PERSON: Craig Cates

Key West, FL

Mayor

Craig Cates is a Fourth generation Conch born and raised in Key West, Florida. He has been exposed to local government as long as he can remember. His family always wanted to serve their community and make a real difference in their home town. So much so, that his mother Emma Cates served on the Key West City Commission for four years. Mr. Cates grew up in the southernmost city making memories with his siblings eating guavas, Spanish limes and mangoes from the fruit trees and fishing off the White Street pier.

In 1971, Mr. Cates married his high school sweetheart Cheryl. They moved to Hollywood Florida shortly after they were married where their three daughters, Tammy, Nicole and Crystal were born.

The Cates’ returned to Key West in 1986 to raise their family and open their own business. They owned several successful ones in Key West; Cates Automotive, C & C Engine Service, and Napa Auto Parts of Key West. Craig’s passion for cars and boats was evident. This led to his success in drag racing cars for many years. He then started racing Offshore Power Boats. Craig and his brother Scott won the American Power Boat Associations Stock Class World Championship in 1992 with their race boat S40 Conch Attack, a 25 foot outboard catamaran.

Mr. Cates sold Cates Automotive in 2005 but still owned Napa Auto Parts. Upon his semi-retirement, he and Cheryl bought a home in Cape Coral to be closer to their daughter and 3 grandkids in Tampa and lived on their boat in Key West part-time. But their hearts were in Key West and its future.

Craig did not like the direction Key West was taking and with his drive and passion for his native island, he & Cheryl decided to sell their house in Cape Coral and move back permanently to Key West, to help preserve its History and make Key West a great place for generations to come. He knew one way to do this was to be elected as Mayor. He ran for office in 2009, and was elected. Craig was then reelected in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Cheryl and Craig have now been married for over 43 years, and spend all of their time as full time Mayor and First Lady. They can be seen supporting numerous local organizations, not-for-profits and actively serving on many boards throughout Key West & the Florida Keys. They truly enjoy their community and support all the good work that goes on here.

Craig has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee, Military Affairs Committee, the Board of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Honorary Reef Relief member, Ex-officio member of the Key West Vietnam Living Memorial and past member of MARC House and Sunrise Rotary. He was recognized in 2010 by the USS Key West SSN 722 by the officers and crew for his support of the USS Key West SSN 722 Submarine. He was awarded the Key West Business Guild’s Richard Heyman Award in 2013, recognized again for his support of the wounded warrior project in 2013 & 2014 and was the winner of The Bubbas 2014 Key West People’s Choice Award as the “Best Elected Official”.

Craig takes on the tough and not so popular issues and stays very involved with the city’s budget. His focus’ as Mayor are on keeping taxes low (which during his terms he has even been able to keep city taxes lower than unincorporated county taxes), preserve our island’s history, supporting local businesses and for residents to enjoy the best possible quality of life that Key West has to offer.

— cityofkeywest-fl.gov