The race to be mayor of Wilton Manors offers contrasting candidates.

Incumbent Scott Newton is a lifelong resident of the city. Mike Sansevero is a longtime resident and local realtor. Mark Beigay is relatively new to the city, having moved here in early 2023 and works at Covenant House as an intake case manager.

The Gazette has interviewed Newton and Sansevero about the upcoming race. Beigay, however, is a fresh entrant to city politics. He talked with the Gazette and gave a look into his motivations.

Beigay grew up outside Pittsburgh, PA, and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in education with a major in communications media and a minor in technical theater. He has worked in environmental health and safety.

“Safety and Risk Management are priorities to me in whatever my pursuits are. And will be as mayor of Wilton Manors.”

He lived in Fort Lauderdale in the early ‘90s, but it was a fateful trip that drew him to the Island City permanently.

“I returned for a visit to Wilton Manors in October 2022, with my gay brother, who had been visiting Wilton Manors annually for many years. He loves Wilton Manors. And I fell in love with Wilton Manors all over again and decided I was going to move to Wilton Manors and work towards becoming mayor of the city that had such a great impact upon me from this visit at this time in my life.”

Beigay says his goal is to make the city even more welcoming.

“I want to ensure that all people who come into the city, whether it be residents of the city, vacationers to the city, business owners and their employees that come here to work, and those that come into Wilton Manors for entertainment and dining experiences have a voice and know that they will be heard and their issues and concerns will be addressed.”

The election is scheduled for Nov. 5.