Caroline Baxter Named Labour Candidate For First Sussex Mayor Election

Councillor and business owner Caroline Baxter has been chosen as Labour’s candidate for next year’s historic Sussex mayoral election.

The election, due to take place in May 2026, will see Brighton and Sussex choose their first-ever regional mayor, who will lead a new Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA).

The mayor and MCCA will oversee major areas such as housing, infrastructure, the economy, environment, public health, and emergency services including police and fire.

Labour confirmed Mrs Baxter’s selection on Monday, November 10.

She joins Conservative candidate Katy Bourne, currently the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, and Liberal Democrat Ben Dempsey in the race.

Mrs Baxter, who represents Worthing East on West Sussex County Council and Central Ward on Worthing Borough Council, has served in local government since 2018.

She was Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration from 2022 to 2024 and previously chaired Sompting Parish Council.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mrs Baxter said she would aim to represent residents “from coast to countryside,” drawing on both her business and council experience.

“I’ve run a company for almost 30 years now, employing staff and working through some challenging times,” she said.

“With West Sussex’s £2 billion budget, I understand the scale of responsibility involved.

"I believe my private and public sector experience together can help unlock growth and opportunity for the region.”

Mrs Baxter added that she would seek to invest in social and affordable housing using new funding announced by the government for mayoral authorities.

She described the creation of the new MCCA as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to simplify local government and reduce bureaucracy.

Originally from East Sussex and educated in Hove, Mrs Baxter moved to Worthing 20 years ago, where she has since raised her family.

The new MCCA will form part of the government’s Local Government Reorganisation scheme, which will replace existing district and county councils with new unitary authorities.

The mayoral election will be held in May 2026, with elections for the new unitary councils expected in May 2027.