Our Candidates

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As the Florida Keys Democrats, we believe in supporting candidates who represent our shared values of fairness, equality, and progress. Below, you'll find the individuals we've proudly endorsed, each dedicated to making a positive impact on our community. These candidates have demonstrated their commitment to improving the lives of the people in the Keys and beyond.

We invite you to learn more about each of these candidates and join us in supporting their campaigns. Let's make sure our voices are heard on Election Day—November 5th—and together, vote for a better future.

Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are fighting for a New Way Forward that protects our fundamental freedoms, strengthens our democracy, and ensures every person has the opportunity to not just get by, but to get ahead. As a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, and now Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris always stood up for the people against predators, scammers, and powerful interests. She promises to be a president for all Americans, a president who unites us around our highest aspirations, and a president who always fights for the American people. From the courthouse to the White House, that has been her life’s work.

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

United States Senate

While her mother worked double shifts as a home health care provider, Debbie worked at a donut shop to help her family make ends meet. After working her way through high school and college, Debbie worked for Florida International University’s Colleges of Health and Medicine. While at FIU, Debbie helped lead a program to expand access to affordable health care to more Floridians.

Serving in Congress, Debbie fought to expand opportunity for every American. Debbie wrote the bill to expand seniors’ Medicare Advantage coverage, and she worked with Republicans to provide economic relief to families and small businesses, and secured $200 million for Everglades restoration. Today, Debbie takes care of her elderly mother and knows firsthand what it’s like to take care of aging parents while also taking care of her own children.

Phil Ehr

Florida’s 28th Congressional District

Thank you for your service!

Phil Ehr is a retired Navy commander and Democratic nominee for Florida’s 28th Congressional District. His first mission as a 19-year-old sailor was the Navy was the Mariel Boatlift rescuing people who fled brutality in Cuba for freedom in America. He completed a 26-year active duty career flying reconnaissance in the Cold War and combat support in Desert Storm. Phil brings senior staff experience realigning military bases, providing newly declassified space technology to federal agencies responsible for earth science research and border security, including the Coast Guard and JIATF South. He taught foreign military officers in their war college and the game of chess to children in schools. Phil and his wife raised two children.

Michael Travis

State Representative

Michael Travis, the Drag entertainer Erika Rose and Democrat candidate, is running for State Representative covering the southern tip of Florida and the Florida Keys. He running to defend Human Rights and save you money by keeping state funding out of court costs challenging unconstitutional laws. He is running to expand home rule to give back power to local governments and your local voting power. Let’s make history together!

Christopher Massicotte

County Commissioner District 3

Website: chrisformonroe.com

Email: chris@chrisformonroe.com

Christopher Massicotte is a dedicated leader with a diverse background and a passion for community improvement, running for Monroe County Commissioner, District 3.

Chris earned his Bachelor's degree in accounting and a Masters degree in Government Administration. He is a former auditor and political strategist, learning about local governments all over the country, and how to make them work for us. In 2017, Chris moved to Key West permanently and co-founded Duval Street Media, a local marketing firm dedicated to collaborating with locally owned businesses in the Keys. He also serves on several boards, including Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe and the Key West AIDS Memorial.

If elected, Chris plans to find ways to reduce wasteful spending, stop property taxes from rising and keep hard working residents from having to leave the Keys due to rising costs of living. He is dedicated to giving a voice back to the people, and fight the recent alleged corruption that has been engulfing the current BOCC through transparency and accountability.  Chris will bring the change that is necessary to get Monroe County back on track, putting residents first.

Steve Friedman

Islamorada Village Council

Steve Friedman is a backcountry fishing guide and the former Commodore of the Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association. He helped form Florida Bay Forever, served on the Islamorada Near Shore Water Regulation Committee and is a member of Captains for Clean Water. 

A father of two, Steve & his wife Kristine have lived in Islamorada for 25 years.

With his two decades of running a small business in the Keys coupled with a BA from Drake University in Spanish and Latin American Studies and a Master’s from the University of New Mexico in Latin American Studies (with an emphasis in political science and community and regional planning), Capt. Steve is ready to serve on our Islamorada Village Council.

Marci L. Rose

Key West City Commission District 6

305-304-6832

marci@votemarcirose.com

810 Thomas St., Key West, FL 33040

Attorney Marci L. Rose has announced her candidacy for City Commissioner in District 6. The longtime Bahama Village resident is past President of Reef Relief, past board member of Last Stand, and recently served on the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee (BVRAC).Rose received her law degree from Capital University, where she concentrated in Environmental Law. As Reef Relief president from 1998–2004, Rose successfully advocated for major upgrades to the City’s advanced wastewater treatment facility, which ended sewage discharges into local waters. As Chairman of Clean Florida Keys, Rose was also instrumental in securing federal recognition of US 1 as a National Scenic Highway and helped to develop the master plan for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, the 106-mile-long bicycle path that runs from Key Largo to Key West.

Rose is the owner of a successful law practice focusing on real estate, estate planning, and probate law. As a founding board member of the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust, Rose was a leader among early efforts to counter gentrification in Bahama Village. She continues to advocate for housing solutions in District 6, most recently as a member of the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee (BVRAC).

“I feel it is my civic duty to serve our community and to improve the quality of life for our residents,” Rose said. “I will advocate for good government and environmental responsibility, and I will lead with honesty and integrity — every day.” My track record shows I can work with our State and Federal partners to get things done and make positive change in the City.

Rose is also a founding board member of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition for the Homeless, and founder and director of the annual Earth Day 5k Run/Walk. This year marks 26 years of Rose contributing all race proceeds to a nonprofit organization that does hands-on work to improve the Keys environment. She is a past board member and violin instructor at the Bahama Village Music Program; general counsel (pro bono) to the Key West Community Sailing Center; and a performing violinist in two community orchestras.

A “fresh-water Conch,” Rose has been in Key West since 1983 and on Thomas Street in Bahama Village since 1998.

Two Democratic candidates are running for Utility Board Seat C. While we are unable to endorse either, we believe both are excellent choices. Learn more about each candidate below.

Rachel Oropeza

Utility Board, Seat C

Rachel Oropeza is a fourth-generation Conch who is the Director of the President’s Office at The College of the Florida Keys. I have a long history of work in the hospitality industry as the Catering Director at Marriott’s Beachside Hotel. I also served as the Legislative Aide to previous State Representative Debbie Horan.

I am a 20-year Rotarian, where I have served as Past President and Past Assistant Governor and am currently on the Board for the Rotary Club of Key West. As for other community involvement, I was on the Commissioning Committee for the USS Lenah Sutcliff Higbee (DDG-123), a Past Fundraising Chair for Irreverent Warriors and volunteer for Cooking with Love. I was a Samuel’s House Women of Integrity recipient. In addition, I was a Take Stock in Children Mentor for 10 years, served on the Board for Montessori Children’s School and the Waterfront Playhouse. I am very proud to have been a founding member of the Key West Symphony Board.

“Having grown up in Key West, with years of community service, I have the knowledge and strong skill set to become a contributing part of the Utility Board,” stated Rachel. “Key West is my home, and the local utility is an institution that takes care of this city.”

Tim Root

Utility Board, Seat C

Keys Energy Chairperson Mr. Timothy Root is a 34-year resident of the Florida Keys and has served on the Utility Board since 2013. Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Tim began his career with a trade union job building the shipyards in Philadelphia. He moved to Key West in 1987, where he started as a project manager for developer Pritam Singh’s historic structures venture. Mr. Root worked on the Little White House and other downtown Key West projects. In 1998, he helped build Hurricane Hole Marina and was a part-owner for several years. Mr. Root has been a General Contractor since 1980 and is currently a construction consultant.

He currently serves as a Board member on the Tourist Development Council and has served on the Key West Historic Architectural Review Commission, Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, and was appointed to the City of Key West Planning Board, and Monroe County’s Affordable Housing Task Force. Mr. Root and his wife Reta live in Key West and have three children and four grandchildren.