About Jim Lewis

Hello, my name is Jim Lewis and I’m running for the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale in the

November 2024 election.

I have lived in Fort Lauderdale for 36 years, I have raised 4 children here in our city and

now I’m blessed with two grandchildren. Three of my children graduated from St. Thomas

Aquinas high school and my youngest graduated from Cardinal Gibbons. My stepson went to

Crescent Park Elementary and now Saint Jerome.

I have been fortunate enough to live in great Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods like Galt

Ocean Mile, Harbor Inlet, Las Olas Isles, Coral Ridge, Bermuda Riviera, Fort Lauderdale beach,

and Downtown.

I have a Bachelors degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida,

and a law degree from Stetson University. I was an adjunct law professor and Nova University

for over 20 years. I worked in government for 12 years, as a prosecutor, and assistant attorney,

general, and as a staff attorney for Florida Governor Bob Graham.

I have owned and managed my own law firm in downtown Fort Lauderdale for 32 years.

I’m no stranger to Fort Lauderdale politics as I ran for mayor of Fort Lauderdale some 30 years

ago. I didn’t win, but that campaign brought much needed discussion to issues of public safety

and economic opportunity.

I have decided to run for Fort Lauderdale Mayor now because I am concerned about the

direction of our city. Unchecked growth threatening our quality of life, favoring the interests of

developers over the interests of our neighborhoods. Our city has been plagued with crisis after

crisis because of poor government planning. Bursting sewer lines because of years of

neglect.Tax money squandered on pet projects instead of basic infrastructure. Our residents will

now pick up the tab for a $500 million municipal bond offering because we didn’t fund basic

infrastructure. A City Hall that is now closed because of years of neglect and the inability of our

city government to work with the county to build a new one. City employees and Police housed

in expensive temporarily leased space because our city government does not plan ahead. Our city

government falling prey to fraudsters by writing million dollar checks for fake work

projects. The current mayor has been in city government for much of the time these failures have

occurred.

By and large, average income people can’t afford to live in Fort Lauderdale anymore.

Little affordable housing and skyrocketing rents leave most families struggling to survive. Many

neighborhoods are being neglected, and things like new parks being promised, but not being

delivered. We have some great schools in Fort Lauderdale but some underachieve and they need

our attention. The homelessness and mentally ill still sleep on our downtown streets and violent

crimes continue to be a problem in many neighborhoods. Too many of our young people become

addicted to drugs; we need to help them. All of this despite record tax collections from increased

property values. Increased tax bills and soaring home insurance rates are forcing many good,

hardworking people to leave our city.

Every neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale should be given the same opportunity to be safe,

clean and prosperous. While we don’t need more luxury skyscrapers, we do need more good

paying jobs. As your mayor, I will fight for you, the resident, the taxpayer, and the small

businesses that give our city life. As your Mayor, I will invest in our neighborhoods, and plan for

the future with vision and efficiency.

We need to hire and promote our city employees based on merit, qualifications, and their

ability to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, or vacations here. Our city

should embrace family values and respect the role churches, synagogues and other religious

organizations play in our city.

Please follow the campaign, share with me your thoughts, concerns, and ideas for our

City. I’m Jim Lewis, running to be your Mayor, Fort Lauderdale will be ‘”Our city… Our way.”

Thank you for your consideration

Jim Lew