Longtime Democrat political operative Christian Ulvert — who helped put Sens. Jose Javier Rodriguez and Annette Taddeo, Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber into office — wants a seat of his own now. Ulvert is running for city 
council in Miami Shores and had his kick-off earlier this month.
How many chips you think he’s gonna cash in?
While the municipal election April 9 is non partisan, Ulvert has been a major player on the blue team in Florida for years. In addition to helping Levine Cava, Taddeo and Gelber gain their seats, he also worked on the gubernatorial campaigns for former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and, after he lost, former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who also lost.
In 2017, the American Association of Political Consultants named Ulvert one of the 40 under 40 when it came to the best campaign pros in the country. But when it came time to announce his own bid for public office, this campaign pro did it pretty quietly, on Facebook:
“I’m excited to share that I’ve decided to take on a new challenge and embark on a journey to serve my community. I have filed to run for Miami Shores Village Council because the opportunity to achieve some great things for our Village is extremely exciting. I also reflect on one of my favorite quotes by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has…” as a basis for my run- I’m ready and eager to be part of the positive change that comes through public service!
I will need your help though as no campaign is a journey done alone. We are getting our website ready and our volunteer operation underway- in the meantime though, if you are able to donate, no amount is too small, please click on the link. With your support, we will be able to do great things for Miami Shores!”
Ulvert told Ladra he was encouraged to run by friends and neighbors who (1) felt someone with his government experience and connections to Tallahassee would serve village interests well and (2) said there was no gay candidate and 
no gay council member to represent an increasing demographic. He and husband Carlos Andrade have lived in Miami Shores for two years.
“There’s just so many things going on in our little village. It’s a very diverse community and there are no gays running,” said Ulvert, adding that he has no work or clients in the Shores. Furthermore, it is an unpaid position with no committee meetings. Council members meet once a month on a Tuesday.
“Folks just wanted diversity. And a voice,” Ulvert said.
Four of the seven council seats are up in the election. They currently belong to Mayor Mac Adam Glinn and Council Members Alice Burch, Jonathan Meltz and Steven Zelkowitz.
Zelkowitz is moving so he is not seeking re-election and Glinn is moving also and ending his term early. Burch and Melch are running for re-election. Ulvert is not the only hopeful joining them on the ballot. Also running are 
Stephen Loffredo, Julio Martinez, Miryam Rojas and Crystal Wagar.
The four top vote getters will win seats and the candidate with the highest number of votes serves as mayor for the first two years of a four-year term.
Naturally, Ulvert is leading everybody by far when it comes to the campaign warchest, thanks in part to buddies like Gelber and Levine, who gave $500 and $1,000, respectively, and a bunch of lobbyist friends. In his first month raising funds, Ulvert reported $21,440 in contributions in February — that’s almost twice as much as the next candidate, which is Wagar — the former chief of staff to former Miami-Dade Commissioner Jimmy Morales — with $11,500.
Ulvert also has a political action committee called Engaged Florida that has about $35,000 on hand, $25K of which was raised last month.
Political operative Christian Ulvert runs for council in Miami Shores added by Ladra on
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