A Clean Slate for Key West PAC officially endorses Commissioner Sam Kaufman
We are honored to share that A Clean Slate for Key West PAC has officially endorsed Commissioner Sam Kaufman as their first candidate in the Clean Slate initiative. Their support reflects what many in our community already know: Sam is a principled, independent leader who puts Key West residents first.
The PAC praised Sam’s record of honesty, transparency, and consistent advocacy for working families, local neighborhoods, and responsible government. Their decision highlights Sam’s decade of hands-on service—fighting for affordable housing, strengthening city services, protecting our environment, improving our parks, and ensuring fairness in decisions that impact everyday residents.
This endorsement underscores a clear message: Key West is ready for leadership that listens, includes the community, and moves past the insider politics that have held our city back. Sam is committed to restoring trust in City Hall and leading with integrity, accountability, and a genuine respect for the people who call this island home.
We invite you to read the full statement from A Clean Slate for Key West PAC below. Their words show why momentum is building behind Sam’s campaign—and why so many across the island believe he is the right choice to guide Key West forward.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Clean Slate for Key West PAC Names Sam Kaufman as First Candidate in
the Clean Slate
Key West, FL — Today, A Clean Slate for Key West PAC proudly announces
Commissioner Sam Kaufman as the PAC’s first endorsed candidate in the Clean
Slate initiative. A longtime District II Commissioner and local attorney with more
than a decade of service to Key West, Sam brings proven leadership, deep
community commitment, and a principled approach to local government.
This announcement comes after Mayor Danise Henriquez declared her intent to
seek reelection. After careful evaluation of both candidates, A Clean Slate for Key
West PAC finds the choice clear: Sam Kaufman represents a break from the
entrenched culture of favoritism, cronyism, and insider deals that have defined
City Hall for too long. Mayor Henriquez’s record reflects the old guard: a system
where access and opportunity are reserved for the few. Kaufman offers a new
path forward: one rooted in fairness, transparency, and community-first
Leadership.
Sam Kaufman has championed practical, community-centered policy across
parks, housing, transportation, the City Marina, and public safety. Key
accomplishments include:
• Legislative: Sponsored creation of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board;
Sight-Seeing Ordinance (Dec 2015); E-Bike Ordinance; increased cruise
passenger disembarkation fees; Resolution 19-238 to evaluate/include solar in
City capital projects; priority for low & very low-income residents for Land
Authority funds; 2021 Pump-Out policy requiring proof of pump-out for
anchorage/mooring vessels; Anchorage Boaters legislation; increase to minimum
pay for City employees.
• City Marina: Ensured Garrison Bight submerged-lands lease revenues remain
in the Garrison Bight fund; led community meetings and lease provisions for the
2019 liveaboard lease; advanced development of the new Dockmaster Building.
• Transportation: Advocated to keep Thomas Street Parking Lot free for locals;
supported the Bike-Ped Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
• Housing: Advocated Sigsbee Park Housing rebuild (166 units); sponsored
dedication of new building allocation units for affordable housing; supported John
Jones Center and Garden View Apartments; renewed Homebuyers Assistance
Program; worked to enforce affordable-housing deed restrictions; advanced
permanent supportive housing at City-owned Poinciana campus.
• Community: Advocated for the Frederick Douglass Educators Museum;
sponsored Cozumel Park renovations and splash pad; brought PAL funding into
the City budget; sponsored the Pet Mill Prohibition Ordinance; created the
Commissioner’s Lower Keys Medical Center Task Force; sponsored funding for
Boys & Girls Club facility at Bayview Park; supported Rainbow Flag at City Hall
and Rainbow Crosswalks; led COVID relief efforts including rental assistance and
funding for testing, food pantry, and utility support.
“We might not agree with every vote he’s made, but we wholeheartedly support
Sam’s honest approach to doing what’s best for Key West,” said A Clean Slate
for Key West PAC. “Sam’s record shows a consistent commitment to
transparency, community outreach, and accountable leadership. He is the kind of
public servant who will restore trust in City Hall and lead with the integrity our city
Deserves.”
Chris McNulty, who recently withdrew from the mayoral race, shared his support:
“I am incredibly excited to see that Sam Kaufman has announced his campaign
for Mayor of Key West. Throughout these recent high-profile decisions at Key
West City Hall, I witnessed Sam Kaufman consistently speaking up for the people
of Key West. He articulately fights for our rights and sovereignty as an island
community in the face of federal and state overreach. With his tenured
experience and integrity, I know that Commissioner Kaufman is the right person
for the job of Mayor of Key West at this time, and I intend to work with him to
ensure that he wins this race and brings accountability back to our local
Government.”
A Clean Slate for Key West PAC intends for every candidate in the slate to win,
and the PAC will work hard to ensure that anyone competing for mayor faces not
just Sam Kaufman but an organized, citywide Clean Slate movement committed
to honest government, community engagement, and transparent decisionmaking.
“We’re proud to have Sam as our anchor candidate,” said the PAC. “He
exemplifies the clean slate we’re promoting: fewer back room deals, more
community outreach, clearer communication, and leadership that listens. Key
West needs leaders who will put the public first, not just reward the wellconnected. Sam is exactly that kind of leader.”
Residents are encouraged to get involved:
• Sign up for updates at: CleanSlateKW.com
• Join the conversation on Facebook: A Clean Slate for Key West PAC
Paid political advertisement paid for by A Clean Slate for Key West PAC, a
nonpartisan committee unaffiliated with any candidate or political party
”