Joseph McHugh, a resident of Coral Springs since 1993, was elected to serve as City Commissioner for Seat 5 in November 2024.
Commissioner McHugh proudly served 28 years in law enforcement with the Coral Springs Police Department in various roles. Most recently, McHugh served as an Administrative Captain, overseeing Special Events, Police Vehicle Fleet, and the Body Worn Camera Program. McHugh also served as the department’s spokesperson, ensuring transparency with the public and media outlets.
In addition to his career in public safety, McHugh has demonstrated a heart for community through his passion for local youth sports, especially ice hockey. McHugh serves as an Assistant Coach for the Marjory Stoneman High School ice hockey team and the Florida Junior Panthers travel ice hockey team, both of which his son plays for. He is also a youth ice hockey referee. Embodying the Coral Springs mission to be the premier community in which to live, work, and raise a family, McHugh, along with his wife, Monica, enjoys supporting youth athletics and local businesses.
In his role as an elected official, McHugh looks to see the city maintain premier parks. He also recognizes the important work of public safety and planned programming that unites the community. McHugh is proud of his work on the Special Events Advisory team to host successful community events, creating greater connection among residents. McHugh values maintaining quality city aesthetics and looks forward to working with stakeholders to ensure schools are well-maintained.
An advocate for veterans, McHugh considers himself a patriot who seeks to facilitate strong connections among veterans in the community. He believes in the importance of accessible mental health resources, particularly for veterans, and is passionate about expanding these services to the broader community.
McHugh graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He proudly received numerous awards, letters of commendation and employee recognitions throughout his career.