And the Winner(s) Should Be…
Above the Fold has put a lot of time and effort into its endorsements. Here they are.
Ed. Note: This content is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by or produced on behalf of any candidate, campaign or political committee in Monroe County. It is solely the opinion of the journalist based on more than 25 years of covering politics in the Florida Keys and Key West, interactions with individual candidates and observations during political forums.
To say the 2026 campaign season has been contentious from the County level on down would be an understatement.
But Above the Fold has been watching the elections unfold and these are my picks in the County-wide contests:
The MAGA-controlled Republican Party of Monroe County has a hard-on for any Republican officials who endorsed Democrat Ron Saunders for Supervisor of Elections in the last cycle.
If the MAGA element from Ocean Reef (or South Miami) has its way, it is not only going to supplant those running for election this year but is also likely to oppose Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay and State Attorney Dennis Ward in the next cycle.
Hopefully by then that fringe element of the party will have lost its stranglehold, so it won’t matter. But it does matter more than ever in this election cycle.
MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD DISTRICT II
Phil Goodman vs. Alex Osbourne
Osbourne is one of the clique looking to supplant renegade Republicans who dare endorse moderate or conservative Democrats.
Goodman is a longtime member of the district board and the current chairman.
Osbourne’s reason for running, other than trying to take Goodman out, is that he hates mosquitoes. Duh. That was nowhere more evident than the latest Hometown! Candidate Forum. He opposes genetically modified mosquitoes, which are a proven technology that has worked throughout the tropics. He couldn’t answer what the genetic difference is between the Oxitec mosquitoes and the genetically modified flies that have been used to help control and eradicate screwworm.
Based on a proven track record of balancing public health, his knowledge of cutting-edge mosquito control technology, a proven track record as the head bug man and his efforts to negotiate the uncertain funding future because of Tallahassee’s property tax shenanigans, Phil Goodman is the bugman with the right plan.
COUNTY JUDGE
Kevin McCarthy vs. David Van Loon
Public Defender McCarthy has run courtrooms and dockets and helped get the Monroe County Detention Center back up and running, following courtroom experience all the way up to circuit court. He could immediately handle circuit court cases if specially assigned, as is currently the case.
Van Loon has highlighted the majority of cases that could appear before him, including misdemeanors, DUIs and criminal traffic cases. On the civil side, he has handled small claims, civil traffic, landlord-tenant and county litigation cases. In his 22 years of experience, he said he has checked the box on 95% of those matters, with the exception of a DUI defense. He has also served as a magistrate for the Value Adjustment Board and as a traffic magistrate.
Either candidate is eminently qualified, but Kevin McCarthy has the edge, being able to hit the ground running given his experience in both county and circuit court, particularly if the next judge is specially assigned to handle circuit court matters (as is currently the case with Judge Mark Wilson, who will be moving up to replace the retiring Mark Jones at the Circuit level).
MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT I
Teri Axford vs. Darren Horan
Teri Axford is a veteran school district employee, former principal and former superintendent of schools with 38 years of experience. It is an old Republican trope, but new Superintendent Ed Tierney has been working tirelessly to fix a number of the problems left over from her administration.
Axford falls short in describing the ad hoc method of school front offices informally placing teachers in rental properties. With regard to AI, Axford believes teachers need training that allows them to determine whether students are using it. At the most recent Hometown! candidate forum, she seemed lost, almost adrift. Rather than worrying about the conditions facing students, she seemed more concerned about a strategic plan, which is really the current superintendent’s purview.
She seems almost like somebody who can’t give up being in the big seat.
Darren Horan is running for his second term representing Key West. His belief on AI is that it should be limited to teachers. He also reiterated Tierney’s sentiment that if cuts are going to be made, they will come from the top down.
“Before we let go of a single teacher, we will let go of administrators first.”
His efforts to improve student nutrition at no cost have spanned from Trumbo to Tallahassee. Horan also believes the school district spends too much money on capital expenditures and not enough on the classroom.
Some people just can’t let go and want things to go back to the way they used to be.
Remember when is the lowest form of conversation.
Darren Horan is the voice of the future.
Not the past.
MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT V
Chelyn Shaw vs. Sue Woltanksi
Chelyn Shaw — a common sense Christian Conservative — wants to bring traditional Common Sense Conservative Judeo-Christian values that our founding fathers based our nation on: Integrity, Honesty and Service to others before self.
But she couldn’t bring herself to admit that those are same basic tenets of nearly every other organized religion today.
Shaw is also in favor of School Choice.
And is a supporter and believer in The Heritage Foundation.
She lost me at School Choice, and I backpedaled faster at the uttering of Heritage Foundation on her website.
Sue Woltanski is the incumbent and believes AI should be limited for students, that they should have real books to read and should have to write essays with pens or pencils in a binder full of notebook paper in front of teachers.
That is why Sue Woltanksi is the right choice for not only District V, but the children and families of Monroe County.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT II
Michelle Lincoln vs. George Lopez
This one is a no-brainer especially when you look at the challenger.
George Lopez is an angry Red Hatter married to the MAGA Inquistor running the Crusade as chair of the Monroe County Republican Party.
Lopez wants to tout that — although he has no experience on an elected board or commission — he is an international businessman.
Well, we see how that has played out on the national stage.
Michelle Lincoln has a proven track record as a measured Conservative politician and is just the type of commissioner that Monroe County needs, particularly in the uncertain landscape unfolding with regards from “property tax relief” from Tallahassee.
Oh, and she actually lives in Monroe County — which is a big plus.
COMING TOMORROW: Above the Fold’s picks for Utility Board and the City of Key West.
Thank you! This helps me decide on races I'm unaware of. I like Michele Lincoln anyway.