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Myself and others have become deeply disturbed and disappointed, watching the politics of Wilton Manors become more tribal, petty, personal, and outright disrespectful.
Wilton Manors is a small city. Everyone who lives in it are neighbors. They see each other at grocery stores or restaurants. We all see each other on the drive at bars, community events, or walking down the street. Wilton Manors is supposed to be building a community together, not treating every political disagreement over candidates in the 2026 election is a declaration of war.
The candidates and their campaigns have produced plenty of legitimate disagreements and discourse about the direction of Wilton Manors. Those disagreement have ranged from development, taxation, public services, and even the character of the city. There are three people running to be Mayor, and four candidates seeking two commission seats. Voters in the island city have plenty of qualified, meaningful choices to make on November 3rd.
But somewhere along the way, too much of the conversation has become about dream teams rather than dreams and ideas.
I know this firsthand.
Recently, I made endorsements for the candidates I genuinely believed were best prepared to serve Wilton Manors. I made my endorsements to balance the city commission to prevent future infighting on the Dais. They should work together. I did not need to attack the other candidates to make those choices. I did not publish personal insults. I did not question anyone’s character. I simply made a judgment about the candidates I believed were the strongest choices and explained why.
The reaction from some people associated with some candidates’ campaigns was remarkably personal.
I was viciously and personally attacked by people supporting candidates I had not even criticized. One candidate for mayor whom I consider a long time friend blocked me on Facebook following my endorsement. Another candidate unfriended me. The spouse of another candidate blocked me as well.
Again: I hadn’t attacked or criticized them. I praised them, instead.
Apparently, in today’s political environment, simply saying I support someone else can be interpreted as an act of hostility, or war.
That is precisely the kind of politics Wilton Manors voters should reject, not because disagreement is bad, but because disagreement is supposed to be part of democracy.
And I have to say something about the online behavior surrounding one of these campaigns. The conduct of one candidate’s spouse has, in my view, repeatedly crossed the line from spirited political advocacy into unnecessary and outright disrespect. I admire spirited debate and passion, and there is nothing wrong with defending and standing up for your spouse. That’s what a good spouse does, I would hope. But there is a difference between spirited advocacy and spirited disrespect. I have heard from many people about this individual’s behavior.
Wilton Manors is better than that.
This city has an amazing history. It has become a place where LGBTQ people and all types of people could find community, build a life, live openly, and be safe. Internationally, it is known as a place of LGBTQ+ equality and vibrancy. That history should demand something from all of us.
We can disagree about political candidates in a local race without becoming enemies. We can support, donate, and campaign for opposing candidates without questioning someone’s friendship, their loyalty or their character.
We can criticize a candidate’s policies or their vision for the future without trying to destroy the people around them.
And we can campaign aggressively without forgetting that, after Election Day, we’re still going to be friends and some, neighbors.
I stand by the three endorsements I made. They were made by me and I encourage people to make their own choices after researching. That’s your civic duty. But standing by my endorsements does not require me to hate the people who disagree with me.
That’s the distinction I wish more people in Wilton Manors understood.
The mayor and commission races should be about the future of Wilton Manors, not about who can be the loudest on Facebook, or the biggest tribe, or who can get the most clicks bullying online.
There is so much worth arguing and debating: development, affordability, infrastructure, water quality, quality of life, transparency, the future of The Drive and the character of the city. Those are real issues. They deserve serious discourse.
Petty personal politics do not.
Win or lose on November 3, the candidates will still be neighbors. Their supporters will still be neighbors. And those who voted differently will still be our neighbors, facing the same crises and the same consequences from Tallahassee and Washington.
My friend, David Jobin said it best: “Our town is being torn apart by tribal politics at exactly the moment we should be banding together to defend against what's coming our way from Tallahassee.”
Wilton Manors doesn’t need more drama or tribalism. It needs more grace, a bit more humility and a ton more of the community spirit that made this city special to start.
Let’s put the Manors back in Wilton.
