As Florida primary races remain contentious and hot, races in the Village of Islamorada will begin to heat up in the coming week as candidates will spend the next week qualifying one of five seats in the November general election.
All five current council members filed well before the official qualifying period began at noon on Aug. 4. More hopefuls are expected to declare their candidacies before the week-long qualification period ends at noon on Aug. 11.
A lifelong Upper Keys resident, Corie McGraw-Abel was the latest candidate to file on Aug. 3. She’s seeking Seat 3 currently held by councilwoman Deb Gillis. The councilwoman, too, filed for the seat, on April 15.
McGraw-Abel serves as legislative aide to Monroe County Commissioner Holly Raschein. She was also the aide to the late Commissioner Mike Forster.
She formerly served on the village’s Historic Preservation Commission. She’s a current member of the Local Planning Agency, which hears, reviews, and recommends proposed changes related to the village’s land development regulations, comprehensive plan, as well as changes to the zoning map. She’s the wife of Islamorada Fire Chief Terry Abel.
McGraw-Abel said she felt it was the right time to seek the office.
“I have experience with the county commission, working in the Upper Keys as a legislative aide, and dealing with the state and local issues that span the county,” she said. “It’s my local experience, and me being here all my life, as well as my background that I feel makes me fit to serve the village.”
Councilwoman Anna Richards filed for seat 1 on March 9. She was appointed by the council to fill the remainder of then-councilman Buddy Pinder’s term in February 2025. Councilman Steve Friedman filed for re-election to seat 2 on May 18. His first term on the council came following a victory during the 2024 election.
Mayor Don Horton was the first to file for one of the five seats in January. He’s seeking Seat 4 and a second consecutive term in office, while Vice Mayor Sharon is seeking re-election to Seat 5. She ran unopposed last election cycle and is seeking her third term on the council.
To qualify for office, candidates must be a registered voter with Florida, a resident of the village and must maintain residency in Islamorada throughout the two-year term of office.
