Former Councilman Douglas Lawson Steps into Mayoral Role in Riviera Beach

In a surprising but decisive move, the Riviera Beach City Council has named former councilman Douglas Lawson as the city’s new mayor. The appointment came Monday night during a special meeting, following a 3-2 council vote that filled the vacant seat — without an election.

This wasn’t the typical path to office. All candidates who filed to run in the March mayoral race were disqualified due to an overlooked but critical Florida election rule: filing fees must be paid with checks, not debit cards. With no one left on the ballot, the council took it upon themselves to choose the next leader.

A Return to Public Service

Douglas Lawson is no stranger to city government. He served as a Riviera Beach councilman for six years and says he’s ready to get back to work. Speaking just after the vote, Lawson promised to be a steady hand during uncertain times.

“We’re going to hit the ground running,” Lawson said. “There’s a lot of work to do — from fixing infrastructure and boosting economic development, to making sure our residents feel safe and heard. I’m here to serve, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

Lawson will serve as mayor until at least March 2027, unless a special election is called earlier — something some residents are still pushing for.

Residents Voice Frustration Over Process

While some welcomed Lawson’s appointment, others were less than thrilled with how it all unfolded. Several residents voiced concerns that the public had no say in the matter, especially after the candidate disqualifications.

“We didn’t even get a chance to hear from the people who wanted to be mayor,” said local resident Rochelle Baker-Hughes. “No debates, no campaigning, no voting — that doesn’t sit right.”

For many in the community, it wasn’t about Lawson himself, but the process. They felt robbed of the democratic right to choose their next mayor. The council’s decision, though technically legal, has left a lasting impression.

A Divided Council, A Divided Community?

Even among the five council members, the vote was split. Three supported Lawson, while two opposed — suggesting not everyone agreed he was the right choice or that an appointment was the right move.

City leaders acknowledged the controversy but emphasized the urgency of putting someone in place to keep the city functioning.

“The city can’t run without a mayor,” said Council Chairwoman Shirley Lanier, who voted in favor of Lawson. “We made a difficult decision, but one we felt was in the best interest of the city.”

What’s Next for Riviera Beach?

Now that he’s officially in office, Lawson faces some big challenges. Riviera Beach, like many coastal communities, is grappling with aging infrastructure, housing issues, and public safety concerns. He also steps into a divided political climate where many residents are still feeling left out of the process.

But Lawson says he’s ready to listen and lead with transparency.

“I want people to know that my door is open. We can’t move forward if we’re not working together,” he said.

As he settles into the mayor’s office, all eyes will be on how he handles the early days of his term — and whether he can build trust with a community that didn’t get to cast a single vote.