Susan Whelchel

Susan Whelchel (August 13, 1944 – August 5, 2022)[1] was an American politician and teacher. She served two terms as the Mayor of the city of Boca Raton, Florida, from 2008 until 2014.[2][3]

Whelchel received a Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University.[1] She was a former teacher.[2] Before becoming mayor, Whelchel served on the Boca Raton city council, a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency, and a member of the local school board.[2]

Whelchel was elected Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 unopposed, succeeding outgoing Mayor Steven L. Abrams, who was term limited.[2][4] She took office in April 2008.[5] The 2008 mayoral election marked the first time that a candidate had run unopposed for mayor since 1978, when Boca Raton voters began electing their mayor directly.[4]

Initially, it appeared that Whelchel would again run for re-election unopposed in 2011, but a second candidate, Linda Spurling Gruneisen, filed to run just before the deadline.[2] Whelchel defeated Spurling Gruneisen by a nine to one margin in the mayoral election held on March 8, 2011, to win a second, three-year term.[2][3] Whelchel received 3,903 votes (85.37%), while Spurling Gruneisen garnered 669 votes (14.63%).[1]

Under Whelchel, Boca Raton installed red light cameras, as well as the city's first parking meters.[2] In addition, she advocated for the use of green technology in building construction,[2] opposed tax increases, and advocated for cuts to city spending.[2] During her second term, Whelchel promised to focus on job creation and the revitalization of downtown Boca Raton.[3]

Whelchel, who was term limited and ineligible to run for mayor again, left office in March 2014. She was succeeded by then-Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie.

Whelchel died from Alzheimer's disease on August 5, 2022, at the age of 77.[6]