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FORT LAUDERDALE — Garry Smyth has withdrawn from the race for Fort Lauderdale City Commission District 1, bringing his campaign to an abrupt end days after The County published an investigation examining his arrest, financial history and recent court troubles.
Smyth had campaigned as a business owner and community leader who would bring “fiscal responsibility” and “accountability” to City Hall, language that remained on his campaign website as recently as this weekend.
But The County’s review of court and public records revealed a markedly more complicated record. Smyth was arrested in 2023 following an incident at the Dania Beach Improv, where a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy reported that Smyth was “extremely drunk,” tried to kiss a comedian without consent, refused orders to leave and was ultimately booked on several allegations, including battery on a law-enforcement officer.
The investigation also detailed years of financial litigation and two Capital One lawsuits filed against Smyth this year. In one of those cases, a Broward County judge entered a $5,650.43 final judgment against Smyth on Aug. 28 after he failed to appear for a scheduled pretrial conference, according to court records reviewed by The County.
Smyth’s departure reshapes the District 1 contest just weeks before voters head to the polls.
The timing of his withdrawal comes shortly after The County’s reporting, though Smyth has not established publicly that the investigation was the reason for his decision to leave the race.
His withdrawal ends a campaign that asked voters to judge Smyth on his record. In the end, that record became one of the biggest stories of his candidacy.
This is a developing story.
