Applicants for District 5 City Commission Vacancy
- Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
- Nov 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco November 29, 2025
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. A resolution was adopted to establish the procedure, with applications accepted until November 28, 2025. The interim commissioner will serve until the regularly scheduled election on August 18, 2026, ensuring continuity of representation for District 5 residents. For such a small town, there were many applicants for the District 5 City Commission seat.
Applicants for District 5 City Commission Vacancy
Harry Bethel
Among the applicants is Harry Bethel, a former city commissioner with deep roots in Key West politics. Bethel previously served multiple terms on the commission and is known for his long-standing involvement in local governance. His application reflects both his experience and his commitment to maintaining stability during the transition. Bethel’s candidacy brings institutional knowledge and familiarity with city procedures, which could prove valuable in navigating ongoing civic issues. However, a lot has changed since he served in politics. While his resume is impressive, it is time to step aside as he approaches his late eighties. A new generation of Key West natives are eager to enter the political arena and help shape the future of Key West.
Margaret Romero
Another applicant is Margaret Romero, also a former city commissioner. Romero’s prior service on the commission highlighted her focus on community engagement and fiscal responsibility. Her return as an applicant underscores her continued interest in shaping policy and representing District 5 constituents. Romero’s background suggests she would bring both experience and a renewed perspective to the interim role, balancing continuity with responsiveness to current challenges. However, she just lost the Supervisor of Elections race where her own Republican party chose not to support her, so the local support for her is lacking. Romero has twice sought the office of mayor but has yet to secure a victory. In 2018, she ran against Teri Johnston, who won decisively with about 66 percent of the vote. Romero challenged Johnston again in 2022, but Johnston was reelected with 56 percent, marking Romero’s second defeat. While Romero has remained active in local politics, her mayoral record stands at zero wins and two losses, both against Johnston. It's quite clear in the data, that when given the choice, voters in Key West and Monroe County don't support Romero. This appointment is perhaps her only option if she still wants to serve in an elected seat.
Sue Harrison
Sue Harrison, who served as senior deputy city clerk, is also in the running. Harrison’s administrative background within city government provides her with a strong understanding of municipal processes and recordkeeping. Her application emphasizes her technical expertise and familiarity with the inner workings of city operations. This perspective could offer a practical, detail-oriented approach to governance, ensuring that District 5’s representation is grounded in procedural accuracy and transparency. She does understand the process and would be the most likely choice for a smooth transition.
Frederick Covan
The fourth applicant is Frederick Lawrence Covan, a clinical psychologist and longtime Key West resident. Covan’s professional background in psychology brings a unique lens to civic leadership, emphasizing community well-being and social insight. His application highlights his commitment to public service and his eligibility as a full-time resident and registered voter in Monroe County. Covan’s candidacy represents a blend of professional expertise and civic dedication, potentially broadening the scope of perspectives on the commission. He would be the outsider in this group of applicants whose only qualification would be a psychology background. While his understanding of emotional complexities may be profound, this doesn’t translate to good leadership as a city commissioner.
Greg Veliz
He brings significant experience in city government, having previously served as Key West City Manager after years as Assistant City Manager. His tenure was marked by both administrative leadership and public scrutiny, including discussions of his past legal history. Greg Veliz’s legal history stems from a 1991 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he served 38 months in prison after a reduced sentence. As a convicted felon, he lost civil rights such as voting and holding public office unless granted clemency. Despite these restrictions, Veliz built a career in municipal government, serving as Assistant City Manager and later City Manager of Key West. His past conviction remains a point of debate, though some city leaders argue his professional contributions outweigh youthful mistakes. Veliz’s story highlights the tension between rehabilitation and public perception, raising questions about how his appointment to the District 5 commission seat will be received.
Sherry Jones
She is a Key West attorney who is highlighting her residency in District 5 and her professional background in law, which could provide a legal and civic perspective to the commission’s work. Jones has a long-standing career in law. She is a former prosecutor in the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida (Monroe County), which gives her insight into both sides of the courtroom. Since 2008, she has practiced as a criminal defense attorney, specializing in cases such as DUI, drug possession, domestic violence, and other criminal matters. Her law firm emphasizes personalized service and has represented both residents and visitors in the Florida Keys.
The addition of Veliz and Jones to the applicant pool underscores the city’s effort to ensure strong leadership during this transitional period. Their diverse backgrounds—Veliz with his extensive municipal management experience and Jones with her legal expertise—offer contrasting but potentially complementary approaches to governance.
As the appointment date approaches, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the commission weighs these qualifications in selecting Hoover’s successor. the City Commission meeting to vote on the replacement is December 2nd, 2025. The applications from all the residents and the live meeting link can be found at the following link:
Sources
City of Key West. “Resolution No. 25-4794.” Legistar, 24 Nov. 2025, https://keywest.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14976535&GUID=263B5E31-0820-4C31-95D5-C3E3FC9451F0. legistar.com
“Sherry Ivey Jones Application.” City of Key West Legislative Documents, 28 Nov. 2025, keywest.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14993901&GUID=9EBDE305-6AEB-4F4B-8085-96E699028D80.
Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island. When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special.
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