For Wilton Manors Mayor, Scott Newton is the right choice

Wilton Manors is on the ballot again. The "Island City",  a northern suburb of Fort Lauderdale will cast votes to elect a Mayor for a two-year term that begins in November. Commissioners Chris Caputo and Mike Bracchi were re-elected unopposed in their respective races. On the ballot for Mayor of the 'gayest city in America' is incumbent Mayor Scott Newton who took office in 2020 and was re-elected in 2022. He faces challengers Mike Sansevero, a realtor, and Mark E. Beigay.

We recommend that voters re-elect Scott Newton to a third term as Mayor of Wilton Manors. This small island of 13,000 people is not only the epicenter of the best nightlife and gay culture in the region, it is experiencing an explosion of interest. A new hotel and gay resort will be built off of the five points intersection, and some developments are coming to Wilton Drive and Andrews Avenue in the coming years. This growth is positive, and Scott Newton at-least gets some credit for it.

There are challenges, such as water quality, infrastructure, and the rising costs of housing and property insurance. Newton's challengers have capitalized on these issues. Sansevero served two terms on the city's Community Affairs Advisory Board. Before moving to Wilton Manors, he was elected to the school board in his New York town. He says that the city's headed in the wrong direction, and lists infrastructure, smart growth, and fiscal responsibility as his top issues. Sansevero made taxes a big part of his campaign messaging, blaming Newton for an increase in the mileage rate that was fueled by inflation. He blames police officer turnover and salary issues on Newton, and says the drinking water quality is Newton's fault too. "We cannot let Scott Newton be re-elected, I am opposing him and would never put the residents in this position."

Newton disagrees. To him, this is all petty, negative politics. We agree with him here. The facts are: police turnover and low salaries are issues nationwide, not just in Wilton Manors. The water supply in Wilton Manors comes from neighboring Fort Lauderdale. The mileage rate increase was necessary to solve the problems that Sansevero pointed out. Why be upset at the solution? Sansevero has run a negative campaign, and he doesn't have all the facts.

He also grandstands without the solutions to back it up. This is further illustrated by his online presence, where he constantly argues with residents and critics online, and fails to give his own plans to the problems he describes. Sansevero posted "I have proposals for small business support which I will introduce after I am elected your Mayor", to which a resident responded "Would be nice to know those ideas BEFORE elected not after. Reminds me of another candidate who recently said 'I have a plan. It's a good plan', but wouldn't say what the plan was." While we applaud him for running, his demeanor, lack of facts, and willingness to attack voters who seek questions is not what the city needs at the top. He should consider a run for the commission.

Mark Beigay, a newcomer to both politics and the Wilton Manors community is well-meaning and we like both his demeanor and personality. He would make a great city commissioner in the future. But for now, residents have Scott Newton to count on. Not only does he show up, he delivers. He leads the city in a positive direction, and he has all the facts and the record to back it up. If you want change, start by giving him two more years.

Endorsements are the viewpoints of The County's Editorial Board members Elijah Manley, and Luc Saint-Genies. Endorsement may or may not reflect the personal beliefs and preferences of individual members of the Editorial Board, or The County's writers.