Susan Whelchel

Susan Whelchel (born c. 1944) is an American politician and former teacher. She served two terms as the Mayor of the city of Boca Raton, Florida, from 2008 until 2014.

Whelchel received a Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University. She is a former teacher. Before becoming mayor, Whelchel served on the Boca Raton city council, a member of the Community Redevelopment Agency, a and member of the local school board.

Whelchel was elected Mayor of Boca Raton in 2008 unopposed, succeeding outgoing Mayor Steven L. Abrams, who was term limited. She took office in April 2008. The 2008 mayoral election marked that first time that a candidate had run unopposed for mayor since 1978, when Boca Raton voters began electing their mayor directly.

Initially, it appeared that Whelchel would again run for re-election unopposed in 2011, but a second candidate, Linda Spurling Gruneisen, filed to run just before the deadline. Whelchel defeated Spurling Gruneisen by a nine to one margin in the mayoral election held on March 8, 2011, to win a second, three-year term. Whelchel received 3,903 votes (85.37%), while Spurling Gruneisen garnered 669 votes (14.63%).

Under Whelchel, Boca Raton has installed red light cameras, as well as the city's first parking meters. She has advocated for the use of green technology in building construction. She has opposed tax increases and advocated for cuts to city spending. During her second term, Whelchel promised to focus on job creation and the revitalization of downtown Boca Raton.

Whelchel, who is term limited and cannot run for mayor again is scheduled to leave office on March 2014, as Boca Raton's mayor is limited to two terms of three years. The next mayoral election to succeed Whelchel will be held on March 11, 2014. City Council member Anthony Majhess and Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie have filed to run in the forthcoming election.