Herald endorsement: Miami Beach Commission Group I | Opinion
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Editorial Board November 2025 election recommendations
Ahead of the upcoming local elections, the Editorial Board sits down with political candidates to gain insight into their positions on key issues and the potential impact of their policies on the community. Our aim is to help voters make informed decisions about who is best suited for each race. See our November 2025 endorsements below:
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The race for Miami Beach Commission Group I is an open seat so, naturally, there is a crowded field to replace Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who’s running for mayor.
There are six candidates on the nonpartisan Nov. 4 ballot. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, a runoff will take place in December. The candidates are qualified and have good ideas to address the Beach’s most pressing issues.
It was a tough choice, but the Herald Editorial Board’s pick is Monica Matteo-Salinas, who currently works for the city of Miami Beach.
Matteo-Salinas, 46, has a degree in public policy and has worked in the nonprofit and government sectors, including at the Miami-Dade College Institute for Civic Engagement. She was a legislative aide to Rosen Gonzalez and to Commissioner Alex Fernandez and now works in the city’s fleet department, a position she said she will resign if elected.
“I’ve always been fascinated by government. How does it work? You know, when you pay your taxes, where do the dollars go? Where do the cents go? And who gets to decide that?” Matteo-Salinas told the Board.
She stood out during candidate interviews with the Editorial Board because of her well-rounded knowledge of city issues and thought-out, creative proposals. She said her main priorities will be affordability, transportation, addressing overdevelopment and helping small businesses.
She said the city should consider using state and federal dollars to buy foreclosed apartments or buildings that are “relatively inexpensive comparative to the market” to create workforce and senior housing. She said the city should also purchase individual units for people with federal housing vouchers and who face discrimination from landlords.
Matteo-Salinas wants to expand Miami Beach’s trolley fleet and improve their cleanliness and safety to address common complaints from riders — “I really want to revamp the trolleys... and pay for that through advertising dollars,” she said.
On overdevelopment, she said the city shouldn’t make too many density and height concessions to developers without the “appropriate public benefits.”
Matteo-Salinas also wants to revive a small business academy to help entrepreneurs navigate city regulations, and said that, although the city did an “excellent job” curbing rowdy spring breakers with unprecedented restrictions, she would “relax” the traffic barricades that were erected on Washington Avenue. She wants to create a “water czar” position, funded through resort tax revenue, to address Miami Beach’s water quality issues.
Her experience in city government and navigating the legislative process as a former aide is a plus.
The other candidates in Group 1 are:
Daniel Ciraldo, 42, former executive director of the Miami Design Preservation League, who said he’s running because the city faces a “zoning crisis” caused by state laws that have let “developers decide the zoning in our city” by preempting local decisions.
Brian Ehrlich, 44, founder of a technology powered hospitality company, said he’s knocked on 7,900 doors. He’s on the board of the Bass Museum of Art, where he said he developed a 10-year strategic plan. He’s running to make Miami Beach a “city of the future” with better urban planning.
Raised in Miami Beach, Ava Frankel, 28, is a real estate agent with a background in systems engineering. She said the city makes it too hard for businesses to get permitted — “We just need to cut the nonsense and stop punishing businesses that want to come to our beautiful city.”
Omar Jimenez, 39, runs his family’s restaurant Bella Cuba on Washington Avenue and has an environmental consulting business. His main issues are “environmental justice” and infrastructure upgrades to address bacteria and pollution in waterways.
Monique Pardo Pope, 44, is a lawyer and vice president of the Women’s Cancer Association of the University of Miami. She wants to bring her experience fighting for her clients and her advocacy work to the commission.
Matthew Gultanoff, 40, announced last week he was suspending his campaign.
Voters have a lot of options, but one stood out.
The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses MONICA MATTEO-SALINAS for Miami Beach Commission Group I.
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 October 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM.
