Denise Grant is a Jamaican American who was elected on November 5, 2024, as the first black woman mayor of Lauderhill, a thriving Florida city known as “Jamaica Hill” due to the fact that many of her countrymen call it home.
In a recent election, two more Jamaicans, Richard Campbell and John T. Hodgson, were chosen to be city commissioners in the municipal government of Lauderhill, which is in Broward County.
- Advertisement -
After a contentious campaign in which she had to defend accusations of misusing a government car while serving as commissioner in the last days of the campaign, Grant emerged victorious as mayor-elect. She defeated Vice-Mayor Lawrence “Jabbow” Martin.
According to preliminary findings, Grant received 16,117 votes, or 62.55 percent of the total, while Martin received 9,648 votes, or 37.45 percent, according to the Broward County website.
The victories of Hodgson and Campbell both came from four-way battles. Campbell won the fourth commissioner position with 13,020 votes, or 52.13 percent, defeating his closest opponent, Mae Smith, who received 8,046 votes, or 33.66 percent.
With 8,335 votes or 33.75 percent of the total, Hodgson defeated three other candidates for the first commissioner position. Tracey Roach received 7,953 votes, or 32.20 percent.
Following her win, Grant stated that her key goals were small business support, youth and elder programs, and public safety.
Grant explained, “I will also seek to undertake an independent audit of the city’s affairs to understand where things stand and especially to make an informed determination on the way forward where taxes and other critical issues are concerned.”
She has made it apparent that she wants to reduce taxes. She went on to say that she “plans to be laser-focused on the public safety issue, along with providing a business-friendly atmosphere to lure business to the area,” as Lauderhill is regarded as one of those communities with a high crime rate.
In June 2024 Grant stated her goal of taking mayor office in an interview noting, “I decided to seek the office of mayor as I believe I will have more leverage, more capital, and more resources than a commissioner.” She continued, “These are important to improve conditions and move the city of Lauderhill forward.”
The Christiana, Manchester native seemed to suggest that her plans for the city could be furthered by having two of her countrymen serve as commissioners.
Grant is no stranger to controversy; according to published sources, she also escaped a 2023 Florida Department of Law Enforcement inquiry concerning the public official code of ethics and a complaint about her actions toward a commission staffer.
Her supporters pointed out that following in-depth investigations that often took more than a year, she had been exonerated of all the accusations made against her.
Meanwhile, Hodgson and Campbell appear to share some of Grant’s priorities. Hodgson, a former pupil of William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny, stated on his website, “My focus will be on youth development, public safety, business and community development as well as fiscal responsibility.”
In addition to being a former member of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Hodgson presents the folk show John T. On The Morning Ride on WAVS 1170 AM Radio in South Florida.
“To be an elected official is a feeling of trust, respect, and acceptance. The campaign was long and challenging with three other candidates, two Americans and a Haitian. My objectives as commissioner are public safety, property taxes, senior residence, youth development, fiscal responsibility, and accountability,” he told a local media house in a recent interview.
“I will be aiming to make Lauderhill the number one city in the United States,” Campbell stated. He also stated that he would place a high priority on security and economic growth.
The majority of the more than 73,000 residents of Lauderhill are Jamaicans, who also make up the majority of the black population.
Mark A. Douglas, a native of Clarendon, lost to incumbent Michael J. Ryan in the Sunrise mayoral race, while Marlon Bolton was also re-elected as commissioner of the neighboring city of Tamarac.
