Fire Union, Business Groups Rally Behind Nachlas for Boca Mayor

The Professional Fire Fighters of Palm Beach County have endorsed Fran Nachlas for Boca Raton mayor, joining a coalition of business leaders backing the candidate who has made fiscal responsibility a centerpiece of her campaign.

The endorsement comes as Boca Raton faces mounting financial pressures typical of South Florida municipalities grappling with rising infrastructure costs and insurance expenses. Nachlas, a former city council member, has positioned herself as the candidate best equipped to navigate these business challenges while maintaining essential city services.

“We believe Fran Nachlas has the experience and leadership qualities necessary to serve as mayor of Boca Raton,” the union stated in their endorsement. The firefighters union represents approximately 150 professional firefighters serving the city.

Beyond the firefighters, Nachlas has secured backing from several prominent business organizations and leaders throughout Palm Beach County. The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind her candidacy, along with multiple real estate and development professionals who view her as a pro-business candidate.

The endorsements highlight a key dynamic in the race: Nachlas’s appeal to both public safety workers and the business community. This dual support base reflects her platform of maintaining strong city services while keeping spending in check – a balancing act familiar to municipalities across South Florida.

Nachlas served on the Boca Raton City Council from 2018 to 2022, where she frequently questioned budget proposals and pushed for more transparent financial reporting. During her council tenure, she consistently advocated for business-friendly policies while supporting adequate funding for police and fire services.

The firefighters’ endorsement carries particular weight given recent debates over public safety funding in Boca Raton. The city has faced the same pressures as other South Florida municipalities in retaining and recruiting firefighters amid regional competition for qualified personnel.

“Public safety is not an area where you can cut corners,” Nachlas said in response to the endorsement. “Our firefighters and police officers deserve the resources they need to protect our community.”

The business community’s support reflects concerns about Boca Raton’s future economic competitiveness. With neighboring municipalities offering various incentive packages to attract development, local business leaders view the mayoral race as crucial for the city’s economic trajectory.

Several real estate professionals have cited Nachlas’s understanding of development issues and her track record of supporting projects that add to the tax base without compromising the city’s character. Her council voting record shows consistent support for mixed-use developments and commercial projects that met zoning requirements.

The endorsements also underscore the importance of coalition-building in Boca Raton politics, where successful candidates typically need support from both residents concerned about quality of life issues and business interests focused on economic growth.

Nachlas has emphasized her experience navigating these competing interests during her council tenure. She points to her votes supporting both neighborhood preservation measures and strategic development projects as evidence of her balanced approach.

The firefighters union noted Nachlas’s consistent support for public safety funding during budget discussions. Even as she questioned other spending priorities, she rarely challenged requests for fire department equipment or personnel.

Business leaders have highlighted her accessibility and willingness to engage with the private sector on policy issues. Several chamber members noted her regular attendance at business community events and her responsiveness to concerns about regulations affecting local companies.

As Boca Raton voters prepare for the election, these endorsements signal the coalitions taking shape around different candidates. The combination of public safety and business support gives Nachlas a broad base spanning both city employees and private sector interests.

The endorsements come at a time when South Florida municipalities face unprecedented fiscal challenges, from rising insurance costs to infrastructure needs exacerbated by population growth. How candidates propose to balance these pressures while maintaining services has become a defining issue across the region.

For Nachlas, the dual endorsement from firefighters and business leaders reinforces her argument that fiscal responsibility and adequate public services are not mutually exclusive – a message that could resonate with voters concerned about both their tax bills and their safety.