Martin County

At the Martin County Taxpayers Association dinner on April 18th, Commissioner Harold Jenkins enthusiastically endorsed Mayor Susan Gibbs-Thomas to succeed him as the county commissioner for District 3.

Jenkins has decided not to run for re-election. It came as a complete surprise to the audience when MCTA president, Kevin Powers, handed the mic to him to make the announcement. Gibbs-Thomas and Jenkins attended Martin County High School together and have known each other since childhood. When announcing his unequivocal support, he stated, “She’s an old school mate and a great lady.” Then the two exchanged a hug.

Gibbs-Thomas is serving on the Indiantown Council and as mayor for three terms. She has been on the council for all six years that the village has been incorporated. She has been instrumental in the formation of that government. Gibbs-Thomas is a native of Martin County and has raised her family here. She is the fourth generation of her family that has worked at Warfield Elementary in Indiantown.

Mayor Gibbs-Thomas will have to resign in November from the Indiantown Council once she qualifies. She is anxious for the campaign to get underway. Now that Jenkins has decided not to run and she has his endorsement, Gibbs-Thomas is the favorite to be elected to the BOCC. District 3 encompasses Hobe Sound, Jupiter Island, Indiantown, and a large part of the western part of the county.