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By Mary Hladky and Rich Pollack

Boca Raton City Council member Andy Thomson and Highland Beach Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who are running against each other to serve in the Florida House of Representatives, will step down from their seats this month because of the state’s resign-to-run law.
With time running short, Thomson’s council colleagues have not addressed whether they will appoint someone to temporarily replace him or leave the seat open until the March 14 municipal election.
When Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke broached the matter at the end of a very long Oct. 25 meeting, other council members said they wanted to wait until their meeting on Nov. 8 to discuss it.
Meanwhile, Highland Beach commissioners are seeking applications from residents interested in filling the seat being vacated by Gossett-Seidman, who has resigned effective Nov. 9, the day after the election.
Residents wishing to fill the seat for four months until the town holds its March election will have until noon Nov. 15 to submit an application and background check waiver, available on the town’s website.
Commissioners will receive the applications during their meeting later on Nov. 15 and will hold a special commission meeting on Nov. 22 to interview candidates and vote on an appointment.
Highland Beach’s candidate qualifying period for the March election is Nov. 8 to Nov. 22. In addition to the year left on Gossett-Seidman’s term, town voters may select a mayor and another commissioner.
The Boca Raton candidate qualifying period is Nov. 1 to Nov. 9. The mayor’s seat and two council seats are up for election.
Democrat Thomson, who resigned effective Nov. 7, was elected in 2018 and re-elected without opposition in 2020.
Republican Gossett-Seidman has been a Highland Beach town commissioner since 2018.
They are seeking to replace Emily Slosberg-King, a Democrat, in a redrawn House District 91.
A Boca Raton council seat last became vacant in 2020 when then-Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers, a Navy Reservist, was called to active duty and no longer could participate in city meetings. Council members appointed Yvette Drucker to replace him until his term ended. She then won election to a three-year term.

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