Last week, I made the difficult decision to step out of the Boca Raton City Council race for Seat D. This choice did not come lightly. It was brought to my attention that one of my opponents planned to use a loophole to challenge my eligibility.
Stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away.
Jessica Gray
Like most everyday residents, I am not backed by large donors, PACs or political networks. I want everyone reading this to know, throughout all of this, my residency has not changed since 2004.
I was informed that this situation could lead to a potential lawsuit immediately following the qualifying deadline last Wednesday the 12th. Apparently, in Boca, when an opponent can’t beat you on merit, they find a loophole. After consulting with peers, it became clear that engaging in a lengthy and expensive legal battle is not the best path forward for me or for the community I care so deeply about.
Negative Campaigning is Rooted in Fear
This experience has only reinforced something I have spoken about for many years: negative campaigning has become the most harmful tactic in local elections.
Spreading misleading information to harm another person’s reputation happens not just at a national level, but right here in our city. It is a tactic rooted in fear, not leadership. It wears down voters, distorts the truth, and drowns out honest conversations about our city.
To me, this creates a larger concern: If a candidate is willing to tear someone down just to win, what does that say about the character they will bring into office? They are showing you exactly how they will lead, how they will speak to residents, and how they will treat those who disagree with them.
We are living in a time when our city (and our country) needs the opposite of this. We need leaders who don’t tear others down. We need leaders who listen. We need leaders who remember that public service is about people, not power.
To the residents who believed in me, thank you. Your encouragement means more than you know. Stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away. I’m committed to this community, and that commitment isn’t going anywhere.
For now, I hope every resident stays informed and engaged. Look closely at who finances campaigns, follow the money. I have always said, “Your voice is your vote”. So please vote and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Choose leaders who build others up instead of tearing them down. And don’t let negativity decide the future of our city.
Boca deserves better. And I’m still here for it.
