Key West’s election season is heating up as quickly as the weather, with two new candidates joining the races this week — Greg Sullivan in District V and Wayne Garcia in District IV.
Three city commission seats will be filled by new faces, as no incumbents are running in Districts II, IV and V. And the closely watched mayor’s race pits Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez against current District II City Commissioner Sam Kaufman.
The primary election takes place Aug. 18. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, they are declared the winner. In races with three or more candidates, if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will head to a run-off in the November general election on Nov. 3, when Floridians will also elect a new governor.
In District V, where Greg Veliz was appointed to fulfill the term of the late Mary Lou Hoover, Greg Sullivan recently filed his paperwork to run against Chris Massicotte.
Sullivan is the senior district manager for WM, formerly known as Waste Management, which handles all of Key West’s trash and recycling services. He has served on numerous civic boards, including the Key West Chamber of Commerce and Keys Federal Credit Union.
“I want to bring good, common sense to Key West and get things done,” Sullivan told the Keys Weekly on March 3, the day he entered the race. “I’ve been here 31 years. I’ve never missed a hurricane and I think I understand what Key West residents need and want. I’m a nuts and bolts guy. I want to get things done, not postpone things. I’m all about maintenance and doing things that will make everyday life better for the people of Key West.”
Sullivan said he wants to expand the city’s youth summer employment program in partnership with A Positive Step of Monroe County, to give local high school students real-world work experience in various city departments.
“I also want to suggest a left-turn arrow at the light at White and United streets,” he said.
In District IV, incumbent Lissette Carey has not indicated that she will seek reelection, leaving three candidates thus far vying for that seat — Sarah Compton, Juan Llera and the recently announced Wayne Garcia.
Garcia is a native Conch, a building contractor and a wood-working artist who was mentored by the legendary folk artist Mario Sanchez. He specializes in top-tier masonry work, preservation of historic buildings and other construction.
“I decided to run because I care deeply about this island that my family has called home for four generations,” Garcia told the Keys Weekly. “District IV is the heart of our community, and it deserves a strong, practical voice at city hall that represents the interests of our residents, not politicians and not outside interest.
“As a fourth-generation Conch and business owner, I know firsthand the importance that government plays in our lives. I want to work with the people of Key West to protect our island and create opportunities for all residents of District IV.”
In District II, Mark Rossi and Bobi Lore are vying for the seat currently held by Kaufman, who is asking voters to promote him to mayor in the August election. Rossi owns and operates Rick’s/Durty Harry’s entertainment complex on Duval Street and was the District II commissioner 10 years before Kaufman. Lore owns and operates Island House guesthouse. All city election information is at cityofkeywest-fl.gov. From the home page, click on Your Government > Office of the City Clerk > Election Information.
