The Honorable Brenda J. La Paz
Mayor, City of Carrabelle

Mayor La Paz and her husband relocated to Carrabelle from the Atlanta area in 2008, after owning a vacation home there for 13 years. By 2011, she realized their new hometown needed a fresh vision, more transparency from city government, and younger representation on the city commission. At age 56, she was elected by a landslide as a Carrabelle City Commissioner.

In early 2015, the mayor’s seat became vacant, and in another landslide victory, she was elected mayor. In the midst of COVID-19 concerns and implementation of mitigation procedures, the 2020 election took place. To her surprise, she received a terrific testimonial from the citizens of Carrabelle and was uncontested in the election.

The city’s infrastructure improvements, clean-up efforts, and demonstration of the city investing in itself through the CRA and new city Hall building have stimulated new private investment and promoted pride in ownership by business and homeowners. As Mayor La Paz promised, Carrabelle has not been “changed,” but has been rejuvenated, making the community a great place to visit and a place to proudly call home.

Along with her duties as mayor, she sits as chairwoman of the Carrabelle CRA, a member of the Apalachee Regional Planning Council Board of Directors, a member of the Franklin County Tourist Development Council Board of Directors, and a member and past chair of the Franklin County Community Traffic Safety Team.