public at a cost of $25 for BPW members and $30 for non-members. Advance registration and payment online at upperkeysbpw.org/events is encouraged. 

The Upper Keys BPW is the largest membership organization supporting professional women in the Florida Keys, with over 100 members from Islamorada to Ocean Reef. 

“We’ve organized meet-the-candidate events for the community during every bi-annual election year since 1986,” said Jill Kuehnert, Upper Keys BPW president. “As a non-partisan member-led organization we don’t endorse or oppose candidates, but we proudly offer this opportunity as part of our mission to support and inspire women personally, professionally and politically.”

Emmy Haydocy, chair of the Upper Keys BPW public policy committee, adds, “For business and professional women of the Upper Keys, the personal is political and the political is personal. I encourage everyone, on either and every side of the aisle, to understand the issues, know who the candidates are and where they stand on issues that matter to you, and vote like your livelihoods depend on it!”

More information, and registration, are at upperkeysbpw.org/events.

A second event, the Upper Keys BPW Political Forum, will take place on the evening of Oct. 19 in the Upper Keys. Location and online registration will be available soon.

Candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, speak and answer specific questions, ahead of election day on Nov. 8.

The mission of the Upper Keys BPW is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.