Broward County Commission turns all blue with Lamar Fisher victory

The Broward County Commission will be made up of all Democrats after the election Tuesday of Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher to replace term-limited Commissioner Chip LaMarca, a Republican.

Fisher defeated former Oakland Park Mayor Shari McCartney in the District 4 race, which includes all or parts of Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-theSea, Lighthouse Point, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach and Sea Ranch Lakes.

Fisher, who has been mayor since 2007, promoted himself as an experienced voice for the cities in the district. He secured the support of five of its seven other mayors.

“I’m so excited and I’m so humbled that the residents of District 4 elected me to that position and I will not let them down,” Fisher said.

Fisher said his first priorities are getting “involved in the transportation component” with Tuesday’s voter approval of a transportation sales tax increase, creating more affordable housing in the county and “staying focused on the sea level rising and climate change.”

McCartney, who served a one-year rotating term as mayor and gave up her Oakland Park commission seat early to move to Fort Lauderdale, campaigned as a fiscal conservative who would counterbalance the eight Democrats on the commission. Democrat Fisher raised nearly triple the campaign funds, outpacing Republican McCartney $301,000 to $110,000.

“All of my neighbors are big supporters. He came highly recommended from our entire block,” said Fort Lauderdale resident Annette King, who voted for Fisher.

In a separate commission race, Commissioner Mark Bogen easily turned away a write-in challenge by Antwoine Lovett Sr. Whether Tuesday’s vote is the end of Bogen’s race remains to be seen.

Ryan Ross, the opponent Bogen beat in the August Democratic primary, is in court seeking to have Lovett’s write-in candidacy thrown out. If that happens, Ross is seeking a new election between him and Bogen open to all the district’s voters, not just Democrats. Bogen’s District 1 seat represents all or parts of Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Margate and Pompano Beach.