Former Broward County court clerk to challenge his ex-wife for position

A high-ranking elected official in Broward County, Fla., has decided to return from retirement and challenge his ex-wife for the position she currently holds. 

Howard Forman, the former Broward clerk of courts, on Monday filed to run for the position again, The Sun Sentinel reported. His opponent will be his ex-wife and the current clerk, 60-year-old Brenda Forman.

{mosads}Howard Forman, 73, held the position from 2000 to his retirement in 2016 when his then-wife ran for the seat. Brenda Forman had no political experience, no college degree and no background in management when she ran to replace her husband, the newspaper noted.

She encouraged voters to keep the Forman name going in the position. Both Formans are Democrats.

Brenda Forman won the election and took office with a salary of $178,865. The position oversees nearly 1,000 employees who provide support to 90 judges. The clerk also manages a $37 million budget, according to The Sun Sentinel.

Howard Forman, former Broward clerk of courts (and former longtime state senator), files paperwork to run against Brenda Forman, his ex-wife and current clerk of court.
Below, in happier times, at Deerfield Beach Democratic Club lunch in 2015.https://t.co/UdhYCSbk3m pic.twitter.com/wgTehyHihs

— Anthony Man (@browardpolitics) March 19, 2019

Howard Forman filed for divorce in 2017 after four years of marriage, the newspaper reported. He told the newspaper that his decision to return from retirement has nothing to do with Brenda Forman accusing him of suffering from early onset dementia amid the divorce proceedings.

A judge determined that Howard Forman did not have any mental incapacity, ruling that his ex-wife’s claim was made in bad faith. The newspaper noted that the finding is currently being reviewed.

“I don’t have any hard feelings about that at all,” Howard Forman told the newspaper. “I’m over it.”

His said his main concern is that the office runs “efficiently and has purpose.”

He told the Sun Sentinel that he wants to emerge from retirement despite his age because he is feeling “very youthful” at this point of his life.

“I tried retirement, and it was interesting. I kept busy. That was my biggest challenge,” Howard Forman said.

He said he expects his interactions with his ex-wife at candidate forums to be cordial. Brenda Forman did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.

There is a third Democrat vying for the position against the former couple.

Michael Francis filed his papers in October with the Supervisor of Elections Office, The Sun Sentinel reported. A fourth candidate is also expected to enter the race.