Miami Beach election: Meet the candidates for mayor and City Commission
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Control of Miami Beach is up for grabs.
- On Nov. 4, voters will elect the mayor and three city commissioners — representing a majority of the city's elected body.
The big picture: The mayoral race between Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez pits two former allies against each other. Public safety issues are dominating the campaign.
What they're saying: Meiner is touting his "law and order" record — cracking down on spring break chaos and homelessness, and increasing municipal misdemeanor prosecutions.
- "My commitment remains to make Miami Beach the best and safest city in America," he says in a campaign video, "where residents come first, always."
- Meiner has said he's prioritizing public safety and police visibility, while working to protect the city from flooding with infrastructure improvements.
Rosen Gonzalez is also taking credit for the city's efforts to tamp down spring break disorder and promising to maintain high police visibility.
- She's pitching voters on her preservation efforts and promises to speed up the permit process for businesses.
- "I have fought for you," she says in a campaign video, "voted for you, been your voice and represented you with pride."
- Rosen Gonzalez has said she wants to rebuild the city's tourism brand and create more affordable housing.
Friction point: While Meiner's campaign has touted mid-year police data showing that most major crimes have decreased in the city, Rosen Gonzalez says the city is less safe than it was a year ago.
- She wrote in a recent campaign email that "violent crime is up," despite police data showing that it's down overall since 2024, the Miami Herald reported.
- Rosen Gonzalez previously posted inaccurate violent crime statistics on Facebook before deleting the post, according to Florida Politics.
- She told the Herald it was a mistake and that she fixed it soon after.
Zoom in: Meiner and Rosen Gonzalez both supported a city homelessness law that allows police to arrest someone for sleeping in public if they refuse shelter placement.
- Both are pushing for a water taxi service connecting Miami and the Beach.
What's next: Early voting for the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20. The last day to request a mail ballot is Oct. 23.
City Commission candidates
Beach voters will also elect three city commissioners.
- Commission groups are at-large, meaning voters can participate in all of the races regardless of where they live.
- In Group I, six candidates are competing to take over Rosen Gonzalez's seat.
- Daniel Ciraldo: The former executive director of the Miami Design Preservation League.
- Real estate investor Brian Ehrlich: A former member of the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board.
- Realtor Ava Frankel.
- Omar Jimenez: Founder of the Park View Island Sustainable Association.
- Monica Matteo-Salinas: A City Hall office associate and former commission aide.
- Attorney Monique Pardo Pope.
In Group II, Commissioner Laura Dominguez faces one challenger: real estate investor Fred Karlton.
In Group III, Commissioner Alex Fernandez faces challenger Luidgi Mary, who previously served on the city's Black Affairs Advisory Committee.