Decision 2020

N O I S I C DE

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MONROE COUNTY VOTER’S GUIDE

Republican Party of Monroe County

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l Omar Blanco l Carlos Gimenez

DO YOU CARE

State Attorney 16th Judicial District l Mark E. Kohl

about

l Dennis W. Ward

Secure borders?

Historically low unemployment?

A strong economy?

Healthy and clean water?

State Representative District 120

Transparent government?

Religious liberty?

Tax cuts for all?

Non-activist judges?

an c i l b u p e R e t Vo y

l James “Jim” Vernon Mooney Jr l Rhonda Rebman Lopez l Alexandria Suarez County Commissioner District 5

IN OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS & RE-ELECT PRESIDENT TRUMP!

l Michael P. Forster l Robby Majeska State Committeeman

U P P E R K E YS

REPUBLICAN

Gazette

Republicans

By Republicans, For s

Vol. 1, No. 1

www.keysgop.com/upper-key

Upper Keys Republican Club

is going virtual

U P P E R K E YS

l Stephen Hammond l Casey Cass Scheu

April 2020

Premium pay for Monroe County

Gazette

pandemic Everyone is well aware the COVID-19 workers sends effort to continue has everything on lockdown. In an 3rd elections the wrong message our push toward the November via Zoom going to hold a virtual meetings

By John Millhiser Upper Keys Republican Club is on April 22nd at 6pm. you are encouraged to attend and In the April 7th Miami Herald, If you have a PC or smartphone keysgop.com for David Goodhue wrote about page or visit Bythe Republicans, For Republicans participate. Follow our Facebook up-to-date information.

County Administrator Roman upcoming meetings and the most Vol. 1, No. 2 proposed plans for Gastesi’s www.keysgop.com/upper-keys June 2020 managing the Monroe County workforce during the COVID-19 Your Republican candidates, banned their own words visitors pandemic. With all in businesses many In this issue of the UKRC Gazette, Keys and Federal from the offices who will appear on contacted and asked to provide a revenues tax ballot we begin a series of introductionsclosed county down, of our Monroe County including: brief bio, a statement of Candadacy, observation. makes that Gastesi Republican candidates running are plummeting for Florida House and District 120, State and a photo. Candidates were notified

By Casey Scheu League of The 30or furlough all offices for election in the Keysexpects to layoff in Senate District 39, Congressional via email, their web sites, telephone, the to reduce 2020.Woman Voter’s agenda 100 District employees 26, and the 16th Judicial FB messenger, and any other method Most of us have heard out of Leftis straight I have sympathy This issue features payroll.

Republican budgeted Circuit State Attorney’s Office. we could find. No candidate was of the League of Women Democrats’ wing, have also but candidates running for State and personnel for these Each of the candidates voters. It’s a 100-yearplaybook. The agenda sympathy for the employees of were excluded by the UKRC. old organization formed is a carbon of talking private businesses who have lost when women won Nancy for points their jobs for the same reason. Both the right to vote with Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Bernie public and private employees are passage of the 20th Amendment.

Sanders. Let’s look at the LWV eligible for Federal benefits under This year is the 100th anniversary on Florida positions as outlined as well as State CARES Act the Omar Blanco of that amendment and the LWV. their web page https://www.lwvfl. unemployment benefits.

Officially, the LWV is a nonprofit Omar Blanco thatisremaining a native of DC org/issues. proposes Gastesi headquartered in Washington Miami-Dade work County and afrom It’s lifelong employees County with State and local chapters.

Republican. if infeasible, not Education Southwest which,He lives home, true that the League does Miami-Dade under County with is or The League of Woman voters his the wife of would be reasonable support specific candidates he also 18 years, Carolina, However, a public-school political parties and that’s why against school choice, against circumstances. must who children: teacher,thatand their two But voucher programs, against charter suggests employees it’s considered non-partisan. home be 17, and of the 13. term doKevin, outLauren, field work look at the policies for which they school funding, and is against He and is currently a half. a lieutenant in paid time for school board members. advocate and it’s clear they support limits Miami-Dade Carlos Gimenez Fire Rescue where he has worked for 16 years. Heonispg. the a 2Past Continued on pg. 3 Continued a progressive agenda – even President of Miami-Dade Firefighters and Paramedics Local 1403 and a In spite of multiple requests, Wikipedia entry on the organization member of Urban Search and Rescue FL Republican party or the Task Force UKRC One. of the for information to include in this do not constitute the position article of up to 500 words the opinion of the author and for this newsletter. Submit your newsletter. Each article Articles in this publication reflect all members content publication, no response was provide to Statement of Candidacy for edit and inclusion in the of Monroe County. We encourage Shusta, via email to antonias@aol.com Antonia received from the candidate nor his to UKRC Information Officer, principles. and demonstrate AsRepublican a firefighter, when the bell rings, my job is to help those in need. It is this campaign. should be structured to promote principle I want to bring as your next representative in Congress. It’s loud and clear from the Northernmost corner to our famous Southernmost point: this district has come up short for the last two years on the representation COMING TO THE KEYS More info on pg. 5 you rightfully deserve.

As an active first-responder, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and realities many are experiencing. I have experience working at Local, State and Federal levels and the ability to collaborate with others for the best interest of our communities.

REPUBLICAN

The partisan agenda of “nonpartisan” League of Women Voters

!

UNITED STATES HOUSE DISTRICT 26

Learn more about the 2020 Republican candidates on our website at www.KeysGOP.com/meet-the-candidates

Vote August 18th!

There is a local Republican Club in your neighborhood. Get connected today!

Continued on pg. 2 Articles in this publication reflect the opinion of the author and do not constitute the position of the UKRC or the Republican party of Monroe County. We encourage all members to provide content.

Submit your article of up to 500 words to UKRC to ukrc@keysgop. com for edit and inclusion in the newsletter. Each article should be structured to promote and demonstrate Republican principles.

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91655 Overseas Highway | Tavernier, FL 33070 P o l i t i c a l a d v e r t i s e m e n t p a i d f o r b y t h e R e p u b l i c a n P a r t y o f M o n r o e C o u n t y , 9 1 6 4 5 O v e r s e a s H i g h w ay , T av e r n i e r , F l o r i d a 3 3 0 7 0

l and social welfare “Cates championed environmenta sses... and sought concerns, suppor ted local busine residents.” to improve the quality of life for all

— Commissioner Craig Cates

— The Miami Herald

Paid by Craig Cates, Republican, for Monroe County Commission District 1

Craig Cates Protecting our quality of life Keeping taxes low Fighting for the Florida Keys

EXPERIENCE Craig Cates is a successful businessman, a world champion boat racer, and a skilled public servant. Craig considers his family his greatest accomplishment in life.

Working Together to Keep Moving Forward!

For

MONROE COUNTY

IN THIS ISSUE: 6 | Local Voting Info 8 | Infected Election?

10 | Key West Cruise Ship Debate 14 | U.S. House of Representatives 15 | State Senate

FOR

18 | State Representative 19 | State Attorney 22 | Key West Mayor 26 | Monroe County Commission District 1 27 | Monroe County Commission District 3 28 | Monroe County Commission District 5 30 | Key West City Commission District III 31 | Key West City Commission District VI 32 | Top 10 Signs You Backed the Wrong

The past 5 years Monroe County workers unionized with the Teamsters, the Florida Keys College unionized, and we are burdened with an 11% raise in taxes. The Democrats have successfully pushed their agenda in Monroe County for 5 years.

As State Committeeman I will assemble a Republican Legislative Agenda, bring accountable government back, and continue my efforts pushing back against the ever progressive Democrats.

• Chairman of the Trump 2020 Re-Election Campaign in the Florida Keys.

• Lifelong Keys Resident for 35 years since 1984 • Republican Club President & VP 2006-2020 • Republican Executive Committee Member 2007-2020 • Chairman Monroe REC Candidate Search Committee • Chairman Monroe REC Candidate Funding Committee • Chairman Monroe REC Information Technology Committees 2015-2020

Candidate 32 | Unopposed candidates 34 | Islamorada Village Council 35 | Islamorada Village Council 36 | Key Colony Beach 38 | Key Largo Fire Rescue 40 | Words to Vote By 42 | COVID Changes Campaigns 44 | Historic Campaign Slogans

Managing Partner Britt Myers britt@keysweekly.com Editor Mandy Miles mandy@keysweekly.com Staff Writers Sara Matthis sara@keysweekly.com Jim McCarthy jim@keysweekly.com Tiffany Duong tiffany@keysweekly.com Account Executives Lesley Aaron lesley@keysweekly.com Stephanie Mitchell stephanie@keysweekly.com Patti Childress patti@keysweekly.com Christina Valdez christina@keysweekly.com Office Manager Charlotte Hruska char@keysweekly.com Production Manager Anneke Patterson anneke@keysweekly.com Art/Design Javier Reyes javier@keysweekly.com Irene de Bruijn irene@keysweekly.com Travis Cready travis@keysweekly.com

45 | Sample Ballots Keys Weekly Newspapers 9709 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL. 33050 P. 305.743.0844 F. 305.743.0866 Key West office 5450 MacDonald Ave. No. 5 Key West, FL. 33040 P. 305.453.6928 F. 305.509.7347

www.ElectCasey.com Paid by Campaign to Elect Casey Cass Scheu for Republican State Committeeman.

Published MMXX

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Publisher Jason Koler jason@keysweekly.com

Tavernier office 91760 Overseas Hwy. Tavernier, FL 33070 P. 305.363.2957 F. 305.743.0866

Monroe County population (2018): 73,940

Total registered voters: 54,264

Republicans: 22,043

Democrats: 18,226

Others: 13,995

EARLY VOTING: Early voting sites will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting will begin Monday, the 15th day before an election and will end Saturday the 3rd day before an election.

NEW VOTING LOCATIONS Precinct 1: Moved from Jaycees Clubhouse to Elks Lodge, Key West Precinct 9 and 10: Moved from Senior Citizen Plaza to Citizen building, Northside Drive, Key West Precinct 15: Moved from Boy Scout Camp on Summerland to Baptist church on Big Pine

MONROE COUNTY

VOTER STATS:

EARLY VOTING DATES: Begins Monday, Aug. 3 Ends Saturday, Aug. 15 *** WEAR YOUR MASK *** “Wear your mask and thank a poll worker. They are the heroes of democracy.” — Joyce Griffin, Monroe County supervisor of elections

VOTE BY MAIL: Requests for ballots by mail for the November general election can be completed online at keyselections.org Early voting sites for county elections: • Supervisor of Elections offices: 530 Whitehead St #101, Key West; 10015 Overseas Hwy, Marathon; and 102050 Overseas Hwy #137, Key Largo • Other locations: Big Pine Key Community Park, End of Sands Road, 31009 Atlantis Dr., Big Pine Key; and Islamorada Branch Library, 81830 Overseas Hwy., MM. 81.7 Islamorada VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS DUE Vote-by-mail ballots must be turned in by Election Day to be counted, but may NOT be dropped off at polling locations on Election Day. If you received a vote-by-mail ballot, but are planning to vote in person, bring your mailed ballot with you to make voting quicker.

ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES State Representative Salary: $29,697/year House members may be elected for up to four 2-year terms (eight years), State Senator Salary: $29,697/year Can be elected for up to two 4-year terms (eight years).

State Attorney Salary: $ 169,554 Supervisor of Elections Salary: $116,306

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Property Appraiser Salary: $116,306 Tax Collector: Salary: $116,306 Sheriff Salary: $125,733 Monroe County Commissioners: Salary: $46,851 School board members: Salary: $31,717

Key West City Commissioner (4-year terms) Salary: $20,000 Key West Mayor (2-year terms) Salary: $22,500 Islamorada Village Council (2-year terms - No more than 8 consecutive years Salary: $300/month ($3,600/ year)

Let’s keep i t s i m pl e . . .

Pr oven Leadership

Serving on our County Commission for 12 years, I continue to push for practicality and transparency, and to gather all the facts to guide tough decisions, especially during these challenging times. I am focused on increasing workforce housing, addressing impacts of climate change and sea level rise and maintaining a clear, lean and fiscally-responsible County budget.

Home Rule

I continue to work with the Florida Association of Counties to remind Tallahassee that one size does not fit all in this diverse state. Local communities must have some flexibility to address the issues that impact them. I make sure our voices are heard.

Striving for Balance

We share these coral islands with unique communities from Key West to Ocean Reef.

Our tourist economy relies on preserving a pristine environment and limiting ecological damage. I continue to work on finding a balance between a healthy environment and a vibrant economy that brings all of us the best possible quality of life.

Community Service

I have been an active member of our community for over 20 years, from serving on business and cultural boards like The Lodging Association and the Key West Symphony, to graduating from Leadership Monroe (Class XI).I am a founding member of Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe and continue to work with FIRM towards more affordable property insurance.

Appreciation

It is an honor to serve you and the glorious Florida Keys as your County Commissioner.

I have demonstrated the proven leadership, knowledge and experience which are essential as we face challenges -- old and new -- together. Please give me your vote in November, and let me continue to work for you. Thank you.

CarruthersForCommission.com Paid by Heather Carruthers, Democrat, for BOCC, Dist. 3

By Mandy Miles

VOTE

Experts worry COVID will infect elections Could the coronavirus infect the democratic process?

Election experts from both sides of the aisle are growing increasingly concerned about an assortment of variables: voter suppression due to uneven health restrictions and stay-home orders among states and counties; an unprecedented demand for printed, mail-in ballots from understaffed election offices and an impoverished postal service; dozens of potential complaints that could invalidate results; presidential musings about a postponement he has no authority to impose and early assumptions by the president of fraudulent results from mail-in voting.

What could possibly go wrong?

The president’s stated concerns about mail-in ballots being potentially fraudulent while absentee ballots, he said, are fine, have stirred up confusion, as there is no difference between the two.

“Voting rights experts say there is no difference between the terms mail-in voting and absentee voting, and some jurisdictions such as Florida have scrubbed the latter term to avoid confusion among voters,” according to a July 30 article by Andrew Desiderio in Politico.

Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin echoed that statement, and on July 9 sent more than 18,000 vote-by-mail ballots that were requested by voters. Such requests can be made online at keys-elections.org until Aug. 8.

“But mail it back in right away, or drop it off at one of my three elections offices, because I don’t control the post office, so don’t wait until the last minute,” Griffin said.

“In November, 42 states and the District of Columbia will allow any voter, regardless of age, health or location on Election Day, to vote by mail should they

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choose to do so. The remaining eight states, including the large states of Texas and New York, require a valid excuse for a voter to request a vote-by-mail ballot for November.

“Lawmakers from both parties on July 30 said they oppose delaying the election, and many Republicans in particular have touted the merits of voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic,” Desiderio writes for Politico.

“He can suggest whatever he wants. The law is what it is. We’re going to have an election that’s legitimate, it’s going to be credible, it’s going to be the same as we’ve always done it,” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters. “I wish he hadn’t said that. But we’re going to have an election in November, and people should have confidence in it.”

Local election confidence "I have zero worries about a valid vote in Monroe County.

Joyce Griffith runs a tight ship,” said State Rep. Holly Raschein, who is wrapping up her position due to term limits.

Griffin, too, is confident in her office’s ability to handle this year’s elections, both with mail-in ballots and in-person voting.

Early voting started in the Florida Keys on Monday, Aug. 3 and runs until Saturday, Aug. 15. As of July 31, the elections office had received 4,143 vote-by-mail ballots.

Griffin predicted a 35% turnout for the Aug. 18 primary, “but if we stay on this path we may get 40% or over.

“There are vote-by-mail drop boxes at all early voting locations that are being watched by a poll worker, so people can just drive by and drop their ballot,” Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin said, adding that because the Aug. 18 election is a primary, voters from Stock Island through the north end of the county will not get a ballot if they are not registered as a Democrat or Republican. All Key West voters will get a ballot because the city’s mayor’s race is nonpartisan.

“I grew up in South Florida, where my mom raised four kids as a single parent on a public school teacher’s salary. I’ll always put hardworking families first.”

J AV I E R

Protecting Our Local Economy Javier has led the fight to help working people devastated and displaced by COVID-19 get the benefits they need.

He’ll keep fighting to protect our local small businesses and every hardworking family.

Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Javier cosponsored the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Investing in Education Javier will fight to raise teacher pay, invest in school safety, and fully fund Monroe County Public Schools.

Combatting Climate Change As a father of two, Javier feels a strong sense of responsibility to combat climate change and keep our water clean for the next generation.

ENDORSED BY:

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY JAVIER FERNANDEZ, DEMOCRAT FOR STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 39

@ElectJavier

By Mandy Miles

Key West Voters Decide Cruise Ship Debate in November Key West voters will decide three separate, binding referendums on Nov. 3 to potentially: limit the size of cruise ships that visit Key West; limit the number of people who come ashore on any given day and give priority to cruise lines with the best environmental and health records.

Information from both sides of the issue is available from the Key West Chamber of Commerce and the Key West Committee for Safer Cleaner Ships Ballot questions Voters in Key West will be asked to answer “yes” or “no” to the following: • Shall the number of persons disembarking from cruise ships be limited to a total of not more than 1,500 persons per day at any and all public and privately owned or leased property located within the municipal boundary of the City of Key West?

• Shall cruise ships with the capacity to carry 1,300 or more persons (passengers and crew) be prohibited from disembarking individuals at any and all public or privately owned or leased property located within the municipal boundary of the City of Key West?

• Shall the City of Key West give preference and priority to cruise ships and cruise lines that have the best environmental record … and best health record?

Business group opposes 2 of 3 proposals The Key West Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted on July 8 to support the ballot question that prioritizes environmentally friendly ships, but voted not to support the other two questions about size and capacity.

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“We have and always will support the environment, but these new restrictions would prohibit ships like the Disney ships and the new Virgin Voyages cruise ship from visiting Key West,” chamber president Greg Sullivan said. “Our biggest concern is unintended consequences. The city is already making plans to eliminate police and fire positions if the referendums pass and the city loses tens of millions of dollars in cruise ship revenues.”

The chamber’s executive vice president Scott Atwell reported that under the committee’s proposed criteria, the number of cruise ship port calls in Key West would drop from 417 to about 22, representing a 95% reduction.

The Safer Cleaner Ships Committee leaders say a number of smaller ships that would meet the proposed new size criteria are currently operating in the Caribbean, but bypassing Key West.

“But when we asked the committee why these smaller ships don’t currently visit Key West, he didn’t know,” said Sullivan. “And when we asked whether he had been in contact with any of these smaller ships to see if they would come here, he said that’s not the committee’s job.”

Committee defends proposed changes The committee says the Key West Chamber of Commerce “doesn’t consider the negative economic costs of large cruise ships. Nor does the chamber acknowledge the environmental damage and health risks of large cruise ships.

“These amendments will promote the smaller, safer cruise ships that are the fastest-growing sector of the cruise industry,” committee treasurer Arlo Haskell said. “The vast majority of jobs in Key West see no benefit whatsoever from cruise ships. And for many of those that do, cruise ships make up a fraction of the day-to-day business.

The committee also claims, “Large cruise ships cause chronic water quality issues that kill the coral reefs and seagrass beds the fishery depends on.” But local business owners that support cruise ships say no environmental study has ever concluded that cruise ships damage coral reefs.

“The Chamber wants you to think the referenda will put people out of work,” the committee leaders said.

“The truth is they represent a few wealthy businessmen who value big profits over the health and safety of our community. Key West’s workforce literally cannot survive if we keep catering to large cruise ships.”

ROBBY MAJESKA

FOR MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 KEY LARGO/ TAVERNIER

I’m running for this position to protect the rights and liberties of our citizens by ensuring fiscal responsibility, countywide communication, and preserving our quality of life.

I want to give back to this community, a community that my family and I are proud to call home.

Proven leadership that lowered the cost of living for Key Largo/Tavernier as a commissioner on the Wastewater Board for over 10 years.

Homeowner and Small Business Owner in Key Largo for over 22 years.

For More Information: Robby For Monroe County www.Robby-for-Commissioner.com

VOTE ROBBY MAJESKA AUGUST 18TH Political advertisement paid for and approved by Robby Majeska Republican for Monroe County Commissioner

NOTICE TO MONROE COUNTY REGISTERED VOTERS

PRIMARY ELECTION EARLY VOTING August 3 - August 15 | 8:30 - 5:00

GENERAL ELECTION EARLY VOTING

PREC. #1 NEW: Elks Lodge #551 3201 Flagler Avenue Ste. 513 KEY WEST

October 19 - October 31 | 8:30 - 5:00

PREC. #9 NEW: Key West Public Works Dept., 3420 Northside Dr. KEY WEST Prec. #10 NEW: Key West Public Works Dept., 3420 Northside Dr. KEY WEST Prec. #15 NEW: First Baptist Church 300 Key Deer Blvd.

BIG PINE KEY

EARLY VOTING SITES FOR COUNTY ELECTIONS SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICES 530 Whitehead St #101, Key West 10015 Overseas Hwy, Marathon 102050 Overseas Hwy, #137, Key Largo

Other Locations Big Pine Key Community Park End of Sands Road, 31009 Atlantis Dr., Big Pine Key Islamorada Branch Library U.S. Hwy, 1, MM. 81.7 Islamorada

Please thank your Poll Workers for their courage in serving during this pandemic by the simple courtesy of wearing a mask.

R. Joyce GrifямБn Supervisor of Elections Monroe County www.KeysElections.org

U.S. House of Representatives Florida’s 26th District

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Lt. Omar Blanco will face off in the Aug. 18 Republican primary. The victor will challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie MucarselPowell in November.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED EACH CANDIDATE: 1. Assess Florida and South Florida’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

2. How would you secure federal funding and implement projects to make the Florida Keys more resilient to sea level rise?

3. How will you support Florida Keys residents?

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OFFICE SALARY: $174,000

Lt. Omar Blanco, 48 Republican Miami-Dade Fire Rescue 1. As in my profession as a firefighter, we need to be the calm, not the chaos.

Swift and firm decisions are important, but knee-jerk reactions, like shutting down our economy, will have longterm implications that will far outlast this pandemic.

This isn’t about who’s right; this is about doing the right thing.

2. Sea level rise is a concern that people in the Florida Keys are seeing themselves.

Allocating the appropriate funding will be one of my priorities and... will be based on a collaboration of data, local testimony and good old common sense.

3. While the rest of the world is building skyscrapers, in the Keys we must keep evolving without sacrificing its traditions, authenticity, and festive character.

Carlos Gimenez, 66 Republican Miami-Dade County Mayor 1. I’ve worked with healthcare and medical experts to create and implement policies that promote the health and safety of our community. And while it pains me to see people’s livelihoods impacted, I’ve worked diligently to strike the appropriate balance between public health and economic needs. There will be plenty of time to look back and evaluate the thousands of daily decisions made in the last few months and it will be very important to study the lessons so our communities can be prepared for future pandemics.

2. I would work to secure federal funds that increase resiliency through projects that promote mitigation and re-investment in our economy.

I commit to building from the ... extensive knowledge I gained overseeing MiamiDade’s Capital Improvement Project designed to improve environmental sustainability through planning for future climate changes and sea level rise.

3. In Congress, I’ll bring commonsense leadership to policy debates and the bill drafting process so the Keys are included each step of the way.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 49 Democrat Incumbent 1. Working with doctors and leaders across South Florida, Monroe County and Miami-Dade, we agree things should have been handled differently. We need to listen to and amplify the voices of our public health experts, and implement their recommendations.

That includes expanding the testing, contact tracing, and quarantine system, and implementing a statewide mask requirement to slow the spread.

2. I’m working to combat the causes of sea level rise and fund projects to protect our community from rising tides. I helped pass the Moving Forward Act to protect coastal communities from climate change, sealevel rise, and stronger, more frequent storms, and includes my legislation to fund shovel-ready resiliency projects that create jobs in fisheries- and tourismdependent communities.

3. From the housing crisis to inaccessible health care ... I’m working in Congress to address these pocketbook issues I hear about every day from constituents.

State Senate District 39

OFFICE SALARY: $29,697

State Sen. Anitere Flores terms out at the end of this year after 10 years representing the Florida Keys.

Democrats Daniel Horton-Diaz and Javier Fernandez will square off in the Aug. 18 primary.

Ana Maria Rodriguez is the sole Republican candidate. The race also includes Celso Alfonso, who has no party affiliation. He didn’t respond to the Weekly’s questions.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: 1. What efforts would you make to ensure the dollars from the Sadowski Fund go to support affordable housing and projects in the Keys, and not be spent on other projects?

2. What's the key to getting other state legislators and the governor on board to cap Keys windstorm insurance rates?

Javier E. Fernandez, 44 Democrat Attorney 1. For far too long, we've watched our friends and family leave due to the high cost of housing. As your state senator, I will work to ensure that funding earmarked for affordable housing is used for affordable housing, that the Florida Keys maintain local control of building and zoning regulations, and that residents’ quality of life is not only preserved, but improved for generations to come.

2. In 2020 we must elect experienced, independent leaders willing to stand up to the insurance companies and their lobbyists. I will answer only to you, the voter.

We cannot continue to allow insurance companies to pick our leaders and expect anything to change. It is unconscionable that folks are being priced out of their homes by windstorm insurance while facing a public health crisis and affordable housing shortfall.

Florida Keys residents can count on me to stand up to the insurance companies, who will no doubt fund the campaigns of my opponents, and "bring the fight to them."

Daniel “Dan” Horton-Diaz, 35 Democrat FIU College of Law alumni, former state Senate legislative aide, nonprofit director, congressional district chief of staff 1. The Stewardship Act is critical to our natural resources. With the highest cost of living in Florida, the average Keys family spends nearly half its income on rent. We need housing for teachers, first responders and healthcare workers. Over the past decade, more than $2 billion from the Sadowski fund has been used for other purposes. Pre-pandemic, there was bipartisan support to dedicate these funds exclusively to affordable housing. I will happily cosponsor this legislation.

2. Monroe residents pay the highest premiums in Florida and for 15 years have paid $805 million more in premiums than they have received in claims. I will work to have the county’s strict building codes calculated into catastrophic model loss projections and create alliances with other coastal communities for wind insurance rate reform. I also support capping Citizens’ Insurance rate glidepath at 5% for five years.

Ana Maria Rodriguez, 43 Republican House of Representatives District 105 (2018 Current) 1. I have supported funding the Sadowski Fund, as was done this past year when the budget was passed.

I have supported using federal disaster relief dollars for affordable housing, including in the Keys. I will continue to support those efforts and believe the state is finally on the right track in prioritizing those issues.

2. Sadly, yes, efforts to cap wind rates have been unsuccessful despite Monroe County’s stringent building codes. Keys residents should not be penalized. The Keys warrant a carve-out from existing state windstorm rate statutes. We must attract more insurance carriers and open the market to allow coverage only for wind so they can avoid other policy coverages for risks like water, mold, fire and other costly claims.

keysweekly.com

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R

T C E

• CONSERVATIVE • EXPERIENCE • KNOWLEDGE • COMMITMENT

STEPHEN HAMMOND Paid political advertisement by Stephen Hammond, Republican

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Endorsed by Commissioner Sylvia Murphy

COMMITTED * PROVEN LEADERSHIP * SUCCESSFUL MAJOR CRIME PROSECUTIONS * TOUGH ON CRIME * TOUGH ON VIOLATIONS OF NATURAL RESOURCES * DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY

ABOUT DENNIS • • • • • •

USMC Vietnam Veteran Retired Law Enforcement Officer Former Assistant State Attorney Former Assistant Public Defender State Attorney, 2008-2012, 2016-present Member, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association • Member, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Transition Team • Owned and operated a successful law practice specializing in Criminal Law, Divorce Law, and Labor and Employment Law • Past Quartermaster, Veterans of Foreign War, Key Largo Post • Current, Post Commander, Veterans of Foreign War, Key Largo Post • Junior Vice Commander, Veterans of Foreign War Florida, District #5 • Member, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Tavernier • Member, American Legion • Member, Business and Professional Women/Upper Keys • Member, Islamorada Moose Lodge, where I founded and currently Chair the Seafood and Art Festival and the BaconFest that benefit scholarships for local high school students

RE-ELECT

• Past President, Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police • Member, Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police • Organizer, WoundedWarrior Soldier Ride for the past 16 years in South Beach and the Upper Keys • Member, Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Islamorada, and Marathon Chambers of Commerce • Member, Coastal Conservation Association Florida • Past Member, Islamorada Long-Term Planning Board • Past Councilman, Islamorada, Village of Islands Seat #2 • Past Adjunct Professor, The College of the Florida Keys, Law Enforcement Academy • Past Board Member, Treasure Village Montessori Charter School • Past Board Member, The Good Health Clinic • Past Fundraising Co-Chair, The Domestic Abuse Shelter

“LET’S KEEP MONROE COUNTY SAFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS, OUR VISITORS, AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.” I respectfully request your vote on August 18th and November 3rd

Dennis W. Ward Paid Political Advertisement Paid and Approved by Dennis W. Ward, Republican for State Attorney, Monroe County, Florida

State Representative District 120

OFFICE SALARY: $29,697

Three Republican candidates and one Democrat vie to take the reins of the Keys and south Miami-Dade from Republican State Rep. Holly Raschein, who terms out at the end of the year after eight years in office.

Jim Mooney, Rhonda Rebman Lopez and Alexandria Suarez are vying for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 18 primary. The winner will face Democrat Clint Barras in November.

James (Jim) V. Mooney Jr., 69 Republican Realtor Educating fellow members of the Legislature is key to securing funding for the Stewardship Act. There will be many newcomers to the Legislature after November, and it will be incumbent on me to make sure they understand our status as an Area of Critical State Concern. This designation is a fundamental underpinning of the Stewardship Act, and I‘d wager a guess that most newly elected officials have never heard of it. They must understand that the Stewardship Act promotes a strong environment and economy for the Keys, which in turn benefits the state’s economy and appeal as a tourist destination.

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Rhonda Rebman Lopez, 55 Republican President/Owner, Peco International Electric Although the Governor vetoed funding this year, he did assure governmental bodies and communities that perhaps those vetoed projects would be given preference next year if brought back, since they have already been vetted.

The Governor has clearly demonstrated a desire to preserve and protect our environment, and I believe that he will absolutely have the appetite next year to approve funding for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, should it make it into the budget. That said, I would absolutely sponsor and advocate for this legislation to be passed, with the same tenacity and passion that Representative Raschein did.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: The Florida Keys Stewardship Act funding was vetoed by the governor to offset the state's financial losses from the pandemic.

What efforts would you take to encourage the inclusion of this funding next year?

Alexandria Suarez, 49 Republican Assistant State Attorney, Monroe County It is disappointing that FKSA funds were vetoed, but is in no way reflective of its value. The pandemic forced the largest budget veto in Florida history. Next year may be equally difficult.

Gov. DeSantis continues to advance his promise of Everglades restoration.

My goal as State Representative is to ensure our projects remain at the heart of restoration efforts and that we restore funding.

I will work relentlessly to earn support from fellow legislators. I would not only bring the Florida Keys to Tallahassee (Florida Keys Day), but also bring Tallahassee to the Florida Keys to experience its unique ecosystem and understand what is at stake.

Clint Barras, 50 Democrat Vice President, Two Oceans Digital I heard a saying once, 'Show me your budget, and I will show you your priorities.'

While our State is facing unprecedented financial stress due to the pandemic, including almost 1.5 million unemployed Floridians, increased costs to our local governments, and compound that with our State's regressive sales tax system which collapses when tourists stop coming, and our businesses are forced to close or limit occupancy, with all of this, our Governor and Legislature still gave $543 billion as a tax refund to the state's largest corporations.

I believe that in Florida, our environment is our economy. I will fight to put Florida's environment, families and communities first.

State Attorney 16th Judicial Circuit

The race for State Attorney, or top prosecutor, of the 16th Judicial Circuit includes two challengers — Democrat Donald Barrett and Republican Mark Kohl — facing incumbent Republican Dennis Ward.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: 1. If elected, what’s the top priority for your first 30 to 60 days in office?

2. What types of crimes should be prosecuted more often in Monroe County? What crimes should be prosecuted less often?

OFFICE SALARY: $169,554

Mark E. Kohl, 64 Republican Retired 1. Meet with each assistant state attorney individually and make sure they are willing to follow the ethics rules required by The Florida Bar and myself.

Require each assistant state attorney to complete The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Ethics course for prosecutors.

2. It is the job of the State Attorney to enforce the laws created by the legislature. The State Attorney should not second guess the legislature and decide which laws they will not enforce. That being said, repeat offenders should be pursued more aggressively.

A large number of offenses are committed by a small number of people. It is those repeat offenders who need to be more aggressively pursued. About 25 years ago the legislature recognized this and created the habitual offender laws that have resulted in a crime rate that has gone down continuously since those habitual offender laws were enacted.

Dennis W. Ward, 68 Republican Incumbent 1. My office has completed an unprecedented technology upgrade for digital courtroom media, and for servers, systems and hardware (including laptops). This allowed all employees to work safely remotely during the pandemic, and future situations. With this new infrastructure, we anticipate moving to a largely paperless system, which will greatly increase office efficiency, reduce costs and become environmentally friendly.

2. When there is evidence a crime was committed, the culpable party should be prosecuted. The concern is the penalty that serves the ends of justice for the victims and the safety of the public.

I will continue to seek harsh penalties for all crimes of violence, sexual assault against adults and minors, marine and wildlife violations, illegal contracting and crimes committed during a state of emergency. My prosecutors bring more than 100 years combined experience to my mission of seeking justice for all crime victims.

Donald C. Barrett, 49 Democrat Donald C. Barrett, P.A. (selfemployed, solo law practice) 1. I would immediately provide the leadership, vision and oversight that has been missing at the State Attorney’s Office.

I will personally assist assistant state attorneys and investigate the need for a conviction integrity unit to review convictions obtained by the current state attorney. I would place the right people in positions to ensure efficient, effective work and proper legal training for newer employees.

2. The current administration has shown a lack of zeal in prosecuting domestic violence cases when the victim recants or is otherwise uncooperative.

I have successfully, and will aggressively, prosecute such cases within the bounds of the law. My office will focus on violent crimes, crimes against persons and career criminals. For petty offenses, which often stem from mental illness or substance abuse, the focus will be on education and rehabilitation.

keysweekly.com

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LARRY

ZETTWOCH for

VILLAGE COUNCIL SEAT 5

• Common Sense • Courtesy • Fiscal Conservative • Protect our Waters

ving I have been sereer my entire car sider it and would confurther a privilege to ge serve the Villa in of Islamorada5.

Council Seat

~ Larry

# LarryZ4council.com E @LarryZ4council m 305-664-2848 k LVZettwoch@gmail.com

Respect Islamorada

PREPARED AND PAID BY LARRY ZETTWOCH CAMPAIGN SEAT 5, PO BOX 1913, ISLAMORADA, FL 33036

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Restore Accountability

Thank you for entrusting me to serve as your Clerk for a second term.

It is an honor to serve the citizens of Monroe County each and every day KEVIN MADOK, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller 500 Whitehead St, Key West 305.292.3550 Paid for by Kevin Madok, Republican for Clerk of Court.

CARLOS GIMENEZ

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR US HOUSE, FL 26TH DISTRICT BRINGING EXPERIENCE AND COMMONSENSE LEADERSHIP TO CONGRESS

I’m Carlos Gimenez. I’m a firefighter, husband, father, and a lifelong public servant. Some people ask me why I’d want to trade our Miami and Keys paradise for the Washington, DC swamp. My answer is simple, I know the consequences of bad decisions on good people.

I believe there is a place for principle in politics but when partisanship gets in the way of progress, there has to be a better way. When I became fire chief and, later, city manager, I didn’t see Republicans or Democrats, I saw South Floridians. I worked towards commonsense solutions that would address problems we all face. There wasn’t a place for rhetoric in those jobs: they demanded results.

I finally got fed up with the politicians in Miami and I said: why not me? I ran for Miami-Dade County Commission and then for Mayor. I’ve cut budgets, eliminated government waste, and worked every day to streamline government. I can’t say that’s always made me the most popular guy but I can say it’s led to a record of economic growth, less taxes, and a government that Miami-Dade residents can be proud of.

Lots of politicians will come here and tell you what you want to hear. That they’ll fix all your problems.

That they haven’t been able to deliver because of someone else. That they just need one more term to get it done. I haven’t had that luxury as Mayor. The buck stops with me.

PAID FOR BY CARLOS GIMENEZ FOR CONGRESS

I’m here to tell you that I’ll always do the right thing for Florida’s 26th district, even if it doesn’t make me the most popular guy on the block. I won’t rest until I get the Keys the help they need with federal issues and any other issue it has. I know the largest landowner in the Florida Keys is the federal government. I know this slice of paradise has issues that no other part of the nation has and that working to protect our environment means working to protect our Keys economy.

I’m looking forward to meeting each of you along the way and to hear what you have to say. If you see me, please come say hello. I’m ready to take on the political fires that face the Keys. I’ve never run away from a fire and I’m not going to run away from the ones that threaten your way of life and your families here in Monroe County.

Sincerely, Carlos Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade & Candidate for Congress, FL26

Key West Mayor OFFICE SALARY: $22,500

Rick Haskins, Teri Johnston and Mark Rossi want the center seat on the Key West City Commission. If one of them gets a one-vote majority in August, the chair is theirs, and the nonpartisan race will be decided in the primary.

Otherwise, the top two candidates head to a November runoff. Rossi and Haskins challenge incumbent Johnston, elected in 2018.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED EACH CANDIDATE: 1. If voters approve the cruise ship referendums in November, how concerned are you about the city's liability and the cost of potential lawsuits from business and property owners?

2. A group of small business owners recently formed Mom & Pop Key West, seeking a voice in the city they say they haven't had before. What can the city do to support small businesses in these economically devastating times while facing its own budget shortfalls?

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Rick Haskins, 47 Real Estate Broker/Owner How many years have you lived in Key West: All of my life and my family 5 generations 1. Voters will not approve the referenda if they act from knowledge. I will support whatever the voters decide, but voters should be factually informed and not voting based on arguments intended to play on emotion. I believe voters will agree we should encourage ships with the best environmental record and not limit ships and passengers to arbitrary numbers that have nothing to do with the actual safety of the ships. Reasonable limitations should be based on justification. It is apparent that cruise ships are not coming back any time soon and face their own set of challenges ...

2. This falls in line with the priorities of my platform, which intends to engage the community, work toward solutions that represent all residents and take action.

This would do a better job of listening to the entire community as a whole. Key West has always boasted pride in our local Mom and Pop shops. We must allow them to operate as stakeholders by involving all businesses in our advertising and promoting of Key West. Who better to help solve the issues than the individuals who face them every day?

Teri Johnston, 69 Incumbent How many years have you lived in Key West: 21 1. That question would be better directed to our legal department. Our City Commission is going to convene, in closed session, on Aug. 4, to discuss the action brought against the City by the (4) bar pilots. I should be able to answer this question more directly following our closed session discussion with our legal department, Senior City staff, and our Commission.

2. First, we must recognize that 90% of our small businesses are not members of either the Chamber or the Guild, so we have to find an avenue to give them a voice.

The formation of the Mom and Pops is a great start.

To support small businesses, we will be convening an interdisciplinary task force to address the challenges of our local economy/small businesses led by our Strategic Planning consultant, Elisa Levy.

Second, we have to get healthy as a community so that small businesses can stay open.

Also, we have brought forward a balanced budget with no shortfalls.

Mark Rossi, 59 Owner/operator of Dirty Harry’s/Rick’s Entertainment Complex How many years have you lived in Key West: 40 1. I am extremely concerned.

Takings cases could be in the tens of millions of dollars.

As Mayor, I will work with business and property owners that are most affected to minimize the potential financial losses that might occur.

2. As a business leader in the community I will work extremely hard to support the mom-and-pop businesses, making sure they will have a voice that is heard. I started as a small business, so I both understand and empathize with these businesses in these devastating times.

ELECT

PETE BACHELER TO VILLAGE COUNCIL SEAT 1 An honest, fiscal conservative dedicated to better government through a community-first approach.

peteforcouncil.com

• 35 year Islamorada resident • Village Land Planning Agency (LPA), chairman (2014-present) • Review Committee for Village Manager, Co-Chair • 35 years experience as a private consultant for land planning and zoning • Past President Upper Keys Rotary Club • Member: American Legion Post 145 & Islamorada Moose • College of the Florida Keys, adjunct professor (1999-present) • U.S. Navy Submariner

Paid for by Pete Bacheler Candidate for Village Council Seat 1

2020

COUNTY COMMISSIONER District 5 Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jose Peixoto, NPA for County Commissioner District 5

keysweekly.com 23

RICK HASKINS FOR MAYOR

5TH GENERATION CONCH WHO WILL BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

24

Proudly Endorsed by POLICE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION AND KEY WEST FIRE FIGHTERS UNION

HASKINS COMMITMENT TO

>> BRINGING BACK BUSINESS TO PROSPER >> PROTECTING KEY WEST ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS >> MAKING KEY WEST AFFORDABLE TO LIVE AND TO WORK

Working to adapt for sustainable livelihood.

We cannot shut down this island community.

We will listen to all the doctors, not just the select few that we want to hear from. It is important to bring the community to the table and offer them the opportunity to be a stakeholder in an action plan.

Nobody has been a bigger advocate for masks than I have. I have passed out over 1,000 masks and buffs since this campaign started. But the city should not mandate universal masking in a manner that is beyond common sense.

Covid-19 and some well-meaning, but ultimately misguided policies, have devastated our economic

engine, the Hospitality Industry. It’s workers are the backbone of OUR town. As your full-time mayor, I won't take a cent in salary. Instead, I'll donate it to charities supporting our financially devastated hospitality works.

When Key West is hit by a hurricane we come together, lock arms, and rebuild our community.

In the same way, Key West needs a leader that will bring our community together to face this situation.

We cannot sustain life by locking down the island and waiting for a vaccine. Key West will make its own destiny instead of waiting for the state or federal government to come to our rescue.

— Rick Paid for by Rick Haskins for Mayor

VOTE AUGUST 18TH FOR A STAKE IN OUR COMMUNITY EARLY VOTING AUGUST 3-15

Monroe County Commission District 1

OFFICE SALARY: $46,851

The political races are on for three of the five Monroe County Commission seats — District 1, District 3 and District 5.

In District 1, incumbent Republican Craig Cates faces Democratic challenger Annalise Mannix.

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Cates to the county commission in December 2019 to complete the term of Danny Kolhage that ends Nov. 17, 2020. Tax collector Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez withdrew from the race on June 10.

The District 3 race pits incumbent Democrat Heather Carruthers against Republican political newcomer and professional land surveyor Eddie Martinez.

In District 5, two Republicans — Mike Forster and Robby Majeska — and one non-party affiliated candidate, Jose Peixoto, are vying to succeed Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, who isn’t seeking re-election.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: 1. What should Monroe County have done differently in response to the coronavirus pandemic?

2. What must Monroe County do to encourage and enable more affordable housing options in the Keys?

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Craig C. Cates, 66 Republican Incumbent 1. Everyone is working with the best information available and is responding in real-time.

Now is the time for us as leaders to listen, understand, and answer with action. Evaluating and improving our course of action is a continual and ongoing process — now is not the time for "Monday morning quarterbacking," as we continue to face an ongoing pandemic.

We will have an open and honest evaluation of the county's response in the future and will bring the knowledge and lessons learned as an organization into our planning moving forward.

2. We must work together to find creative solutions to our housing shortage and to protect the affordable housing that we already have. This includes working with our state and federal delegation to maintain local control and providing incentives for landlords to rent affordably. I am using my experience working with our representatives to help facilitate these efforts right now. We should look at increasing density with restrictions where it makes sense.

We must make sure we protect and preserve our neighborhoods, our health and safety, and our quality of life.

Annalise Mannix, 57 Democrat Planning and Development Engineering Manager 1. Let’s be fair. Leading the response to a worldwide pandemic comes from the top – national and state directives. Monroe County established checkpoints that helped protect citizens immensely. Their two-week experiment with ‘requiring masks,’ just when the County was just opening up, was less successful. I would have required masks in order to send a message to returning visitors – “WEAR YOUR MASK!” After Hurricane Irma, the County knew it had an emergency pay problem.

They should have fixed it sooner. Yes, some employees faced increased risk working with COVID-19, but not 90% of the County employees.

2. Who doesn’t want to live in Paradise?

Demand outstrips supply and property values soar. This long environmentally sensitive chain of islands can only handle so much housing before our narrow highway restricts safe evacuation.

Were there a silver bullet, the problem would have been solved long ago.

Focusing our efforts on housing for workers rather than retirees will help. Increasing workforce housing building height and density will help.

Awarding and implementing ROGOs in a mix of rents that match the real workforce need helps. Putting large apartment complexes within or close to employment centers with bicycles, scooters and bus transport helps.

Monroe County Commission District 3

OFFICE SALARY: $46,851

Heather Carruthers, 61 Democrat Incumbent 1. I wish we had been aware earlier — but that's true not just of our County.

The biggest problem for the County was that the State of Emergency triggered the emergency pay plan that was designed to ensure we had employees to respond to a hurricane, and this was a very different kind of event. We should have never gone to emergency pay. We fixed it as soon as we caught it, but that was too late.

2. We have limited land and high cost of construction due to our building strength requirements and our distance from the mainland....After Irma, I advocated for streamlining the approval process (still allowing multiple opportunities for public input) to lower the cost and decrease the time it takes to build workforce developments. We must allow some increases in density in areas close to employment centers to make it worthwhile to build. I advocate dedicating all our unspoken-for future building rights (ROGOs) for affordable housing. We also need to encourage owners of multiple properties to rent to full-time residents at affordable rates.

Eddie A. Martinez, 45 Republican Professional Surveyor & Mapper; president of Monroe County Surveying & Mapping, Inc. 1. This county is in need of a big reboot.

Many departments are dysfunctional with no qualified leadership at the top. Let's start by not doing what Carruthers did to us by overpaying in overtime, double time and triple time to the ones who did NOT need it.

2. Proper planning. We have never had it. Use our spaces wisely. Incorporate affordability in the design of new structures, give incentives to builders to make them permanent and actually ensure it's going to those who need it, not just to anyone making up or faking the paperwork.

WHERE TO VOTE? Precincts of Monroe County • Precinct 1: Elks Lodge, 3201 Flagler Ave., Key West • Precinct 2: Key West High School Auditorium, 2100 Flagler Ave., Key West • Precinct 3: Key West High School Auditorium • Precinct 4: Martin Luther King Pool, 300 Catherine St., Key West • Precinct 5: Keys Energy Utility Board Room, 1001 James St., Key West • Precinct 6: Gato Building, 1st floor, 1100 Simonton St., Key West • Precinct 7: Moose Club, 700 Eisenhower Dr., Key West, • Precinct 8: Glad Tiding Tabernacle, 1209 United St., Key West • Precinct 9: Former KW Citizen building, 3420 Northside Dr., Key West • Precinct 10: Former KW Citizen building, 3420 Northside Dr., Key West • Precinct 11: Bernstein Park, 6751 5th St., Stock Island • Precinct 12: Big Coppitt Fire Station, 28 Emerald Drive, Big Coppitt Key • Precinct 13: Sugarloaf Baptist Church, 260 Crane Blvd.

• Precinct 14: Sugarloaf Baptist Church, 260 Crane Blvd.

• Precinct 15: First Baptist Church, 300 Key Deer Blvd., Big Pine (Summerland voters) • Precinct 16: First Baptist Church Big Pine Key • Precinct 17: Big Pine Community Park Center, 31009 Atlantis • Precinct 18: American Legion Marathon, 4115 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 19: 1st Baptist Church of Marathon, 200 62nd St., ocean • Precinct 20: Presbyterian Kirk of the Keys, 8877 Overseas Hwy., Marathon • Precinct 21: Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 22: Key Colony Beach City Hall, 600 W. Ocean Drive • Precinct 23: Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 24: Islamorada Branch Library, 81500 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 25: Plantation Key Courtroom B, 88820 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 26: Immanuel Lutheran Church Tavernier, 108 Ocean Drive • Precinct 27: Elks Club, Tavernier, 92600 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 28: Key Largo Civic Club, 209 Ocean Bay Drive • Precinct 29: Key Largo Civic Club, 209 Ocean Bay Dr. • Precinct 30: Monroe County Library, Key Largo, 101485 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 31: Monroe County Library, Key Largo, 101485 Overseas Hwy. • Precinct 32: Key Largo Baptist Church, 835 Largo Road, Key Largo • Precinct 33: The Academy at Ocean Reef, 395 South Harbor Dr., Key Largo

see page 28 for Monroe County Commission, District 5

keysweekly.com 27

Monroe County Commission District 5

OFFICE SALARY: $46,851

2020

Mike Forster, 60 Robby Majeska, 67 Republican Republican Owner & Operator Mangrove Mike’s Owner of Keys Kritters Pet Cafe Islamorada, Mangrove Mike’s Cafe Store, Key Largo @ Bud & Mary’s Marina, Rain Barrel 1. While I am happy with most Artisan Village (partner), Mangrove of the things were done, Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved

by Jose way Peixoto, NPA for County Commissioner District 5 Mike’s Endeavors Paying Forward some missteps such as the nonprofit payroll overtime scandal 1. All and all, I believe it is fair to should have been avoided. say that Monroe County’s fiveThe main change I would like person Emergency Management to have done is to have our Administrative Team did a good job, and local licensed medical doctors that is reflective of the limited number throughout the Keys join in the of COVID-19 cases and deaths prior to decisions we make. Scientific the checkpoint coming down. But, there facts should be guiding our is plenty of room for revisiting the political decision makers. protocols of how this five-person board 2. Government regulations are operates and sets policy. It took me the main cause of affordable many meetings to get any traction on housing shortages in the instituting the checkpoint. Those that country and county. We need were on the call, 150-plus participants, to re-examine the needs for can corroborate that. More inclusion many of our building and by elected partners throughout the zoning regulations. The use County, and a lot more testing! of residentially-zoned houses 2. Unfortunately, the county has fewer as commercial vacation than 10 affordable allocations left at rentals must be curtailed. A this moment. In the past two years residential house used as they made the right decision to vote a vacation rental business in favor of private affordable housing should be zoned and taxed developments in excess of 400-500 as a business, with all the units. The only way to continue this regulations and requirements much-needed forward progress in that motel, hotel or order to retain our essential workers, guesthouses are mandated. i.e. first responders, teachers, public defender’s office, state attorney’s office etc., is to accept the additional 300 units offered from the DEO.

Jose F. Peixoto, 59 No party affiliation General housing maintenance 1. They should have closed the Florida Keys to non-residents way before they did and not open yet. I understand the tourism business, but at this moment the safety and health of Monroe County residents is much more important.

Everybody has to sacrifice. The federal government is offering monetary assistance to help small and big businesses.

The coronavirus situation is something unique. I think the BOCC has done the best they can, besides my idea to keep the Keys closed to tourism.

2. A great percentage of the need for affordable housing comes from the people working in the hotel business, where the TDC collected over $50 million for its budget.

They should designate a big percentage of that money to affordable housing. (Anybody have any idea where that money goes?) We should work with the federal (FEMA) and state government to make all Illegal downstairs apartments to be legal. Right there we're gonna create thousands of affordable workforce housing.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER District 5

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Key West City Commission District III

OFFICE SALARY: $20,000

Key West voters may select two City Commission representatives on Aug. 18, with two candidates seeking the District III seat and three running in District VI. Kimball Ingram is challenging incumbent Commissioner Billy Wardlow in District III, a nonpartisan race that will be decided in August. In District VI, Commissioner Clayton Lopez faces two challengers, Ryan Barnett and John Wilson Smith.

If one candidate in District VI receives one vote more than 50% of those cast, the race will be decided in August. If no one receives the required majority, the top two candidates in District VI will go to a November runoff.

Only voters who live in the city district vote for the city commissioner.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: 1. How will you vote on the cruise ship referendums, and why?

2. How do you envision Key West's economic recovery from the coronavirus?

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Kimball Ingram, 50 Owner Aquaholics Charters and Aqua Nightclub How many years have you lived in Key West: 25+ years 1. I will vote in favor of the referendum prioritizing environmental records for cruise ships. Key West’s main draw is its relationship with nature. Anything that preserves that relationship is a good thing. I am voting against the limited size and limits on daily disembarkation referendums. I don’t disagree with the intent but think in each case the restrictions are akin to a ban. Better to work on limiting total numbers per annum and knowing there is actually a demand from smaller ships to come before we destroy a whole market supporting numerous businesses.

2. Although the hotels will remain, rates will take a hit and therefore the tax revenue will be less. Bars and restaurants are being scapegoated and their struggles are compounded by the city and state blaming hospitality for the continued COVID crisis. I believe the city will have to decrease the size of departments across the board and will need to be creative in reinventing how they work with business in the future. Key West will recover but will need to become much better at being efficient and consistent in their demands of what they ask from local businesses.

Billy Wardlow, 65 Incumbent How many years have you lived in Key West: 65 1. Everyone's vote is a personal right. However, I would like to see limited, safe and healthy cruise ships come into Key West.

2. The city has gone above and beyond in trying to control the spread of COVID-19. This has been a worldwide pandemic and hopefully runs its course, but the recovery will be a city/ countywide effort. The vision I would like to see is involving the residents and visitors together to help in bringing business back into all of Key West. The downtown business area would also greatly improve by including the locals’ participation, not just the visitors’.

Key West City Commission District VI

OFFICE SALARY: $20,000

Ryan Barnett, 36 Chiropractor; owner of Key West Chiropractic How long have you lived in Key West? I was born in Key West 1. I am the only candidate that has signed all three petitions to place these referenda on the ballot.

I will be voting YES on all three referenda in November. As citizens we have a rare opportunity to control the narrative instead of being overrun by the large corporate interests of the cruise ship industry. If we don’t stand firm for our waters, our island, our public health, and our future, then we are allowing outside corporate interests to determine our fate.

2. The current business environment in Key West is unbearable. I’m a small business owner, from a family of small business owners. Our small businesses need a larger voice in the city’s policy-making process.

And I don’t mean the same four or five big business owners that have been calling the shots for the past thirty years. I will make it easier for our local mom and pop businesses to present their needs and expectations to city government. Small businesses in Key West will thrive again, but we need the City of Key West to prioritize and expedite re-opening.

Clayton L. Lopez, 66 Incumbent How long have you lived in Key West: 63 years (born and raised) 1. I will support the referendum.

Repositioning this island as a top tier port starts with setting the best example. The wellbeing of visitors, locals and the environment are not mutually exclusive. Smaller ships mean less ecological turmoil.

Smaller ships will also mitigate explosive foot traffic on the heels of this pandemic. I am not anti-cruise ships. I am FOR safer and physically smaller ships. In the past when lobbyists wanted to set our priorities, I said no. Our waters. Our reef.

2. Our idea of “normal” is gone.

Take it slow. Believe the science and data. Absent a national economic plan, we have to be our own leaders in developing a recovery.

We must work with municipalities, DOH, stakeholders, and county government to financially buoy unemployed residents while investing in healthcare and COVID- 19 related infrastructure. We might be able to revisit mandatory restrictions and eventually eliminate some, which could springboard our economy.

But, not yet. I believe that cautions learned through this pandemic will linger, as they should.

John Wilson Smith, 62 Born and raised in Key West; moved to Sarasota; returned to Key West in 2010 and have lived here permanently since June 2020.

1. My vote for the referendum will be yes because it reimagines a clear path to a better way for our island to manage environmental concerns regarding our marine ecosystems and suggests a better way for our city to control the number of people that leave the ship so that our economic and environmental resources will not be “overrun.”

Additionally, the referendum will create a way for local government to “prioritize cruise ships with better environmental and public health records” so that there are no health threats to our citizens.

2. I very much support the scientific community (CDC) guidelines outlined to our country’s citizens in February.

Everyone must wear masks, social distance, etc. The country must open up slowly. If our local government will stick to those guidelines, all citizens cooperating, I envision Key West recovering economically, if we keep our infection and death numbers low, but, also, schools will reopen, and all other components of our society, though slowly. We’ll have a new beginning reimagining a new society. We shall have a “new birth” with the end being “One Human Family,” not elitist driven, but driven by all.

keysweekly.com

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Weekly Staff Report

No Challenge The following officials were elected without opposition: Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay (R), Salary: $125,733 Clerk of Courts Kevin Madok (R), Salary: $116,306 Property Appraiser Scott Russell (R), Salary: $116,306 Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin (D), Salary: $116,306 Tax Collector Sam Steele (R), Salary: $116,306 County Judge Mark Wilson (Non), Salary: $151,822 Monroe County School Board member Mindy Conn (Non), Salary: $31,717 Monroe County School Board member Andy Grifiths (Non), Salary: $31,717 Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board member Jill Cranney-Gage (R), Salary: $19,294 Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board member Brandon Pinder (R), Salary: $9,947 (as of 2017) Florida Keys Mosquito Control Board member Stanley Zuba (D), Salary: $9,647

Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley (Non), Salary: $20,000 Key West Utility Board Commissioner Tim Root (Non), Salary: $21,518.28 Key West Utility Board Commissioner Pat Labrada (Non), Salary: $21,518.28 Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Commissioner Kay Cullen (Non), Salary: $10,667 Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Commissioner Sue Heim (Non), Salary: $10,667 Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District Commissioner Nicolas Rodriguez-Moresco (Non), Salary: $10,667 Key Largo Fire Rescue Tony Allen (Non) City of Layton Mayor Bruce Halle (Non) City of Layton Seat Cynthia Lewis (Non)

Top 10 signs you may be backing the wrong candidate:

VOTE 4ME 10. When talking about his “base,” he is actually referring to his Thursday night poker buddies.

9. Her soapbox speeches always end with inspirational quotes from the hit television show, “Alf.” 8. Their campaign mailers are handmade with ridiculous amounts of glitter and glue.

7. Their political Facebook bio proudly asserts, “I am COVID positive!”

6. Their campaign slogan is “Sober Enough.”

5. Their campaign signs include pictures of kittens.

4. Their college degree in "Chiroptera Studies" is accredited to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

3. At political debates, they begin every answer with, “I know you all think I”m lying, but….

2. Their campaign head shot was taken by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in 1998, 2004, 2006, 2014 and 2017.

1. Their advertising disclaimers read, “Paid for By the Interior Ministries of Russian Social Media and Digital Communications Specialists, Inc.”

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Islamorada Village Council OFFICE SALARY: $3,600

Five seats are up for grabs on the Islamorada dais, and four of those will see new faces as the current vice mayor Ken Davis is running unopposed for Seat 4. Candidates filed for office as early as July 2019 and as recently as last February.

KEYS WEEKLY ASKED THE CANDIDATES: If elected, what’s one change you’d propose to provide a better quality of life for residents?

34

SEAT 1 Frank Lavin Resident of Islamorada for four-plus years Interior designer and real estate agent “I would like to see Islamorada attract a whole new demographic of guests that we don’t have yet. In becoming a destination for artists in the visual and performing arts.

Creating a fellowship program for artists to spend a period of time creating this work here, consequentially having a show or performance, and a public talk.

Creating ways for people to get out and get engaged in the community, especially supporting the artistic community, elevates the quality of life. This brings me around to affordable housing for working class individuals, as well as our artists and musicians. To provide for a better quality of life, we need to support those individuals who give us that life.”

SEAT 1 Pete Bacheler Resident of Islamorada for 35 years Private land-use planner and commercial photographer “When you live in paradise, it’s hard to say how to improve it. However, more cultural events at the park, whether movies, plays, and bands of all kinds, would be a good start.

And the cultural activities need to be more often.”

SEAT 2 Mark Gregg Resident of Islamorada for 35 years.

Retired real estate lawyer and parttime commercial fisherman “I would ask the Council to create a Quality of Life Advisory Committee.

There are several aspects of life in Islamorada that could be improved, such as traffic, overcrowded weekends and holidays, boater/ homeowner conflicts, high cost of living and cost of doing business, and environmental degradation, which could be best addressed by taking suggestions from the residents and businesses that are experiencing the negative effects of these conditions. A committee formed to focus on these issues would help the Council and Village staff find faster and more effective solutions.”

Islamorada Village Council OFFICE SALARY: $3,600

SEAT 3 Jenny Bell-Thomson Resident of Islamorada for 47 years Former admitting manager at Mariners and Fishermen’s hospitals, former Monroe County Sheriff’s Capt. of the Upper Keys district.

“We need quality tourists, not quantity; this isn’t a novel idea.

But it will take a determined, comprehensive plan over many years to accomplish. It includes incentives to create businesses that attract families and focus on our environment. The Islamorada Chamber sets this example on their webpage by pointing out the tranquility our islands have to offer. At the same time we need to discourage those who choose to use our islands as a place to wreak havoc for their own pleasure. We need a toll on the stretch. It's a battle I am prepared to fight.”

SEAT 4 Ken Davis Longtime resident of the Keys Incumbent “I will continue to listen to everyone and stay focused on Islamorada’s mission statement: To Protect the Residents' Right to Quiet Enjoyment of Life. To Plan for Enhancing Our Village Character. To Preserve Our Community; Its People, Natural Resources, and Pride. To Provide Basic Services to Support our Quality of Life. This has been the core issue when dealing with the Fills and the Port Antigua Swim Zone.”

SEAT 5 Larry Zettwoch Resident of the Keys since the late 1980s Former pilot, former active duty guard reserve “A rewrite of the noise ordinance so that it includes land and water.

Watercraft are included, making it more enforceable, so that the “Residents' Right to Quiet Enjoyment of Life” is protected.”

SEAT 5 David Webb Resident of the Keys for seven years Retired FedEx pilot, former fighter pilot in the USAF and SCANG “The quality of life in Islamorada is amazing. We all get to live on one of four islands surrounded by water. But I see this year’s election as an opportunity for the citizenry of Islamorada to choose representatives that will help them define what our community can and should be and establish the specific priorities to achieve that vision. We need to decide if we will continue to allow visitors to treat our community like a never ending frat party or take steps to cease the continuous abuse to the environment and our neighborhoods.” keysweekly.com 35

Key Colony Beach Commissioner OFFICE SALARY: $11,550

With changes to the Key Colony Beach charter, there will be three seats decided in the 2020 election. Three of the candidates are incumbents — Vice Mayor Ron Sutton, Secretary Treasurer Patricia Trefry and Commissioner Kimmeron Lisle. Newcomer Thomas Harding is also vying for a spot on the dais. The race is nonpartisan.

Commissioners earn an annual salary of $11,550.12.

On some of the issues, the candidates have similar views.

None, for example, think the construction of a new city hall should be delayed. (The original was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.) And none are in favor of the so-called mandatory acquisitions proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a recent sea level rise study in the Keys. The study classified 56 residences in Key Colony Beach as targets for eminent domain. The candidates do differ, somewhat, on how best to handle vacation rentals in the small city (pop. 800) just northeast of Marathon.

Answers appear as submitted.

Question: Many in Key Colony Beach say the increasing percentage of vacation rentals is affecting the neighborhood character. While Key Colony Beach cannot make major changes to its vacation rental rules without evoking state control, are there any small steps the city can take? What are they?

36

Thomas Harding KCB has 34% of the residents who rent their homes or condominiums for vacation rentals.

I have experience in vacation rentals, and with the proper management oversight and adequate personnel to support the business, they can be a positive experience for both the resident and the city. I would solicit feedback from concerned residents, and the city staff to define the best items to further improve on. From my experience we need additional education to residents, who rent to assure everyone has a copy of the KCB rules. We should have city staff dedicated to weekend education and enforcement.

Kimmeron Lisle If we don’t make an effort to attract families and full time residents, Key Colony Beach will become an island of investors whose only stake in our City is financial. KCB has assets, strengths and opportunities we can cultivate and promote in order to attract new full time residents. Those assets include an outdoor lifestyle, family friendly amenities, neighborhood safety and a wonderful sense of community. A new initiative that builds on and promotes these existing strengths is an easy and cost effective measure that can be undertaken to begin addressing this pressing need.

Ron Sutton We have ordinances in place already (noise, number of guests in each rental unit, and our own City police boat patrol).

Patricia Trefry Enforcement of our current ordinances is critical to maintaining a balance between resident’s quality of life and vacation rentals Our PD is hiring two additional officers, one dedicated to marine patrol and code enforcement. This is a step in the right direction towards easing tensions and preserving our sense of community.

Tallahassee has tied our hands pertaining to additional regulations for vacation rentals.

Preserving Home Rule is imperative. We must continue to fight the powerful lobbies of Airbnb and VRBO in order to protect this important right granted to us by the Florida constitution.

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Key Largo Fire Rescue & EMS Board

Kenny Edge and Michael Jenkins are running for Seat 3, and Daniel Powers and Ronald Spodnik are running for Seat 5. Each candidate provided a candidate statement introducing themselves, which appears below their picture.

38

SEAT 3 Kenny Edge I've lived in this community 48 years.

Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Retired from Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority after 32 years.

Over 20 years in management. I have been a volunteer with Key Largo EMS for 28 years as an EMT, and driver. I also was a scuba instructor with Key Largo Fire. I have served on both boards, as a treasurer, and vice president. I'm currently vice president with Key Largo EMS. It would be a privilege and honor to serve on the district fire and medical board. On day one, if elected. I would continue to help provide the best 911 service, while being fiscally responsible.

SEAT 3 Michael Jenkins I have lived in the Keys for 34 years, 20 in Key Largo. I was a volunteer firefighter for Islamorada and Key Largo for over 27 years. I have held the positions of engineer, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and deputy chief. I also was a board director and president for Key Largo. I have worked for Florida Keys Electric Co-op for 19 years.

I have raised one son and two daughters.

I was very involved in school and afterschool activities, sports and scouting. I am ready and able to continue serving my community on the Fire Board. I have many years of experience in the fire service to contribute and would like to help however I can. I support both the volunteers and paid employees of the departments.

SEAT 5 Dan Powers I am running for re-election for the Key Largo Fire and Emergency Board Seat 5. I have worked in fire rescue for over 30 years as a volunteer for Key Largo Ambulance and a firefighter/paramedic for Monroe County Fire Rescue having retired six years ago. I have served on this board for the past four years and I feel that I have been an asset due to my knowledge of both fire and EMS services. With your support, I hope to continue to provide services to the community and its taxpayers.

SEAT 5 Ronald Spodnik Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m retired from the police department in New York. I worked in many divisions, including Emergency Services (first responder medical help). I worked closely with fire and ambulance services. I also worked in the communications division, and drew up specs for new police vehicles and radio systems. I was there for 911 and saw firsthand some of the horrors. I worked in the Keys for coral medical as a home medical tech, then at Divers Direct and now I'm completely retired. My goal is to assist in making the fire EMS services better with my experience from New York and keeping it cost effective for the taxpayers.

ENDORSED ENDORSED ENDORSED ENDORSED

BY: BY: BY: BY:

SEN. ANITERE ANITERE FLORES FLORES SEN. SEN. ANITERE SEN. ANITERE FLORES FLORES REP. HOLLY RASCHEIN REP. HOLLY RASCHEIN REP. HOLLY RASCHEIN REP. HOLLY RASCHEIN SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY SHERIFF RICK SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY RAMSAY Paid political advertisement paid for and approved by Ana Maria Rodriguez, Republican, for State Senate, District 39.

Paid paid for for and andapproved approvedby byAna AnaMaria MariaRodriguez, Rodriguez, Republican, State Senate, District Paid political political advertisement advertisement paid Republican, forfor State Senate, District 39.39.

keysweekly.com 39

"Someone struggled for “Somewhere inside of your right to vote. Use it.” all of us is the power to change the world."

­— Susan B. Anthony

"The first duty of a man is to think for himself."

— Jose Marti

"Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender."

— Keith Ellison

—­Roald Dahl

“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." ­— Thomas Jefferson

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet." ­—Abraham Lincoln

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” — Pericles

"If you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain.”

— George Carlin

"People shouldn't be afraid of their government.

Governments should be afraid of their people."

— Alan Moore

"There's no such thing as a vote that doesn't matter." — Barack Obama

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." ­— Plato

"The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen."

— Louis Brandeis

“A man without a vote is a man without protection.”

— Lyndon B. Johnson

“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.”

— George Jean Nathan

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” ­— John F. Kennedy

"The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter."

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls." ­ —­Peggy Noonan

"Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people."

— Harry Emerson Fosdick

"Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country, and this world." — Sharon Salzberg

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“Every election is determined by the people who show up.”

— Larry J. Sabato

• EXPERIENCE • KNOWLEDGE • JUDGMENT

VOTE NOVEMBER 3RD Barrett4StateAttorney.com Paid for and approved by Donald Barrett, Democrat, for State Attorney.

THANK YOU KEY WEST

FOR 35 AMAZING YEARS & COUNTING

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JIMMY WEEKLEY KEY WEST CITY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 Paid for and approved by Jimmy Weekley for City Commissioner District 1

Proudly endorsed by local leaders and elected officials throughout the Florida Keys.

PROTECT Our Clean Waters and Natural Resources FIX Florida’s Badly Broken Unemployment System SUPPORT Our Teachers, First Responders, and Small Businesses FIGHT for True Equality for All Floridians

DanielForFlorida.com

VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT UNDERSTANDS OUR COMMUNITY Political advertisement paid for and approved by Daniel Horton-Diaz, Democrat, for Florida Senate.

keysweekly.com

41

By Sara Matthis

COVID Changes Campaigns The challege in 2020 is just to get voters to focus on the election.

“Voters are worried about the school year, their job situation.

It’s just a very chaotic, noisy and unstable time,” said Carlos Curbelo, the Keys’ former U.S. representative who works as a consultant for climate change.

It’s fair to say the coronavirus pandemic set political campaigning techniques back about 20 years or so.

“It’s back to the old school techniques when you didn’t have all that electronic and digital whiz bang stuff,” said Doug Harrison.

He and his wife, Sue, are behindthe-scenes campaign helpers and managers. This year, both of their charges — Sheriff Rick Ramsay and Monroe County School Board chairwoman Mindy Conn — were elected unopposed.

And that, they said, is the first point.

“I think that’s why we saw so many local officials run unopposed in 2020,” said Sue Harrison.

“Challengers realized they were going to be dead ducks. It’s difficult to get out in front of voters during the pandemic, and it’s even harder to raise money, so expenses were going to have to come out of their own pocket.”

Local candidates learned that lesson early, in mid-May. An increased number had to pay to register for the race, rather than collect signatures to get their

42

names on the ballot. Democrat Clint Barras, a first-time candidate for state representative either needed to collect 1,013 signatures or pay an $1,781 filing fee. He paid it.

Fundraising has always been its own challenge, but especially in 2020.

“Listen, the people who write checks will always write checks,” said state Rep. Holly Raschein who is at the end of her last term. “But when you have a fundraising event, the best part is the face-to-face interaction. You invite your friends and they invite their friends and they get to see you in action. They think, ‘That’s someone I can vote for. She’s likable.’”

In the Keys, candidates hold meet and greets, attend club meetings and hobknob at political forums.

Generally, that’s a great way to get supporters to whip out a checkbook. In a pandemic, all of that is canceled; if it does happen, it happens virtually and the outcome is different. Still, some candidates are doing just fine in the fundraising department.

The local races that build the largest war chest are sheriff or county commission. In 2018, County Commissioner Michelle Coldiron raised $64,000, at the time a record-breaking amount. In 2020, Craig Cates has raised $98,000 for the District 1 county seat. (Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Cates to finish Danny Kolhage’s term who stepped down; so this will be Cates’ first run for county office, although he is

well known as a longtime mayor in Key West.) However, in the race for District 3, incumbent Heather Carruthers has raised $6,000, about the same as her challenger Eddie Martinez.

“The canceled fundraisers are crippling because that’s how you collect the small contributions — $10, $25 at a time. At the end of the night, that can add up to several thousand,” Doug Harrison said.

“And during the pandemic, most of those people who make the small contributions, don’t have the money.

They’re not working,” said Sue Harrison.

Raschein said the funds help candidates pay for advertising, the most expensive aspect of campaigning. On the other hand, there’s small savings to be had, too — no “swag” to give away such as koozies or magnets or T-shirts.

So, what’s the best way to campaign during a pandemic? Go old school.

The Harrisons and Raschein are telling colleagues to go knock on doors and mail flyers, both still possible while maintaining social distance.

Sue Harrison has two other pieces of advice for local candidates: One, collect endorsements. In the best situations those can equal contributions and votes.

Two, candidates should be holding a sign every morning.

“Start way before the general election.

Every morning we were at ‘the triangle’ in Key West with Sheriff Rick Ramsay. We got lots of thumbs up and honks,” she said.

“Traditional media coverage becomes more powerful,” said Curbelo.

“Incumbents’ response to coronavirus gives them an inherent advantage. It’s the only way into people’s homes, the only way to get on TV.”

VOTE!

VOTE

EDDIE MARTINEZ

FOR MONROE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 * NOVEMBER 3, 2020 I have been a resident of the Keys for ten years, married to my wife, Maria, for 28 years, and we have 4 girls. As a life-long Republican, I believe in America and the U.S. Constitution, small business entrepreneurship, less government interference and lower taxes.

My priorities as your County Commissioner are to: Listen to the residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns.

Manage with fiscal responsibility.

Protect our environment and quality of life.

Promote workforce housing.

KEYSWEEKLY

.COM

REMEMBER

VOTE EDDIE MARTINEZ Political advertisement paid for and approved by Eddie Martinez for Monroe County Commissioner, District 3.

keysweekly.com 43

WORDS TO VOTE BY Long before hashtags and handles, in fact as early as 1840, presidential hopefuls started using campaign slogans to criticize competitors and captivate the country. Some of these witty quips left an indelible mark on American politics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and on countless buttons, bumper stickers, posters and pens.

Decision 2020 and Keys Weekly pay tribute to our democracy with a selection of presidential campaign slogans from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. (Not all of them worked.)

Harry Truman, 1948 (after a man shouted it during one of his whistle stop railroad tours)

Zachary Taylor, 1848 Warren G. Harding, 1920 (after World War I)

Republicans, 1884 (attacking Democratsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; support for alcohol, Catholics and the Confederacy)

Horace Greeley, 1872 (against Ulysses S. Grant)

Ronald Reagan, 1980 (Donald Trump dropped the first word and used it in 2016.)

Barack Obama, 2008 Ross Perot, 1992

John McCain, 2008 Ulysses S. Grant, 1868

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Copyright © 2020 Dominion Voting Inc. All Rights Reserved

Official Primary Election Ballot, August 18, 2020 Democratic Party, Monroe County, Florida



Instructions: To vote, fill in the oval completely next to your choice. Use only the marking device provided or a black or blue pen.

If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot. Do not cross out or your vote may not count.

State Senator District 39 (Vote for 1)

Javier E. Fernandez

SA M 1140

11.01-Bernstein Park - Style 13 - ID 1140

1/1

Copyright © 2020 Dominion Voting Inc. All Rights Reserved

Official Primary Election Ballot, August 18, 2020 Republican Party, Monroe County, Florida  

Instructions: To vote, fill in the oval completely next to your choice. Use only the marking device provided or a black or blue pen.

If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot. Do not cross out or your vote may not count.

E

Representative in Congress District 26 (Vote for 1)

Omar Blanco

(Vote for 1)

Mark E. Kohl Dennis W. Ward

State Representative District 120 (Vote for 1)

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Carlos Gimenez

State Attorney 16th Judicial Circuit

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James "Jim" Vernon Mooney Jr Rhonda Rebman Lopez Alexandria Suarez

County Commissioner District 5 (Vote for 1)

Michael P. Forster Robby Majeska

State Committeeman (Vote for 1)

Stephen Hammond Casey Cass Scheu

11.01-Bernstein Park - Style 12 - ID 1092

1092

These are the sample ballots for Democrats and Republicans in Monroe County, outside of Key West.

Daniel "Dan" Horton-Diaz

SA

Ballots for the Aug. 18 primary election vary throughout Monroe County based on a voter’s party affiliation and location in the county. For example, the nonpartisan Key West mayor and commission races will only appear on Key West ballots. Voters with no party affiliation in that city will only vote for the mayor in August.

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Tavernier 91760 Overseas Highway 305.363.2957

Vote for Mike Forster for County Commission District 5

Mike Forster is considered by many in our community a friend but more importantly family. His passion to serve goes beyond the endeavors of feeding those in need during a time of crisis, it is the driving force behind his desire to be an elected official.

Forster has served as an Islamorada Village Councilman for 12 years over the course of five elected terms, including time as the Council’s Mayor and Vice Mayor.

He also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has spoken before the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for the environmental and financial needs of Monroe County and the surrounding area. As a community official, Forster has spent years cultivating relationships with key members of state and federal governments. Whether it’s protecting the environment, promoting the sports fishing capital of the world or championing children’s initiatives, Forster is an active leader committed to exacting change for the better.

He believes in Monroe County, and he’s asking you to believe in him. Vote for Mike Forster as the next District 5 County Commissioner, and give him the chance to continue changing lives!

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Mike Forster, Republican for Monroe County Commission District 5.

#bettertogether

My mission is to represent the citizens of Florida House District 120 with honesty, respect and hard work.

I’ve lived and worked beside you my entire life and witnessed many changes in our community over the years.

I will use that experience as my driving motivation as I strive to enhance the lives of people in this unique part of our great State now and into the future.

ED ENDORS ATIVE ESENT

BY REPR ASCHEIN HOLLY R ATOR AND SEN LORES EF ANITER Jim is a lifelong resident of the Florida Keys. Through his experiences as a father, school teacher, coach, successful business owner, volunteer and Mayor/Councilman of the Village of Islamorada, Jim has extensive direct knowledge of the needs of our district as well as the resourcefulness to make sure those needs are met.

Jim will utilize his years of experience and service to our community to fight for us on issues such as:

• Small business growth and job creation • Educational opportunities that empower families and prepare students for success • Create affordable housing and long-term solutions for our job force • Our district’s unique environment, which must be preserved for future generations

KNOWLEDGEABLE | RESOURCEFUL TRUSTWORTHY A REPUBLICAN, JIM IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO APPLY HIS CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE, FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN TALLAHASSEE.

POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY JIM MOONEY, REPUBLICAN, FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.