Open Letter to Monroe County Democratic Party Executive Committee

This is an open letter of objection to the proposed endorsement of Jimmy Weekley for re-election as Key West City Commissioner, District 1 by the Monroe County Democratic Party Executive Committee (DEC).

Your meeting notice for the September 23rd meeting of the DEC includes an agenda action item to act on the recommendation of the DEC Steering Committee to endorse Weekley.

An endorsement of Weekley by the DEC would be contrary to past practice. In the past, the party has remained neutral with respect to races where registered Democrats are opposing each other. Instances from the recent past are as follows: 2009 when Jimmy Weekley and I opposed each other for the Key West City Commission. 2007 when I ran against Charlie Bradford for the Utility Board.  2007 in the race between Teri Johnston and the late Jose Menendez for a seat on the Key West City Commission.

In my view, an endorsement of Weekley by the DEC would mislead the voters into believing that Weekley is the only registered Democrat in the race, which is not correct. I am a registered Democrat and have been one for many years.

In my view, an endorsement by the DEC would allow the DEC to send out a mailer to each registered Democratic voter in District 1 announcing its endorsement of registered Democrat Jimmy Weekley. This would create an un level playing field because I am prohibited by state law from advertising that I am a registered Democrat because the race is nonpartisan.

I strenuously object to the proposed endorsement of Weekley and ask that the agenda item be withdrawn.

Tom Milone