The Karol Markowicz Show: Boca Raton’s Growth, Leadership & the American Dream with Mayor Scott Singer

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Karol Markowicz
Guest: Mayor Scott Singer, Boca Raton, Florida

Episode Overview

This episode features a dynamic conversation between Karol Markowicz and Boca Raton’s Mayor Scott Singer, exploring the city’s growth, how it’s become a magnet for business and families, and Mayor Singer’s philosophy as a local leader. The discussion dives into Boca Raton’s evolving demographics, sustainable development, economic strategy, and Singer’s own motivations in public service. The tone is upbeat, conversational, and suffused with civic pride, optimism, and a strong defense of the “American Dream.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Boca Raton’s Growth & Civic Identity

• Boca’s Centennial and Civic Legacy

  • Boca Raton celebrates its centennial, offering an opportunity to look back at, and improve upon, a city designed with care by previous generations.
  • Singer: “A lot of people before me planned a beautiful city, and we’re trying to just make it better for the next generation. And that is what’s motivating me to try to talk all the good I can about Boca Raton, especially our wonderful business climate.” (04:02)

• Demographic Shift Toward Youth

  • Despite a stereotype of being a retirement haven, Boca is skewing younger. Median age now just over 46, with strong growth in schools and demand for family amenities.
  • “Our median age is now 46 and change. I’m over the median age now. I wasn’t when I started as mayor. … But I’m glad to see that we’re getting younger.” (06:46)
  • Boca contrasts with nearby Palm Beach, where the median age is 20 years older.

Business Climate & Political Migration

• Attracting Business and Political Realignment

  • Boca’s business-friendly environment is emphasized, with a focus on attracting “job creators” fleeing high-tax, heavily-regulated “socialist” cities.
  • Singer addresses concerns about newcomers potentially voting for the policies they fled, noting that statistics show migrants are making Florida more Republican.
    • “We now have 1.7 million more Republican voters than we did six and a half, seven years ago… They’re voting Republican. So that, that, that migration of people is what’s changing the voter rolls here.” (05:28)

• Urban Growth, Density, and Character Preservation

  • Singer distinguishes Boca’s “measured growth” and commitment to its low-rise, suburban character, compared to the denser, taller cities like Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
    • “Our height limits are 140ft in our downtown, the rest of the city, seven, seven stories… We’re mostly single family neighborhoods…” (11:57)
  • Affordable and mixed-use housing are introduced only where appropriate, aiming to support workers and maintain city spirit.

Personal Reflections and Leadership

• Journey into Public Service

  • Singer did not aspire to be mayor as a child; his path started in law and evolved into local leadership when he sought to help create opportunities for his (then toddler) son and the city’s youth.
    • “I lost seven straight student council elections from third grade to ninth grade. Finally got elected, and I’ve had more success since there. … It was really just an opportunity to create better opportunities for our children.” (08:37, 09:41)

• On Leaving Office & Next Steps

  • As he nears his term limit, Singer is considering future public service opportunities but remains focused on his city’s progress.
    • “I love public service. It has been very fulfilling… Meanwhile, I’m focused on making the most of what I can the next four months.” (10:41)

Memorable Moments

• Favorite Restaurants in Boca Raton

  • Singer and Markowicz share enthusiasm for Boca’s food scene, especially Alley Cat by Chef Eric Baker, Max’s in Mizner Park, Trattoria Romano, and “hundreds” of other choices.
    • “The great thing about Boca Raton is we’ve got hundreds of great choices. … I could just go on and take up the entire podcast actually.” (08:08)

• Family Pride

  • Singer’s proudest achievement: being a father.
    • “I’m most proud of our children… They’re turning into wonderful people and I’d like to think I had some hand in that.” (17:57)
    • “Fathers count.” — Markowicz (18:10)

Boca’s Economic & Tech Future

• Business Attraction and Downtown Revitalization
  • Boca actively courts companies from New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Upcoming public-private partnerships (e.g., near the Brightline station) promise to revitalize downtown and create jobs.
    • “I think we’ve changed the climate and tried to make the city work more efficiently, work better for residents, be welcoming to businesses and really achieve great success.” (18:12)
    • Boca’s innovation tradition: “The IBM personal computer was invented in Boca Raton 1981… Now AI in Boca Raton is part of our core.” (19:36)

Broader Reflections & Five-Year Outlook

• Optimism and American Ideals

  • Singer encourages hope and civic optimism even in challenging times, defending capitalism and American ideals as engines of prosperity and opportunity.
    • “Every day is an opportunity to do something great... there are institutional forces that benefit from people being angry. … Capitalism, America have been the two biggest providers of…opportunity in the history of humanity.” (22:06)

• On National Politics and Trump Admiration

  • Singer praises the Trump administration’s foreign policy achievements, citing Security Council votes and potential Nobel nominations.
    • “When you have six, seven, eight world leaders nominating the president for the Nobel Peace Prize, it speaks volumes… if President Trump can continue on those foreign policy successes, we’ll have peace in a scale that we have not seen.” (20:23)

• Vision for Boca Raton and Florida

  • Predicts Boca’s continued excellence and Florida’s ongoing appeal as a beacon for those seeking quality of life.
    • “I think we’re going to continue to excel…” (18:57)
    • “Florida is going to continue to be a beacon for people who want a better quality of life.” (20:10)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Boca’s Business Magnetism:
  “I’m trying to highlight why Boca Raton is a better place to do business and attract some high paying jobs to our city.” — Scott Singer (04:02)

• On Political Migration:
  “If they’re fleeing high-tax jurisdictions and they’re coming to Florida... They’re voting Republican. So that, that, that migration of people is what’s changing the voter rolls here.” — Scott Singer (05:28)

• On Boca Raton’s Youth Movement:
  “Our median age is now 46 and change. ... But I’m glad to see that we’re getting younger.” — Scott Singer (06:46)

• Personal Journey:
  “I lost seven straight student council elections from third grade to ninth grade. Finally got elected, and I’ve had more success since there.” — Scott Singer (08:49)

• Proudest Achievement:
  “I’m most proud of our children. ... I’d like to think I had some hand in that.” — Scott Singer (17:57)

• Mayor’s Life Advice:
  “I think a lot of life comes down to outlook. ... Every day is an opportunity to do something great.” — Scott Singer (22:06)

• On Optimism for America:
  “Capitalism, America have been the two biggest providers of, of uplift, wealth, success, opportunity in the history of humanity, and we’re focused on that now.” — Scott Singer (22:39)

Timeline of Key Segments

• [03:17] – Opening greetings & Boca’s appeal
• [04:02] – Mayor Singer’s motivation and Boca’s American Dream
• [05:28] – Political migration and demographic transformation
• [06:46] – Boca’s youthful turn, schools, and family environment
• [07:47] – Local restaurant favorites and city culture
• [08:37] – Singer’s path to public service
• [10:41] – Future plans post-mayoral term
• [11:57] – Boca’s approach to growth and development
• [12:46] – Attracting new residents and business from other states
• [17:57] – Singer’s proudest achievement: His family
• [18:57] – Five-year predictions for Boca and the nation
• [20:23] – Foreign policy, Trump, and peace optimism
• [22:06] – Personal philosophy, optimism, and the American dream

Tone & Takeaways

The episode radiates positivity about Boca Raton’s future and emphasizes the importance of community, pragmatic leadership, and open, business-friendly governance. Mayor Singer’s optimism about America and the local “American dream” is infectious, and both host and guest share a deep commitment to practical solutions, civic pride, and faith in the potential of individuals and cities alike.