Herald endorses: Our pick in Miami-Dade Commission District 3 | Opinion
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Miami Herald Editorial Board’s 2024 Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 20, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race.
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Voters living in Miami-Dade County Commission District 3 must decide in Tuesday’s primary whether to keep incumbent Keon Hardemon or bring back Audrey Edmonson, who represented the district before Hardemon.
District 3 stretches from downtown Miami, north into Miami Shores, and includes the predominantly Black neighborhoods of Brownsville, Liberty City and Overtown.
The district always needs a champion, and Hardemon and Edmonson, as well as a third challenger, Marion Brown, a construction company owner and newcomer to politics leading a grassroots campaign, say they are up for the job.
As the two best-known candidates, Hardemon and Edmonson are each trying to make a case that they have done a better job for their constituents during their separate tenures and are needed to address poverty, gun violence, unemployment and little economic development.
“I’m back by popular demand because constituents have been calling me, asking me to run again. They say nothing has been done in the district in the last three-and-half years since I left,” Edmonson told the Herald Editorial Board.
Edmonson left her seat because she was term-limited in 2020.
Brown says he, too, has been recruited by residents to run.
“People are tired of calling the commissioner’s office and getting no response,” Brown told the Board.
Hardemon has inherited the issues surrounding the revitalized Liberty Square housing project built by developer Related Urban, which in 2019 began moving old residents back to the new complex in phases. A recent documentary showed residents complaining of shoddy conditions.
Hardemon dismisses his challengers’ accusations of his alleged unresponsive constituency service and poor job performance as simply “campaign noise.”
“If you want to see me in my community, all you have to do is drive down the street... I’m everywhere,” Hardemon said.
Yet he was also dismissive of Liberty Square residents’ complaints, blaming some of the issues on residents not knowing how to use certain home appliances.
Hardemon’s hallmark was his Peace & Prosperity plan to reduce gun violence, which he championed on the commission. The program, among other things, offers jobs to troubled teens at $15 an hour.
If reelected, Edmonson said she would bring back her program to meet with gang leaders to address safety. More town halls would take place, she said.
The Board asked the candidates what District 3 needs to be able to thrive and survive for the next 20 years. Brown said the gentrification of the district’s historic Black neighborhoods needs to stop.
Edmonson said she would zero in on tackling affordable housing, traffic congestion and flooding in Edgewater.
“This district needs a commissioner who is going to listen to them,” Edmonson said.
Hardemon said he wants to “build commercial infrastructure in the western part of the district,” which he said lacks shopping and other commercial options.
Edmonson was a solid, responsive commissioner, but she had her turn on the commission.
In this race, we give the edge to Hardemon for his street-level Peace & Prosperity program. Hardemon wants to finish what he started; we’re willing to let him.
If the residents of District 3 feel Hardemon needs to be more responsive, they should tell him with their vote on Election Day.
The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses KEON HARDEMON for Miami-Dade Commissioner in District 3.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.
This story was originally published August 15, 2024 at 6:02 PM.
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