The Miami Beach mayor’s runoff is not what most political observers expected to see. Former Commissioner Michael Góngora will face Commissioner Steven Meiner on the Nov. 21 ballot.
Many, including Ladra, expected the runoff to be between the two Mikes — Góngora and former commissioner and former State Rep. Mike Grieco, who really should have run for Senate against Ileana Garcia, who only got elected through the trickery of a fake plantidate. Yes, the MTV Exec got more votes than Grieco did but Bill Roedy spent millions on advertising.
Residents also got two new commissioners on the dais from last week’s election. In Group 4, Tanya Katzoff Bhaff got 56% of the vote against Andres Asion. In Group 5, David Suarez beat hotelier Mitch Novick 53 to 47%. And in Group 6, Joe Magazine beat Marcela Novella by a scant 67 votes.
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Magazine, another Christian Ulvert special, issued a statement on his victory: “I am humbled and honored by the support I received from Miami Beach voters who have elected me as our next City Commissioner. Together, we will fight to ensure Miami Beach works for families, treats everyone equally, and focuses on a resilient future. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity to serve the community I love and where I’m proudly raising my daughter.”
Now voters have less than a week to decide who they want for mayor. Meiner took the lead with 30% of the vote compared to Góngora’s 28%. But is 30 Meiner’s ceiling?
Particularly when you look at the way he votes on LGBTQ issues, which has become a point of contention in the community with arguably the most LGBTQ residents in Miami-Dade.
Góngora is poised to become the first gay mayor of Miami Beach. It’s weird that has happened yet, but here we are. Meiner, on the other hand, has voted against every single LGBTQ item that has come to the board. He’s very religious. It might be a morality thing.
And that is scary. The idea that Meiner could lead the city is downright frightening when you look at this record. Miami Beach needs someone who will represent and protect everyone — not just those people whose lives the candidate approves of.
Meiner has consistently opposed resolutions that condemn racial violence, homophobia, transphobia and those awful draconian state efforts to prohibit teaching LGBTQ history or displaying flags in public schools. He also voted against naming a city street after gay rights leader Harvey Milk and said that it was because Milk has no connection to the city. He also said those other “hot button” issues and “urging legislation” are not worth the time so he always votes no.
This is a weird time not to stand against hate, though.
Read related: Miami Beach commission races are head-to-head contests in all 3 open seats
“The mayor must be a part of all communities to represent all people,” Góngora, an attorney, said. “I am that mayor who stands with everyone. This is the moment to fight against discrimination of any type.”
Góngora specializes in condominium and planned development law and has served as city commissioner three times. He has been waiting to run for mayor forever and has been endorsed by the LGBTQ Victory Fund, Equality Florida, SAVE Action Pac, Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried as well as all the sitting commissioners that are not up for election: Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Laura Dominguez and Alex Fernandez.
Miami Beach voters get three new commissioners and a mayoral runoff added by Ladra on
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