Name: Andy Thomson
Office sought: Mayor, City of Boca Raton
Campaign website: www.AndyThomson.com
Date, place of birth: August 18, 1982 in Fort Lauderdale
Generally speaking, is Boca Raton on the right track or the wrong track, and why?
Boca Raton is generally on the right track, but we are at an important crossroads. Our city benefits from strong finances, great neighborhoods and schools, and an engaged community. At the same time, residents are increasingly concerned about affordability, growth and development, traffic, and protecting public land. The next mayor must focus on listening to residents, managing growth responsibly, and preserving the quality of life that makes Boca Raton special.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 1, and why? (police headquarters, public safety improvements)
I will vote Yes on Ballot Question No. 1. Our current police headquarters is undersized for our current population and structurally inadequate – it’s not built to withstand a hurricane of any significant strength. Although I do not believe the City needs to spend $175 million to build a new headquarters (a belief I communicated to our staff when the proposal was being prepared), a new
headquarters is needed.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 2, and why? (Lease of downtown land, public improvements, Memorial Park)
I will vote No on Ballot Question No. 2. I have been opposed to the Terra-Frisbie plan for the government campus for over a year – the only councilmember to oppose it – and voted against it at the interim stage in March and June 2025 and at the final vote on January 20, 2026. I was the one who, at our meeting on September 9, 2025, demanded and convinced the Terra-Frisbie developers and the council to hold a referendum on this project.
The deal is simply not a good one for the City of Boca Raton – unlike most public-private partnerships, this one requires the CITY to pay for our new city facilities (city hall, community center, police substation, and recreation) upfront, with the hope that the City will get paid back over time. In other words, this partnership allocates all of the risk on the City. Also, the City is in a strong enough position financially that it does not need to give away public land in order to afford new City facilities; we can build these new facilities ourselves without raising taxes.
Are you satisfied that the ballot language approved by the City Council accurately reflects the details of the ballot questions?
On Ballot Question No. 1, yes. The language is straightforward, factual, and neutral.
On Ballot Question No. 2, absolutely not. I spoke at great length at our Council meeting on December 2, 2025 explaining all of the ways in which the proposed ballot language was slanted heavily in favor of the proposed deal. I had AI analyze the proposed language and asked, on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being the most opposed and 10 being the most in favor), where the proposed language fell. ChatGPT concluded that the proposed language is an 8.5 or 9 out of 10 – meaning that it was “strongly pro-project.”
I pushed to have the language be neutral and factual, not a sales-pitch in favor of the project. I noted that the City knows how to draft neutral language for resident votes – we had done so recently for the police headquarters bond (see Question No. 1). My council colleagues disagreed and approved a slightly-revised version in a 4-1 vote.
The video of my full discussion on this ballot language from the Council meeting on December 2, 2025 can be viewed here: youtube.com/live/5Zw8GquxwTI.
The Florida Legislature is considering proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes. Do you agree the taxes are too high, and what tax cut proposals do you support?
The City of Boca Raton’s tax rate is already relatively low – our millage (3.66) is a fraction of the millage of our neighbors (Delray Beach’s is 6.19, Boynton Beach’s is 7.8, West Palm Beach’s is 8.19). In my time on the City Council, I voted six times to cut our tax rate, so I have been working to reduce our tax rate over time while making sure that the City continues to provide high-quality services. I will continue to keep our taxes low and cut them when possible.
I know that the Legislature is contemplating a series of proposals that will reduce or eliminate property taxes. I have not analyzed these proposals in depth yet because so much time is left in the session and it is unclear which ones (if any) will survive the legislative process and make it to a ballot as a constitutional amendment. But generally I believe local governments can continue to provide quality services without a massive disruption if the homestead exemption were to be increased some. Whatever happens, our city must be prepared for the possibility of revenue losses and have a clear plan to maintain world-class services, public safety, and amenities without increasing the burden on taxpayers.
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?
Experience, knowledge of our City’s history, and knowing when (and how) to say no.
First, I have by far the most experience of anyone running. I’ve served on our City Council for six years and know how to do the job.
Second, knowledge of our City’s history. My parents came to Boca Raton in 1967 to attend Florida Atlantic University. We have seen our City grow and appreciate our City’s charm and character. I have been involved in many of the major decisions that have faced our City in the last decade.
Third, I know when – and how – to say no. Managing growth is an important priority of mine and our residents. When it comes to requests to develop or redevelop, some running do not know how to say no; others have promised to vote no on everything. Neither approach is responsible. When a proposed development goes too far – like in the case of the government campus or in prior requests to build on Boca’s beaches in 2019 and again in 2025 – I have said no, and have done so in a way that is not subject to reversal on appeal or left the City exposed to a lawsuit.
List in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent, colleges and universities attended with years of attendance and degrees held.
J.D., University of Miami School of Law; 2005-2008
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Georgia Tech; 2000-2004
List in reverse the chronological order your work history for the past 10 years.
Adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University teaching local and state government (2022-present)
City Councilmember, City of Boca Raton (2018-2022 and 2024-present)
Attorney, Baritz & Colman LLP (2016-present)
Attorney, Proskauer Rose LLP (2011-2016)
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details and disposition.
No
Have you ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No