Massicotte Urges Caretaker for District 5 Seat, Vows to Recuse if Rival Does the Same
Key West candidate says appointing any declared contender would “tilt the playing field” ahead of 2025 election.
District 5 City Commission candidate Chris Massicotte on Thursday called on the Key West City Commission to appoint a neutral caretaker to temporarily fill the seat left vacant by the death of Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover, saying either declared candidate receiving the appointment would “tilt the playing field” ahead of next year’s regular election.
Massicotte also said he will remove himself from consideration — but only if the same standard is applied to his opponent, Harry Russell, who has also qualified to run.
“No candidate should get an unfair advantage,” Massicotte said. “I am willing to recuse myself from consideration for appointment to this vacancy if the Commission also commits that the other declared candidate, Harry Russell, will not be considered.”
The Mayor has scheduled a special commission meeting for Monday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. at City Hall to decide how the seat will be filled for the remainder of Hoover’s term.
Massicotte said appointing either candidate would undermine public trust and risk granting an appointed incumbency weeks before the August regular election. He again voiced his opposition to holding a special election, calling it costly and unnecessary given the short runway to the regularly scheduled vote.
“While I am confident I could win a special election and begin serving sooner, that does not make it the fiscally responsible choice for the City of Key West,” he said.
Massicotte praised Hoover’s record of service, calling her loss “profound” and noting her support for local businesses, nonprofits and neighborhood improvements, including the Atlantic Boulevard path she championed.
He also pointed to past examples of caretaker-style appointments used to maintain continuity without influencing future races.
“The fairest path is to appoint a caretaker who will not run for the seat and will simply serve until the voters decide,” he said.
Massicotte encouraged residents to attend Monday’s meeting and speak in favor of a temporary caretaker and against a special election.
The special meeting of the Key West City Commission is slated for 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24 beginning at 2 p.m. at 1300 White St. The meeting will be streamed live on the city’s website.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space.