Who will be Miami-Dade’s new mayor? This virtual candidates forum may help you decide
Come November, Miami-Dade will have a new mayor and the Miami Foundation wants residents to get to know the crowded field of candidates.
On Monday, May 18, the nonprofit will host a virtual candidates forum as part of its “Our Miami: The People’s Forums” series.
The event will be streamed live on the Miami Herald’s Facebook page.
Earlier this year, the Miami Foundation released a survey of 800 Miami-Dade residents that showed transit, housing and climate change topped the list of concerns. Residents wanted their new leader to have specific plans to improve the quality of life in the county.
Loren Parra, the director of public affairs for the Miami Foundation, said those issues have only been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. The participating candidates — which include four people who are either current or former public office holders — will field questions from moderator Nancy Ancrum, the Miami Herald’s editorial page editor.
The foundation is encouraging people to register for the 5 p.m. forum and ask questions that could then be used during the session.
“This election is about greater Miami and the people who live here,” she said.
The candidates who will be participating include Nicole Barley, Daniella Levine Cava, Ludmilla Domond, Alexander Penelas, Xavier Suarez and Robert Ingram Burke. Esteban “Steve” Bovo had not yet confirmed. The qualifying period for candidates begins May 26.
Voters will go to the polls in August for primaries for a new Miami-Dade County mayor and at least five new county commissioners.
Because of term-limit rules, current Mayor Carlos Gimenez will leave office after nine years of running the largest local government in Florida.
To register, visit MiamiFoundation.org/OurMiamiForums.
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 3:30 PM.
