Josh Dieguez solidly wins Miami Lakes mayoral runoff race with 12-point lead

• Tweet
• Sumo

• Tweet

With more than 56% of the vote, Miami Lakes Commissoner Josh Dieguez changed his title to mayor last week, beating Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez in a runoff where almost 19% of the registered voters turned out. He will replace Mayor Manny Cid, who was termed out and lost a bid to unseat Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava without the need for a runoff.

In the Nov. 5 election, neither won the majority and some observers say it was because a plantidate Yuniett Gonzalez, a political newbie who had previously given to the Dieguez campaign, got 11%, just enough to force the runoff. As usual, political shenanigans paid off.

Read related: Miami Lakes plantidate forces mayoral runoff: Josh Dieguez vs Tony Fernandez

Dieguez, 35, also just ran a better campaign. An attorney, he is a former member of the rock blasting task force and his messages on public safety, fiscal transparency, traffic mitigation, flooding and infrastructure support, and protecting green spaces were more focused. He was endorsed by former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas.

Fernandez, a business owner, had a simpler message of “people over politics” and keeping the village status quo, which just fell flat. He was backed by Cid.

“I did my best,” Fernandez told the Miami Laker. “It wasn’t in the cards, but you know, on to bigger and better challenges.”

Bigger and better challenges? Good luck with that. Maybe the voters were right.

“It feels great to be the mayor of the town I grew up in,” Dieguez was quoted as saying. “It’s a real honor and a dream come true. I’m looking forward to use that time to focus on the things that make Miami Lakes special and will focus on infrastructure and constituent services.”

The race was pretty even when it comes to campaign funding. According to campaign finance reports, Dieguez raised $85,000 to Fernandez’s $81,000 and spent $74,500 to his $66,000 during the campaign.

There will be a swearing-in ceremony next week on Dec. 10 after which the council will elect the vice mayor at a special meeting.

Then Dieguez, who was in the middle of his second term as commissioner, will nominate his replacement for the council seat he vacated to serve the remaining two years on the term. The council has to vote on that candidate.

But Dieguez has the current majority on the dais, as well.