Several Jamaicans on ballot in Florida as they contest mayoral, other seats

When United States voters go to the polls in Florida tomorrow, they will not only be deciding on a president, vice president and US senator, but also a judge for the Florida Supreme Court, a number of mayors, city commissioners, judges and school board members with several Jamaicans hoping to fill these local elected positions.

Several Jamaicans are running for Supreme Court judge, mayor, city and county commissioners, judgeships and to be elected school board members.

Among these Jamaicans are Justice Renatha Francis, who currently sits on the Florida Supreme Court, having been appointed to the seat by Governor Ron DeSantis, is running to be elected to the court for a full term.

In Broward County, four cities are likely to have Jamaicans as mayor after the ballots have been counted.

Denise Grant for mayor

In the City of Lauderhill, Jamaica-born Denise Grant is vying to become the first Jamaican woman and second female to be elected mayor of the city.

Grant, who was born in Spaulding, Manchester, migrated to the US at age nine. She first lived with her parents in New Jersey, moving to Florida in 2007.

Deeply involved in her community, Grant won a seat as city commissioner in 2018, a post that she has given up to contest for mayor.

Asked her motivation for running for mayor, Grant told The Gleaner that she believes she can add value to the city.

“I love to serve. I have always done community service and becoming mayor is just another step in that service,” she said.

Lauderhill has a population of some 75,000 people and Grant said she wants to bring more resources to the city to boost small business, reduce poverty and assist young people.

She is locked in a tight race with an opponent who is an African-American.

Apart from Grant, a number of Jamaicans are running to be city commissioner. Among them are John T. Hodson, Margret Paul, who is seeking re-election, Ray Martin and Richard Campbell.

Over in the city of Sunrise, several Jamaicans are running. Mark Douglas is seeking to become the new mayor of the city, while Layalor Clarke and Sophia Haynes are running for city commissioner.

– Lester Hinds