Shock Resignation: Florida Mayor Quits in the Middle of City Meeting

A Florida mayor’s abrupt resignation in the middle of a budget workshop has gone viral and earned cheers from fiscal hawks everywhere.

Frank Hibbard served as mayor of Clearwater from 2004 to 2012, and again from 2020 until Tuesday. He shocked the council one day earlier by announcing he was quitting in the middle of their budget discussion. The reason? His disgust with what he sees as misplaced spending priorities.

Clearwater city leaders want to spend $90 million on a new City Hall. The project, which Hibbard opposes, would incur a $60 million deficit. 

“This is probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in my entire life, but I know it’s right because I’m not a quitter,” said Hibbard. “But I’m not the right leader for the council anymore.”

“In good conscience for my family, for my own health and other things, I cannot remain the mayor,” added Hibbard. 

He then picked up his bag and belongings and left. 

“It was a surprise to me. I didn’t see it coming. I think it was a surprise to all of us,” Councilmember Kathleen Beckman told WFLA.

Watch the resignation heard round the country here.