BREAKING: Local Contractor Could Enter Four-Way Race for District IV Seat
Mayor’s planning board appointee weighing bid as Carey’s future remains unclear.
Local building contractor, folk artist and generational Conch Wayne Garcia could be about to enter what may become a four-way race for the District IV seat on the Key West City Commission, currently held by embattled Commissioner Lissette Carey, whose tenure has been clouded by controversy tied to the ongoing “Bubba Bozo Trio” corruption scandal at City Hall.
District IV spans the middle of the island, encompassing midtown and adjacent Old Town neighborhoods where many year-round residents live, making it one of the city’s more locally rooted and politically competitive seats.
Although Carey has not announced whether she will seek reelection, two candidates have already filed: fellow Planning Board member Sarah Compton and Keys Energy employee Juan Llera. Compton is viewed as a grassroots contender, while Llera is seen as more aligned with business interests. If Garcia and Llera both run, the race could split an already shrinking Conch vote in the district.
Compton, on the other hand, has already been actively campaigning and participating in City Commission meetings as a member of the public. Key West has yet to hear a peep from Llera.
At least three district sources confirmed to Above the Fold that Garcia intends to file his candidacy with the City Clerk’s office this week, and a recent Facebook post from Garcia appeared to signal he is preparing to enter the race.
Garcia is a longtime contractor and current Planning Board member, appointed by Mayor Danise Henriquez. He is also known locally as a folk artist and woodcarver whose narrative relief carvings depict Old Key West scenes and characters in the tradition of Mario Sanchez.
If he files, Garcia would enter the race with ties to the construction trades, the local arts community and neighborhood networks across District IV.