In the final three months before his re-election last week, Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago raised more than $389,000 for his political action committee, Coral Gables First, spending almost $330,000 on direct mail, email, text messaging, digital ads, political consulting, canvassing, polls and fundraising.
These contributions did not become public until two days after the election, in the first quarter 2025 campaign finance report that was filed Thursday. And they only include contributions and expenses made through March 31, leaving more than a week out before the April 8 election.
Read related: Vince Lago, Rhonda Anderson handily coast to re-election in Coral Gables
They include some interesting financial commitments from some interesting sources:
- $50,000 from real estate developer Stuart Miller, executive chairman and co-chief executive officer of Lennar Corporation.
- $25,000 from real estate developer Dagrosa Capital Partners, where Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is senior partner.
- $20,000 in 20 separate $1,000 checks from real estate investor Tomas Cabrerizo.
- $15,000 from investor Rafael Villoldo, who launched a scent with Donald Trump in 2012 when the former was vice president of Perfumania.
- $12,000 from attorney Gonzalo Dorta, who is representing Lago in his lawsuit against Actuali
dad Radio. - $10,000 from The Calta Group, which is building Via Veneto, a luxury development of 10 three-story townhouses on Palermo Avenue with pre-construction prices starting $5.7 million.
- $10,000 from Boston Capital, an asset management company that owns a mini storage facility in Kendall.
- $10,000 from Republican super donor Max Alvarez of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors.
- $7,500 from Andres Rodriguez, owner of The Salty Donut.
- $5,000 from real estate investor Pablo Cejas.
- $5,000 from the PAC that belongs to former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, the same PAC that got more than $200,000 in contributions that were flagged as bribes from the owners of a private school the commissioner wanted to gift a public park to. He was arrested on bribery and money laundering charges in 2023 that were later dropped.
Maybe that last one was a you scratch my back situation, since Lago gave ADLP’s PAC $5,000 in 2023, just six weeks before the latter was arrested.
Some of Lago’s expenses are interesting also, like the $22,575 (plus $8,500 last year) that went to Emiliano Antuñez, who also worked on the campaign for Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, mostly for door-knocking. That’s nothing compared to the more than $110,000 paid to head campaign consultant Jesse Manzano just since January.
Other expenses include $45,000 worth of TV and cable advertising, more than $35,000 in direct mail, more than 33,200 in phone banks, more than $15,000 in photo and video production, and $27,740 on his digital footprint and social media, not including $16,250 in media consulting paid to Daniel Bustamante. And that is just in the past few weeks.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago rakes in campaign funds, much from developers
When added together, the $478,475 raised in Lago’s campaign account and the $389,000 raised for his PAC just this year, the 
total is $867,475. Doing more math shows that if you divide that by the 5,577 people who voted for Vinnie the Liar, the mayor basically paid $155.55 for each vote. And that’s not counting the PAC money from 2024. It’s probably more around $200.
In comparison, Commissioner Kirk Menendez, who lost with 38% of the vote, raised $32,500 for his PAC, The Coral Gables Way. A third of that was from different firefighters unions and another third was from real estate interests. Added to the $41,000 raised in his campaign account — which is almost as much as Lago spent just on text messages since January — that’s total of $73,500 through March 31. Divided by the 3,792 people who voted for him, that’s $19.38 per vote.
Both those figures will very likely go up once we get the campaign finance reports for the first eight days in April. But one thing that won’t change is the lopsided funding in this race and the special interests investments.
Re-elected Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago’s PAC got $389K in three months added by Ladra on
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Elections have consequences just like false accusations!!
It cuts both ways!
Have we forgotten the allegations of Lago and his assistant? They still need to be investigated. If they are true, it is misuse of public funds.
In Coral Gables, the mere mention of the word development often sparks concern, as if the term alone signals an irreversible loss of charm, history, or community. Development, when done responsibly and in alignment with the city’s character, is not a threat — it is an opportunity.
Coral Gables has long prided itself on its Mediterranean architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and tree-lined streets. This distinctive identity didn’t happen by accident — it was created through thoughtful development. George Merrick’s original vision for “The City Beautiful” was itself a bold development project. The city we cherish today is the result of careful planning, ambitious design, and a willingness to embrace growth while respecting aesthetics and values.
Modern development projects can — and should — follow this same legacy. They can restore historic buildings, revitalize underutilized spaces, and provide housing solutions for a growing and diverse population, including our teachers, first responders, seniors, and young professionals who want to stay in the city they love. Development can bring new parks, walkable public spaces, and energy-efficient buildings that support both economic growth and environmental responsibility.
The distinction lies in how we develop. Overdevelopment is the real issue — it is growth that disregards infrastructure limits, strains traffic systems, disrespects zoning codes, or compromises the natural beauty and livability of our neighborhoods. No one wants to see Coral Gables lose its soul to a high-rise canyon or parking lot sprawl. But painting all development with the same brush ignores the benefits of smart, community-focused progress.
Let’s also not forget the fiscal side: responsible development helps broaden the city’s tax base without overburdening existing residents. It can fund infrastructure improvements, beautification projects, stormwater systems, and essential public services — without cutting into community services or raising taxes unfairly.
In short, development — like change — is inevitable. But it doesn’t have to mean decline. If guided by principle, public input, and long-term vision, development can honor our past, meet the needs of the present, and shape a more resilient, vibrant future for Coral Gables. The goal is not to stop development — it’s to get it right.
All the losers who backed Menendez are now crying, including LADRA!!
Talk about money, how much have the extra raises, car allowances, etc. cost the City thus far and in the future if Wells is elected and replaces Kirk as the third Musketeer!
Lara is a reputable attorney beginning to serve as an elected official – vote for him!
I wonder…. what’s more true:
Money wins elections, or
People get the Government they deserve?
Kamala outraised and outspent Trump, couldn’t win
in CG, 30% turnout decides an election. my biggest fear: Lago, with his arrogance and war chest, will want ro govern like he has a mandate or universal approval. but a 55% win on 30% turnout is hardly a majority of citizens or a mandate. but 30% turnout is on us (the voters) not Lago, not Anderson not Menendez. if 2/3rds of us don’t care, then we deserve what we get.
After seeing the salary increases self approved by Ariel and his buddies, we, the residents donated to Mayor Lago to stop turning Coral Gables into a kleptocratic city.
Money well spent. And much lower than the money spent by the city paying in increased compensation to Aril and his buddies.
For a city the size of Coral Gables, the amount of money amassed by Lago’s “donors” is obscene.
No one should be surprised. He sold out to developers and they want to keep him right where he can facilitate their moneymaking…what’s in it for him???
Those who voted for him should be ashamed to show their faces.
With Richard Lara’s war chest from the same donors, there’s now over a million dollars buying control of the commission. What kind of alliances does this create for Lago, Lara and Anderson?
Coral gables residents don’t be bought by shiny empty promises. Vote for the only independent candidate in the
run-off. VOTE FOR TOM WELLS!
Legal bribery.