Related: Qualifying schedule for municipal candidates
By Mary Hladky
A crowded field of Boca Raton City Council candidates seem certain to draw more voters than usual to the polls for the March 10 municipal election.
Two more residents have announced their council candidacies, with voters now able to choose among four running for mayor — as well as contested races for council seats A, B and D. All candidates still must qualify with the city clerk’s office to be on the ballot. The qualifying period begins on Nov. 3 and ends on Nov. 12.
Political newcomer Joshua Joffe is running for mayor, joining the high-profile matchup between Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas and Council member Andy Thomson. The fourth is perennial candidate Bernard Korn, who so far has not won an election.
The winner will replace Scott Singer, who is prevented by term limits from seeking reelection.
Joffe is a civil engineer and active environmentalist who said he is not a member of Save Boca, the group pressing hard to halt the development of the city’s downtown campus.
In a brief interview on Oct. 23, Joffe declined further comment, but said that he would be posting more information online soon about himself and his campaign platform.
While Thomson’s three-year council term ends in 2027, Florida law requires him to resign from the council to run for mayor. He did so on Oct. 23, effective March 31, which is the day he or one of the other mayoral candidates takes office.
Jessica Gray, a well-known environmentalist who is executive director of Boca Save Our Beaches, is running for Thomson’s Seat D against former City Council member Robert Weinroth. He later served as a county commissioner and county mayor.ray originally filed to oppose incumbent Council member Marc Wigder for Seat B, but since has switched to Seat D.
Gray is not a member of Save Boca but says she shares that group’s “mission in preserving public land.”
She has served as a member of the city’s environmental and sustainability advisory boards.
“I am running because I really care about where Boca is headed,” she said. “I spent years to protect and preserve our environment. I want to make sure the city grows the right way and thoughtfully. I am running because Boca residents deserve trust and accountability.”
Wigder is opposed by Meredith Madsen, a Save Boca supporter who is founder and CEO of Sunshine & Glitter, which sells sunscreen products.
Planning and Zoning Board member and attorney Christen Ritchey has filed to run for Nachlas’ Seat A. Her opponent is Korn, a real estate broker, who has filed to run for this seat as well as for mayor.
The mayoral race already has shaped up to be a battle royale, with Nachlas and Thomson raising far more contributions to their campaigns than has been typical.
As of the last campaign finance disclosures on Sept. 30, Thomson had raised $98,519 while Nachlas had $189,876, which includes a $100,000 loan to her campaign. These amounts are direct contributions and do not include additional amounts raised through their campaign committees.
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