Frank Carollo headed to runoff against Rolando Escalona in Miami District 3 race
Former Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo is headed to a runoff against challenger Rolando Escalona after neither candidate secured more than 50% of the vote Tuesday night in the race for the open District 3 seat.
That puts Carollo, an establishment candidate, on the defensive against a political newcomer who threatens to end the Carollo family’s control of the District 3 seat. Frank Carollo held the seat from 2009 to 2017, at which point his older brother Joe Carollo took over. Joe Carollo served two back-to-back terms and is now termed out.
Carollo’s candidacy already faces a challenge. After Miami voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot referendum approving lifetime term limits for elected officials, three residents filed an emergency motion Tuesday night asking for an injunction “to ensure that no candidate that has been made ineligible to hold office by the passage of [the referendum] has their name printed on the ballot” for the Dec. 9 runoff. Carollo is the only candidate headed for a runoff who has already served two terms in the city.
Escalona also faced an 11th-hour threat to his candidacy when opponent Denise Galvez Turros sought to get him removed from the ballot over accusations that he didn’t meet the city’s residency requirements. A judge ruled in Escalona’s favor following a three-hour trial last week.
In a statement issued after the results dropped Tuesday, Escalona said he is “honored to advance to the runoff and grateful to the residents of District 3 who placed their trust in our vision for a safer, stronger Miami.”
“Our campaign is about getting results for Miami’s residents, like safer streets, more affordable housing, support for small businesses, and better public transportation,” Escalona said. “Voters across District 3 are calling for leadership that listens and delivers for the people and the choice on December 9th cannot be more clear. We are ready to close the chapter of political dynasties and insiders controlling the agenda.”
If Carollo wins in the runoff, a Carollo brother could occupy the District 3 seat for 20 consecutive years.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 7:59 PM.
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