For the first time in Miami city commission history, a woman is controlling the gavel. It’s about time | Editorial
This is a moment of pride for the city of Miami.
At Thursday’s meeting, newly elected Miami City Commissioner Christine King, who represents the predominantly Black District 5, began her tenure as the first chairwoman of the City Commission, which means she is leading the commission meetings in the county’s most prominent and best-known municipality. Congrats.
Born in Guyana and raised in Liberty City, King is an attorney and the first woman to serve on the commission in 10 years.
Yes, it’s hard to believe the city has been such a boys club for so long, but we hope King’s glass-ceiling-breaking appointment is only the beginning. After all, Miami was incorporated in 1896.
A similar first occurred just last year when Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was elected Miami-Dade’s first female mayor. Hard to believe, too.
During her tenure as gavel-keeper, King will lead the commission as it discusses public policy.
Oh, and she’ll have to try to control her fellow commissioners famously known for their bicker with each other and with speakers at public hearings. An arduous task indeed.
We welcome King to the dais and salute her dedication to helping her district, which includes Overtown, Wynwood, Liberty City, Little Haiti and the Upper Eastside. The Miami Herald Editorial Board did not recommend King in her election bid. Still, we were impressed with the spirited she led, defeating an incumbent, rising to the top in a crowded field and avoiding a runoff.
Commissioner Ken Russell had been acting chairman ever since the previous chairman, Keon Hardemon, resigned to become a county commissioner in November 2020. Hardemon, who served several years as commission chair, hails from an influential political family who supported King’s campaign.
We also congratulate Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who also re-elected, for the historic appointing of King as chairwoman. Suarez also named Commissioner Joe Carollo, also easily re-elected, as the vice-chairman., further cementing the idea that the two have buried the hatchet and are working together to benefit the city. We hope that’s so.
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This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 3:55 PM.