Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln Files for Re-election

Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln officially filed paperwork to seek another term as Monroe County mayor, with the re-election filing published March 5, 2026. At press time, she is the only declared candidate for the position; the county’s qualifying period for the 2026 commission election runs June 8–12, 2026.

Lincoln holds the mayor’s title as chair of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners after the board selected her to serve as chair and she received the gavel from outgoing Mayor Jim Scholl. The commissioners recognized Scholl for his mayoral duties and for “leading the county through important budget conversations this year, particularly during the summer months,” the county said; photo captions of the gavel pass and thank-you moments were recorded in the county’s meeting coverage.

A full-time Keys resident since 1999, Lincoln represents District 2, a swath that covers Boca Chica in the Lower Keys north through the Seven Mile Bridge and includes the north side of U.S. 1 up to the neighborhoods behind the Marathon Airport. She was first elected in November 2018 and previously served on the Marathon City Council from 2015 to 2018; the county biography also notes she sat on the Marathon City Council for three years and served one year as Marathon mayor.

Lincoln’s public-service resume includes years as a child advocate coordinator for the state Guardian ad Litem program and ongoing volunteer work representing abused children in local proceedings. Her county biography lists memberships in Marathon Rotary, the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce and Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mentorship in Take Stock in Children, Leadership Monroe County Class XX alumni status, and a seat on the Florida Keys Board of Directors for the Area Health Education Center. Her official county contact information is listed as boccdis2@monroecounty-fl.gov and 305-292-4512.

On the statewide stage, Lincoln was inducted as president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) in a ceremony the county recorded as taking place June 26, 2025, with a page headline dated July 3, 2025. Her daughter, Mallory Pinto of Marathon, swore her in, and county officials including Mayor Jim Scholl and Commissioners David Rice and Holly Merrill Raschein attended the conference along with Administrator Christine Hurley and assistant administrators. Lincoln said of the association, “This association unifies all 67 counties, each with diverse needs and perspectives, to work toward a common goal of protecting local governance,” and added, “I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the power of advocacy, collaboration, and education in connecting our counties. I’m truly honored and thankful for the opportunity to help guide us in this important work.” Ginger Delegal, FAC executive director, praised Lincoln’s accomplishments and said she has “full confidence she will propel our mission forward with new initiatives and ideas.”

Lincoln told reporters by phone on March 3, “I still have a passion to serve my community, and the best way I know how to do that is by being an elected official.” She added, “Because I was once on the Marathon City Council, and because I’m so active in Rotary and the Chamber (of Commerce), I feel I’ve stayed in tune with what our community wants.” Lincoln joins Mayor Pro Tem David Rice among the only prefiled candidates so far; Rice is set to run for re-election in Marathon and Islamorada’s District 4 and was first elected to the board in 2002, with reelections since 2010. Lincoln’s filing sets the stage for the June 8–12 qualifying window that will finalize the 2026 list of county commission candidates.