The Cities of Miami and Miami Beach are electing new mayors Tuesday. as voters will also be making important decisions on everything from approving a $400 million project to address flooding and affordable housing issues to whether to stop alcohol sales on Ocean Drive three hours earlier.
In the City of Miami, the four-candidate race includes:
- Francis Suarez
- Williams Armbrister
- Christian Canache,
- Cynthia Mason Jaquith
District 4 Commissioner Suarez, son of former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, appears to be the front runner. Tomas Regalado has held the position for the past eight years.
Three candidates are running to replace Suarez in the District 4 commission seat:
- Manolo Reyes
- Ralph Rosado
- Denise Galvez Turros
The race to replace District 3 Commissioner Frank Carollo is a bit more crowded, with seven candidates.
- Joe Carollo (brother of Frank)
- Tomas Regalado (Mayor Regalado's son of the same name)
- Zoraida Barreiro (wife of Commissioner Bruno Barreiro)
- Alex Dominguez
- Alfonso Leon
- Miguel Soliman
- Jose Suarez
The biggest issue facing Miami voters will be whether to authorize the $400 million general obligation bonds, which would use a city property tax to pay for a number of projects including reducing the city's flooding risk and improving the storm water infrastructure.
On Miami Beach, four candidates are running to replace Mayor Philip Levine:
- Dan Gelber
- Kenneth Bereski
- Daniel Kahn
- June Savage
The Group 2 commission race will pit Mark Samuelian against the embattled Rafael Velasquez, who has been surrounded by controversy after he was accused of exposing himself to a Miami Beach commissioner. Michael Gongora and Adrian Gonzalez are the two candidates in the Group 3 commission race.
The major proposal on the ballot for Miami Beach residents will be whether to end drinking on a 10-block stretch of Ocean Drive at 2 a.m. instead of 5 a.m.
The measure wouldn't apply to establishments that are completely indoors and located in hotels.
In Hialeah, Mayor Carlos Hernandez is running for re-election against Tania Garcia and Juan Santana. Two Hialeah councilmember seats are also on the ballot.
Homestead voters will be choosing a vice mayor and two council members.