If you think judicial races are sleepy affairs decided by bar polls and last names nobody recognizes, think again.
Because the race that has suddenly appeared against Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mavel Ruiz is starting to look less like routine ballot housekeeping and more like political payback wrapped in judicial robes.
And yes — the shadow hanging over this contest has a very familiar name: Donald Trump., the star in the case that put Ruiz in the crosshairs in an election where dozens of incumbent judges are still unopposed a couple weeks before qualifying ends.
Judge Ruiz didn’t become a lightning rod by accident. She became one after presiding over the legal fight surrounding the 
proposed Trump presidential library and hotel — the one tied to that highly controversial land giveaway from Miami Dade College, a property worth hundreds of millions on Biscayne Boulevard near the historic Freedom Tower. A property that was supposed to be used for the college’s growth.
Remember the drama? Prime public land. Minimal public notice. A deal critics called a giveaway.
When historian and university professor Marvin Dunn challenged the land transfer, Ruiz did something that made headlines — and likely made enemies. She hit pause.
Her temporary injunction blocked the land deal and forced Miami Dade College to redo its vote with proper public notice after allegations the original decision violated Florida’s Sunshine Law.
That ruling stopped momentum cold. It forced transparency. It triggered hours of public testimony. It embarrassed powerful people who preferred the deal move quietly and quickly.
Eventually, after the college repeated the vote with proper notice, Ruiz dismissed the lawsuit — ruling the legal defect had been fixed.
Read related: Donald Trump Library back on track after judge lifts MDC injunction
But by then, the damage — political damage — had been done. Because once you slow down a project tied to Trump, you don’t just make headlines. You make lists.
Still, one might have thought that the angry MAGA establishment would have found someone better than a challenger whose 
biography reads less like seasoned jurist and more like fast-track résumé.
Meet Destiny Alvarez — formerly Destiny Goede, and briefly Destiny Goede Alvarez, depending on which month you were paying attention.
She’s young. Connected. Just over five years out of law school — the bare minimum required to wear a robe.
Her résumé includes:
- A stint inside the Florida Department of Transportation under the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration
- Work at the powerhouse firm GrayRobinson
- Current ties to a firm carrying the family name
- Membership in the Federalist Society
- The 2022 Jeb Bush Outstanding Achievement Award recipient
That last honor was given to her by DeSantis for her “Funding Florida’s Future” proposal, which she drafted when she was a member of the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Class XV. She proposed a framework for using private investment and electric vehicle infrastructure to combat the projected decline of Florida’s Gas Tax through 2027 and ensure the State Transportation Trust Fund had the means to continue building on Florida’s transportation infrastructure.
None of that is inherently bad. It just sounds more like a track to state rep instead of the bench.
But the timing of her name changes? That’s where eyebrows start lifting. Because for nearly two years after marrying Nicholas Alvarez in 2023, and as first reported on the longstanding and credible justice building insider blog, she remained professionally 
known as Destiny Goede.
Mortgage documents? Goede. Legal filings? Goede. Professional listings? Goede.
Then came January 2026 — right when judicial openings appeared. And, suddenly, voila. Or more like, alabao. Goede became Goede Alvarez. Then, within weeks, Goede Alvarez became just Alvarez.
And a ballot-ready surname materialized just in time for a judicial run.
Three names. Weeks apart. Perfectly timed.
Ladra doesn’t believe in coincidence. So this looks more like strategic branding. Maybe she should have changed her first name, which sounds more like a musical artist’s name or maybe a stripper.
But in Miami politics, last names are like currency and rarely accidental — especially when Hispanic surnames carry weight with voters scanning a long judicial ballot. All the political observers say that a candidate whose name ends in a vowel or a Z has an automatic advantage in a countywide race. So, Alvarez vs Ruiz stands a much better chance than Goede vs Ruiz. Everyone knows that.
Even Ruiz, who was one of 40 incumbents facing no challenge a month ago. She’s going to have to sharpen her message now.
But this isn’t Ruiz’s first rodeo, and she’s already got almost $70,000 — collected in 138 contributions and only $100 out of her pocket — according to her last campaign finance report. And she will likely start collecting more now that she’s got an opponent. Like she did when she raised almost $200K in her last race.
Ruiz first won her seat in 2014, unseating incumbent Fleur Lobree with 54% of the vote — no small feat in a judicial race. In 2020, she turned back another challenger, winning again with 55%. She raised nearly $200K and loaned herself another $78,000.
But this race different. Because now the backdrop includes one of the most politically explosive land fights Miami has seen in 
years. And whether anyone says it out loud or not, the Trump library case looms large over this contest.
So the question that is just hanging over this race: Is this just another routine judicial challenge? Or is this what political memory looks like?
Because judges don’t usually draw serious challengers out of nowhere — especially ones with deep institutional connections and fast-moving résumés, but little actual experience.
And when a judge slows down a politically sensitive project tied to powerful interests, it’s not unreasonable to wonder whether the next election becomes the venue for settling scores.
Not legally. Politically.
Read related: April Fool’s joke? Nope. Renier Diaz de la Portilla runs for judge — again
Also, as Political Cortadito has reported every election cycle, judicial races rarely get headlines. They’re quiet. Technical. Low turnout.
But occasionally, one becomes something else — a referendum not just on qualifications, but on independence.
Judge Ruiz forced transparency in a deal that many believed was moving too quickly. She followed the law. She required process. She ultimately ruled the case moot after corrections were made.
But in politics, even temporary delays can carry permanent consequences. And now, voters will decide whether experience — or branding — wins the day.
Stay tuned. Because this race has all the ingredients of a Political Cortadito follow-up: A judge tied to a politically radioactive case. A challenger with fresh credentials and evolving surnames. A high-profile land deal hovering in the background. And a political ecosystem that never forgets who slowed what down.
In Miami, justice may be blind.
But politics? Politics keeps receipts.
This kind of independent, government watchdog reporting is crucial to transparency and democracy. And more so every day. Help shine a light on the darker corners of our community with a contribution to Political Cortadito. Click here. Ladra thanks you for your support.
Trump library and the ‘name game’ will feature in Miami-Dade judicial race added by Ladra on
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There is no attack website about Destiny Goede Alvarez because Mavel Ruiz has integrity as well as the backbone to stand up to anyone who would try to compromise that integrity on her behalf or for her benefit.
It seems that this challenger, just 6 years out of law school, either doesn’t have that integrity, or hasn’t developed the strength to convince her supporters to focus on her merits, rather than run an attack campaign on a jurist who had the audacity to pause for a moment before ruling in favor of a politically powerful interest. What a sad way to run for judge and allow herself to be used so early in a career.
I have known Mavel Ruiz for over 25 years. In that time, I have witnessed her as a trial attorney, a mother, a citizen, and a judge. She is one of the most humble, hard-working, unassuming, caring people I have ever met. She feels no entitlement to anything, and that shows in her work ethic and her work product.
I have watched her spend years of her life honing her craft, taking the time and effort to learn about the litigants before her, master the legal issues over which she has presided, and honor the law that she loves by following it, regardless of her own personal feelings or opinion. She is the kind of judge we need- not bending to the will of the powerful and influential, but giving each person fair, unbiased treatment in court.
This challenger’s supporters have created the impression that she is beholden to wealthy, powerful, vengeful interests. This does not inspire voter confidence.
Mavel Ruiz has my vote.
[…] Read related: Trump library and the ‘name game’ will feature in Miami-Dade judicial race […]
[…] Read related: Trump library and the ‘name game’ will feature in Miami-Dade judicial race […]
What politician wouldn’t pick a Hispanic last name starting with A if they could? Better still, a hyphenated bi-cultural, bi-ethnic last name that starts with Ca? The top-of-the ballot name placement is an automatic 5% or more in these down ballot, low-information, low-turnout contests
And yes, we handed Trump a couple of hundred million-dollar gifts, but what about the millions we give every year to Steven Ross, David Beckham, the Mas brothers, Mickey Arison, the Miami Tennis Open, and every Bowl game, World Cup that ever comes through town looking for their handout?
And let’s not get started on the corporate handouts while taking away the movie and TV incentives that put Miami on the map.
Ladra, don’t fret over this criticism about your attack on the name Destiny. As a tax paying citizen of this city who already doesn’t trust the Miami-Dade County judicial bench, I wholeheartedly share your concern over someone named Destiny at the helm of important civil litigation.
Destiny is young, yes, and of course playing the name game that EVERY candidate does (including Ruiz!) because that’s how Miami constituents vote. At this point, like whining about the phantom “socialism” and “communism” that always seems to be on the brink of destroying our delicate, vulnerable little city, it’s just part of the political culture.
The fact is that Ruiz did NOT follow the law in the Trump case and is, in fact, not a particularly good judge. And it is good that she’s been challenged. On qualifications, Ruiz was a public defender for the overwhelming majority of her career. And she’s not exactly dealing with criminal cases. So let’s dispense with the notion that, somehow, decades in criminal practice (defense or prosecution) automatically make one fit to be a judge.
Destiny practiced civil litigation at a high level fpr years, opened her firm’s Miami office, and attended Florida’s top law school. She can absolutely serve.
To be fair, the MAGA tentacles are all over the place (including a kickoff event sponsored by the famously Trump-linked firm Continental, no doubt because they were embarrassed by the Ruiz ruling). But that crappy movement will die with the man and his geriatric supporters.
Destiny is an old-school Florida Republican: Naples origin, UF, Blue Key, etc. She’s seizing the moment. That’s electoral politics, baby. If you don’t like it, then change judicial elections. Or at least increase the minimum number of years required in practice before running.
Destiny Goede Alvarez, Destiny Goede, whatever, she has my vote.
And Ladra, the first name insult, was disrespectful and unnecessary. I like that you’re blunt and call a spade a spade, or an ego an ego, but that was just cruel.
Mavel is a good judge and should be re-elected. You cannot really question her work or work ethic. Westlaw shows a paltry 13% reversal rate. She does a good job, and does justice to the robe she wears.
Meanwhile, Destiny has (1) no experience, (2) likely never appeared in-person at a deposition, mediation or hearing (because Covid made litigation practice Zoom-heavy) and (3) likely never tried a case (trial judge without trial experience = bad idea). Don’t cry for her, though. If she loses, Trump can name her to Lindsey Halligan’s old gig in N.J., or in D.C. when Jeanine Pirro’s pickled liver gives out.
Ladra, don’t be snarky about Destiny’s first name. That demeans her and her parents, and is an even worse look for you. You undermine your message.
Finally, the name change argument doesn’t work here. When she first ran for judge, Mavel pulled a last-minute switcheroo out of a race she had been in for months to challenge incumbent Fleur Lobree. “Lobree” is not an Hispanic name, but “Ruiz” is, and Mavel played the name game. Destiny is trying to level her playing field because she has nothing to run on (see above). She’s wrong for doing that, but Mavel can’t whine because she basically did the same thing. Ironically, Fleur got named to the Third DCA and rules on appeals of Mavel’s decisions. Now she also gets to see Mavel twist in the wind a bit. Karma’s a bitch.
Every MAGA accusation is an admission. Its a cult. TDS = MAGA Cult thought
It is irrelevant whatever the amount is. What it is important here is that this was MDCC property to benefit MDCC and its student long term when we will not be around.
Small town politics by individuals with very short sight but long ambitions.
If you look up the mailing address, not only is it the Trump golf course address, but the SunBiz it is the Principle and Mailing address of, literally, “The Trump Organization LLC (a foreign LLC) under: 92-0511768. CEO, Eric Trump and VP, Don Trump Jr.
Ladra..
His name is already there as Owner!
Look Up on Property Appraiser: 227 NE 5th St.
It lists as Owner:
The Donald J Trump Pres
Library Foundation Inc
Mailing address:
115 Eagle Tree Terrace
Jupiter, FL 33477
WTF>?!
Gerardo,
A simple Miami-Dade Property Appraiser search would have saved you from embarrassment.
Please do diligent research before being vocal. That is all we ask.
Signed, one of the more intelligent born Floridians
$260 Million? Land Downtown on top of Biscayne Bay goes for $100 Million per acre. This site, formerly owned by the public Miami-Dade College, was 2.6 acres. If Trump wanted to sell the site he would be asking $500 Million. Students got robbed. By DeSantis and by Trump.
First, 5-years. No where near enough time to be a judge. Insane and wholly unqualified. And of course the name games.
And to Gerardo Lopez, you don’t know much about real estate do you? That land is EASILY worth $250,000,000+ many thing it could go for well over $300,000,000. Go look at what lots sell for in Downtown and Brickell.
Whether it’s $50 million, $67 million, or $100 million, the fact is that it was given away for ZERO, when it should have been used for the benefit of our community, especially Miami-Dade College, and not a self-proclaimed billionaire who intends to build a huge hotel. Nothing shore of offensive and everyone involved in this give away should be ashamed.
Elaine,
your TDS has finally cut your intelligence. an empty surface parking lot next to Freedom Tower is worth HUNDREDS of MILLIONS? Hundreds? Wow. I have a bridge in Hialeah I’d like you to buy. the lot is not worth Zero, but as it sits, HUNDREDS of MiLLIONS? do you ever wonder why your profession has about the same approval rating as Congress? which is to say, lower than Pres. DJT!! or why public support for journalism has dropped about as fast as the Orion capsule into the Pacific Ocean? using phrases like that so casually makes you an extremist, not a journalist.
Dear Mr. López, I’m afraid it is you who has TDS because you can’t see the truth when it’s right in front of you.
A simple google search would have showed you that the 2.63-acre downtown Miami waterfront plot transferred by Miami-Dade College (MDC) for the Trump presidential library (and hotel) is appraised at approximately $67 million. However, local real estate experts and developers estimate the actual market value could range from $100 million to over $300 million due to its prime location, high-density zoning for up to 80 stories, and unobstructed bay views.
Math is math. Facts matter. To actually argue that the property is not worth hundreds of millions is real TDS.
Get help.
Love, Ladra