OutSFL Newspaper is reporting that The race for Wilton Manors’ next mayor may be more than a year away, but it’s already heating up. City Commissioner Paul Rolli has officially declared his candidacy for the November 2026 election, hoping to succeed Mayor Scott Newton, who will not seek reelection. Rolli, who has lived in Wilton Manors for two decades and served two years as vice mayor, told The Gazette why he’s jumping in so early.
He said,
“I’ve been talking to residents one-on-one. I decided it was easier to come out early. I can plan for my campaign and it tells other people who’s already in the race.”
OutSFL’s senior reporter John Hayden reports his campaign will focus on infrastructure, growth, and public safety. Rolli also sees artificial intelligence as an untapped tool to streamline city services. Development is high on his agenda. While many projects have been approved, construction delays continue. Rolli says it’s time to revisit zoning codes and hear directly from experts. He’s also open to revisiting height restrictions, noting that existing high-rises like Wilton Tower haven’t harmed neighborhoods.
Public safety costs are climbing, with police, fire, and rescue contracts all outpacing inflation. Rolli insists quality comes with a price.
He told Hayden, “Everybody wants to keep the police. Well, you have to pay for them.”
OutSFL mentions that the city’s library is another hot-button issue. Rolli supports shifting control to the county, saying residents are being double-taxed. While acknowledging the library’s children’s programs, he argues modernization and volunteers can carry some of the load.
If elected, Rolli would mark history — the first openly gay mayor since the death in office of the last gay leader of Wilton Manors.
