The Key West Post

The District 5 seat on the Key West City Commission became vacant following the passing of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover on November 19, 2025. Hoover had represented District 5 since 2018 and was widely respected for her dedication to civic service. Under Section 2-31 of the Key West Code of Ordinances, the City Commission was required to appoint an interim commissioner within fifteen days of the vacancy.

The last time Key West faced the unusual task of appointing an interim city commissioner was in 1995, when District 6 Commissioner Emery Major was suspended and later removed from office. Governor Lawton Chiles issued the suspension on June 30, 1995, after federal investigators uncovered evidence of election fraud and bribery tied to Major’s 1993 campaign. The suspension created a vacancy that required immediate action under city law, much like the current District 5 process

The Future of Key West 2026 Elections: Turnout and Tension-Key West politics reveal a striking contrast between uncontested victories and hard-fought campaigns. Nearly 30% of city leadership entered office without voter input, while other races—like Commissioner Lissette Carey’s—showed how turnout and credibility can decide outcomes. As the 2026 elections approach, Mayor DeeDee Henriquez faces her first real challenge against Commissioner Sam Kaufman, setting up a contest tha

Key West School Violates Parental Rights: Key West parent blasts Horace O’Bryant Middle School for “egregious violation of parental rights” after daughter held during dismissal.

School Board Member Sue Woltanski's Liberal Ideology: After attending the State Board of Education meeting on 11/13/25 near Tallahassee, Woltanski posted a blog article mocking everything they said and voted to approve. Thankfully, the meeting was recorded and people can watch the video and compare it to the liberal twist she puts on what actually happened at the there. She makes a list in her blog of the "troubling moments" at the meeting. Only a liberal like her would ca

Immigration enforcement in the Florida Keys has taken center stage over the past year, blending local politics with national priorities. In November 2025, federal agents staged roadside stops in Key Largo, detaining individuals from cars and buses while a helicopter circled overhead. These visible operations signaled a renewed emphasis on border security in the Upper Keys.

Photo of the Day: Joseph Bum Farto; In 1975, federal authorities launched Operation Conch, a covert investigation targeting corruption within Key West’s municipal government.

Key West Organizations Help Feed Community: Florida’s economy in November 2025 is still growing faster than the national average, but food insecurity is a major issue due to recent SNAP benefit cuts during the government shutdown. Food pantries across the state are strained, serving more people than usual. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, refugees, asylees, etc.) can receive SNAP, though recent federal restrictions narrowed eligibility. Food pantries, which ar

District 4 City Commission Race Heats Up: The "One Human Family" has two distinct communities in Key West, and District 4 in the center of the island is a perfect example of the differences. Key West now has a third candidate running for the District 4 City Commissioner seat. Juan Llera, born in Cuba, and Sarah Compton from Missouri, are two outsiders hoping to lead District 4 residents in Key West. Commissioner Lissette Carey, a Key West native, has yet to announce a re

Remembering Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover

District 2 City Commission Seat Draws Two Candidates: With Commissioner Sam Kaufman launching a mayoral bid, his District 2 seat will be open in the 2026 election. Two longtime Key West business owners have stepped forward, one with political experience and deep Key West roots, and the other a newcomer to Key West without political experience.

Sue Woltanski has filed for re-election to the Monroe County School Board, District 5. Though school board races are technically nonpartisan, Woltanski has long aligned herself with liberal policies. Just days before announcing her campaign, she published a blog post criticizing conservative leaders and organizations like Moms for Liberty as “far right” and accused them of “taking over” education.

How U.S. Presidents and the Military Defined Key West: While Key West champions "One Human Family" today, its historical motto might have been "One Military Family." The island's deep military connection, dating back to the Navy's 1820s establishment, has shaped its identity. During the Civil War, Key West, the sole Union city in Florida, strategically disrupted Confederate shipping. This vital role continued through two World Wars and Cold War aviation and submarine operatio

Atlantic Red Snapper 2026 Season Will See Big Changes: According to Governor Desantis, the Atlantic Red Snapper Season will no longer be managed by the federal government starting in 2026. This change is expected to boost local economies and benefit the entire recreational fishing community. Bait shops, hotels, restaurants, and charter fishermen are among those who will benefit. With over 4 million licensed anglers, Florida will continue to be the fishing capital of the world

Florida Legislators File Bills for 2026 Session: Florida lawmakers have filed a slate of bills for the 2026 legislative session that touch on employment verification, autism awareness in policing, regulation of emerging tobacco products, and flag display rules for government buildings.

Juana Borrero Pierra was a Key West poet and painter whose life, though brief, left a lasting mark. She died in Key West in 1896. Born in Havana in 1877 to a family of writers and patriots, she was a true prodigy—publishing poems by age 10 and studying fine arts before most kids learned long division.

Juana Borrero Pierra (1877–1896) was a remarkable Cuban poet and painter whose tragically short life beautifully encapsulated the worlds of Havana's literary elite and Key West's burgeoning exile community.

The Republican Party of Monroe County recently gathered for their annual dinner, a tradition held each year in tribute to former President Ronald Reagan.

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