Several county posts go unopposed
Several top county posts went unopposed during the 2024 election cycle. Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward, county Public Defender Robert Lockwood and County Judge James Morgan saw no challengers with the passing of an April 26 deadline for those positions. A qualifying period for county and local candidates concluded June 14. Among those returning to their posts were Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, County Commissioner Craig Cates and school board member Mindy Conn.
Keys Republicans tussle over endorsement
The endorsement of a local candidate for supervisor of elections by Monroe County Republicans topped the 2024 elections headlines. On April 20, the Monroe County Republican Executive Committee voted to endorse its treasurer Sherri Hodies ahead of an Aug. 20 primary against fellow Republican Margaret Romero of Key West. Some members of the executive committee questioned the vote, claiming the 20-18 tally to endorse Hodies didn’t meet the affirmative vote threshold of 60%. The endorsement came with a $20,000 check from the Republican Party of Monroe County.
Hodies told Keys Weekly she followed the application process and the rules to obtain the endorsement. Rhonda Rebman Lopez, chairwoman for the executive committee, told Keys Weekly “the vote tallies were taken to the highest levels of the RPOF, by me, and they told me, as chairman, to make the call.”
On July 26, Republican voter Phyllis May filed a complaint with Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward alleging “election fraud and unlawful disbursement of funds” by Hodies and Rebman Lopez. Given Ward’s membership in the REC — and his subsequent personal support for Hodies’ Republican primary opponent, Margaret Romero — Ward recused himself from investigating May’s complaint, to avoid a conflict of interest. As is protocol, Ward notified the governor’s office of the complaint and requested that it be reassigned to another state attorney in Florida to investigate. The governor signed an executive order appointing Amira Fox, state attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit, to lead the investigation into allegations. The investigation is still pending, according to Samantha Syoen, communications director for the State Attorney’s Office in the 20th Judicial Circuit.
Hodies beat Romero in the August Republican primary and Democrat Ron Saunders in the November election to win the supervisor of elections post. She will assume her position Jan. 1, 2025.
Raschein wins three-person race for county commission
A race saw three Republican candidates for a seat representing Key Largo and Tavernier. Entering the race were incumbent Holly Raschein and challengers Melissa Ptomey, small business owner from Tavernier, and Paul Wunderlich, Key Largo resident and former construction inspector supervisor for the county Engineering & Roads Department. Candidates addressed issues of development following the county commission’s decision that paved the way for a proposed Publix supermarket, liquor store and 86 workforce housing units at the former CEMEX property at MM 92.5, oceanside in Tavernier. August primary results showed Raschein as the victor with 55.10% of the vote.
Dollars fly during 2024 election season
Individuals, businesses and political action committees contributed more than $1 million to candidates vying for positions and seats in the Florida Keys this election season.
Large war chests brought plenty of spending on direct mailers, and text messages to voters’ phones, among other advertisements. Ads running across television screens attacked one candidate for supervisor of elections.
Florida Keys residents and businesses weren’t the only ones contributing to campaigns. There were also political committees from Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. pumping money into candidates’ war chests.
