TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Lauren Book, It’s taken years for Florida Democrats to get to this place, and it will take years of unrelenting hard work to rebuild what has been lost. I remain proud of the candidates who put up a strong fight and campaigned harder than ever to represent their communities. While Tuesday’s results are deeply painful, I remain determined as ever to work with community leaders across the state to forge a path forward, one that ensures our values and the issues faced by working Floridians are at the forefront of the fight ahead.

Alissa Jean Schafer,

Reproductive care, equality, environmental justice, economic justice — it all took a back seat to special interests on election night, with a few exceptions. But election results don’t make issues go away. Tropical Storm Nicole doesn’t care who won, and neither does sea-level rise or climate change. Folks who were trying to figure out how to pay their skyrocketing rent and energy bills on Tuesday morning still have those concerns today. Lives are still at risk because of gun violence and lack of health care access. The urgency around these issues remains, and it’s on us to move forward, no matter who is in office.

John “Jack” Seiler,

The city of Fort Lauderdale has three new commissioners who were elected this week. Congratulations to newly elected District 1 Commissioner John C. Herbst, the former longtime city auditor; District 3 Commissioner Pam Beasley-Pittman, an ordained minister and retired civilian employee of the Broward Sheriff ’s Office; and District 4 Commissioner Warren Sturman, a Broward Health physician. Despite their diverse backgrounds, all three have significant experience and expertise in public service and community building, and they will take office ready, willing and able to continue to move Fort Lauderdale forward. Good luck and best wishes!

Frank Ortis, Politics played a role in allowing our most treasured first and community responders some help. Voters rejected Amendment 3, which would have increased the homestead exemption for teachers, law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency-medical technicians, paramedics, child-welfare services professionals, active-duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, saving them $80.9 million in the next fiscal year by receiving an additional $50,000 property exemption. Opponents said it wouldn’t help our hometown heroes. I beg to differ and I hope these heroes can continue to serve our communities and live in the area they serve. Amendment 3 would have helped them achieve this.

Nan Rich,

The “Red Wave” may have succeeded in Florida, but it failed to materialize in red and blue states across the country, in large part due to abortion rights. California, Vermont, Montana, Michigan and Kentucky voters rode a “reproductive freedom wave.” Voters in those states were asked to vote on abortion-related proposals and overwhelmingly approved ballot initiatives protecting abortion rights. There is no doubt, Americans, when given a choice, vote resoundingly to protect and preserve the legal right to reproductive freedom. Florida needs to be next! I know the votes would be there to fight back for freedom and protect reproductive rights.

member, Broward Soil and Water Conservation District.

Lauderdale.

member, Florida Senate.

former mayor, Fort

mayor, Pembroke Pines.

member, Florida House of Representatives.

counsel, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L.

Associates.

member, Broward County Commission.

Mike Caruso,

Tuesday evening was a historic night in Palm Beach County. In shocking upsets, two Democrats lost their elections for county commissioner seats, including the incumbent mayor. At the state level, two new representatives will be joining me in the state House next session representing districts in Palm Beach County. Now that hard-fought, partisan elections are in the rear-view mirror, it is important that all Palm Beach elected officials come together to serve the people of our magnificent county. Pressing issues such as property insurance reform, infrastructure improvement and investing in education are too important to allow party politics to prevent common sense solutions from being implemented.

Marlon A. Hill,

Whew! The midterm election is over. This was one of the weariest election cycles, with the onslaught of TV ads, text messages and mail collateral. Congrats to the state GOP team for running a hard-nosed registration, mobilizing and messaging effort, especially in South Florida. I know this takes much effort, and this type of sweat must be saluted on its merits. Notwithstanding, with expanded power comes a heightened scrutiny for what it is used for, how it is deployed, and to whom it will benefit or impact, negatively or positively. The next election cycle, local and national, has already begun. Be sure to update your vote-by-mail request or update your registration. Your role is critical in the balance of power.

Peter Moore,

I just wanted to give a quick thank you to everyone who ran for office, regardless of the success of their campaigns. America was built on everyday people giving of themselves for the betterment of their communities and I’m proud of everyone who put themselves out there. Win or lose, there are always positive things to take away from the experience.

president, Chen Moore and