Trump endorses council candidate in Doral, potentially affecting vote on his luxury project
.jpg "A key election in Doral council could affect the vote on the proposed Doral International Towers, a residential and commercial complex on the grounds of president elected Donald Trump’s Doral resort.")
It’s not the first time President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed a candidate in Miami-Dade County, but his endorsement of a local candidate for Doral City Council could have significant implications for the approval of his development project in the city.
On Saturday afternoon, Trump endorsed Nicole Reinoso, a candidate running for Seat 3 on the Doral City Council, backing her as part of Mayor Christie Fraga’s slate. While Fraga and Councilman Rafael Pinyero were reelected in November, Reinoso will face Juan Carlos Esquivel in a runoff election on Dec. 10.
The seat became vacant after Vice Mayor Oscar Puig-Corve stepped down.
“Nicole Reinoso has my complete and total endorsement for Doral City Council (Seat 3). Working with Doral’s wonderful Mayor, Christi Fraga, Nicole will help grow the economy, create GREAT jobs, and deliver the American Dream. Doral residents, vote for Nicole Reinoso - She will not let you down!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The political landscape in Doral is of significant interest to Trump, especially with a pending vote on his plans to build luxury condominiums in the city. Trump’s latest South Florida real estate project, Doral International Towers, calls for a 1,429-unit condominium complex, along with 141,000 square feet of retail space, on the southeastern corner of the Trump National Doral resort.
In a preliminary city council vote in August the proposal was approved 3-2, with Fraga and Councilman Rafael Pinyero, Fraga’s close ally, voting against it. The outcome of the upcoming election will ultimately determine the future of the project, which has been scheduled for a final vote in 2025.
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Fraga and Pineyro opposed the project due the impact that it may have in Northwest 87th Avenue in Doral,
During his reelection campaign, Pinyero told the Miami Herald that 87th Avenue has no further capacity for expansion.
“Doral’s original plans did not include high-density projects to the west of 87th Avenue,” Pinyero said. “That’s why Downtown Doral was developed to the east, and all high-density projects were focused on the eastern side of the city. The vision for the area west of 87th Avenue was never intended to be high-density. This resort is located west of 87th Avenue, so we need to be cautious as we look to the future.”
In a prior interview with the Miami Herald, Reinoso said that the council has a limited role when it comes to preventing over-development. “Our city is growing, and we have to do it responsibly, but there are limitations in what we can do about it,” she said.
Reinoso said Saturday that Trump’s endorsement would not affect her vote should she become a council member and the proposed development come back to the council.
“Absolutely not. I’m grateful for the president’s support, but it will not influence any part of my decision,” she said. “I won’t let any endorsement sway my choices. I’m running to represent Doral’s residents, and every vote I cast will be transparent.”
Seat 3 has been mired in controversy from the time all three candidates filed for the position. One of them, Irina Vilarino, faced a legal challenge to her candidacy, with efforts to have her removed from the ballot. Ultimately, a judge ruled in her favor, but Vilarino finished third in the Nov. 5 election. She has accused Mayor Fraga of persecuting her.
Fraga’s political committee, Leaders of Tomorrow, paid $10,000 in legal fees to the firm Cabrera Hoopingarner that represented Doral Chamber of Commerce CEO Emmanuel “Manny” Sarmiento in his complaint questioning Vilarino’s residency.
Regaining control of the council is a top priority for Fraga. This election is crucial to her efforts, as she lost control when Councilwoman Maureen Porras, who ran on a slate with Fraga and Pinyero in 2022, began voting against Fraga’s proposals and emerged as a leading opposition force.
Although Fraga was reelected in November, residents approved several amendments that will significantly reduce the mayor’s authority, shifting more power to the city council.
This story was originally published November 16, 2024 at 7:21 PM.
