As special election campaign begins in Miami’s coastal neighborhoods, four file early
The special election to fill the Miami City Commission’s vacant District 2 seat has drawn four candidates after the first day of qualifying.
On Sunday, commissioners called a special election for Feb. 27 for voters in neighborhoods stretching from Coconut Grove north through Morningside to select their next representative on the five-member City Commission. The seat was recently vacated by Ken Russell, who resigned Dec. 29. By the end of the day Monday, four people had submitted paperwork to run. Interested candidates have until 6 p.m. Friday to enter the race.
READ MORE: Voters in Miami’s District 2 will choose their next commissioner in special election
Among them is Sabina Covo, a former Spanish-language television journalist who most recently worked as the director of Hispanic media relations for former state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. Covo is a Colombian American and mother of three who has lived in Miami for more than two decades.
“Miami deserves a representative who will work to enhance our community,” said Covo, in a statement. “I have lived in Brickell, Edgewater, Coconut Grove, and Downtown. I have reported on City Hall issues for over 15 years and I can see why it’s time for a trusted voice to represent the residents of District 2. I’ve seen and personally experienced the issues facing our community: public safety, access to resources and a lack of affordable housing.”
Three other candidates who filed to run on the first day of qualifying:
▪ James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, leads a neighborhood group that represents condo towers with about 30,000 residents in downtown Miami.
▪ Max Martinez, a former mayoral candidate and sports podcast producer. Martinez ran against Miami Mayor Francis Suarez in 2021. Martinez is the founder and creative director of Maxfuture, a marketing agency.
▪ Alicia Kossick, proprietor of Polished Coconut in the Grove. The shop sells handmade goods ranging from blankets, hats, jewelry, clothing and home decor.
This story was originally published January 10, 2023 at 1:22 PM.
