Politics in Hialeah often plays out like a game of musical chairs.

With no designated voting districts in Miami-Dade’s second-largest city, political hopefuls are free to target whichever council position offers the clearest path to victory, whether to avoid clashes with established officeholders or stepping into a vacancy left by a well-timed resignation.

The latest reshuffling began when Mayor Esteban “Steve” Bovo abruptly stepped down to join a lobbying firm, setting off a cascade of changes. Council member Jacqueline Garcia-Roves was elevated to interim mayor, leaving her council seat open and sparking yet another appointment scramble—the third in less than a year.

The vacant City Council seat has opened the door to a familiar cast of characters: a former HR director still shadowed by an ethics investigation, a 21-year-old former council aide with establishment ties, and several returning applicants hoping this round will finally be shot at victory.

At least six candidates are vying to fill Garcia-Roves’ former seat until January 2026, when she is expected to return to the council —unless she chooses to run for mayor. Asked at her April 28 swearing-in if she planned to run, Garcia-Roves said she hasn’t made a decision: “Right now, I’m focused on the position. But I have until June to make up my mind.”

When a seat on Hialeah’s City Council becomes vacant, the city has 30 days to appoint an interim member. That deadline for the current vacancy left by Garcia-Roves falls on May 28. However, the qualification process for the interim appointment closed on May 8, and the appointment is scheduled to be considered during Tuesday’s regular council meeting.

If the council fails to select a candidate, the city will have two additional weeks to reopen the qualification process and choose someone else. If that process also fails, the seat would then need to go on the ballot. But holding a special election for an interim seat meant to last only eight months raises questions about cost and practicality.

In 2022, Hialeah’s special election to fill the vacancy left by Councilman Oscar De La Rosa, Bovo’s stepson, cost the city more than $44,000.

A front runner with ethics baggage

The candidates to fill Garcia-Roves’s seat range in age from 21 to 42, all with strong ties to the city through civic involvement, long-time residency, or public employment. However, one name stands out for a different reason: Gelien Perez, a former city employee who was the subject of an ethics investigation while holding her government position.

A former city human resources director, Perez, 35, has a long public service record — and an ethics investigation behind her. This marks her second attempt to claim a temporary council seat since she resigned from her HR post in January 2022, two months after Bovo became mayor. Her previous bid came last year, in July, when she sought to replace suspended Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco, who is currently on trial for healthcare fraud.

READ MORE: Seven apply for empty Hialeah council seat. One faced ethics probe as a city employee

Perez’s resume spans over a decade at City Hall, including roles as administrative aide, program specialist, HR coordinator, and ultimately HR director. Most of her career coincided with former Mayor Carlos Hernandez’s tenure. But her time in public service became entangled with a private business.

Between 2018-20, the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust investigated allegations that Perez used her city position to benefit her work as a real estate agent with RD Realty Group Inc. The inquiry found evidence of overlapping interests: City employees who were also Perez’s real estate clients received substantial raises while she supervised them.

Among the most striking findings: one subordinate received three raises totaling 16% the same year he purchased a home through Perez, who acted as his real estate agent. Another employee’s salary jumped nearly 20% during a real estate transaction with her. Despite the troubling overlap, the city took no disciplinary action. Today, Perez remains active in local government as a Bovo appointee her in May 2023 to the city personnel board.

Perez’s real estate license, issued in 2017, remains active through September 2026. Originally from Cuba, Perez holds a master’s degree in legal studies and another in human resources management. When contacted by the Herald last year, she declined to comment, replying that her information is a matter of public record. This time, she didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Despite the ethical concerns surrounding her, City Hall insiders are signaling that Gelien Perez is the front runner for the interim council seat, set to be appointed on Tuesday. Her chances appear stronger after efforts to appoint another politically connected candidate fell short.

Young contender with strong connections

Her strongest competition may be William Marrero, 21, a former aide to Councilman Luis Rodriguez. Though he has the backing of his former boss and a resume that includes over three years at City Hall, his age has become a quiet sticking point among council members.

Marrero is pursuing a public administration degree at FIU after earning an Associate in Arts degree in Public Policy and Services.

Some city insiders have also flagged Marrero’s relationship with Lorena Romero, 24, the new mayor’s chief of staff, as a potential conflict of interest. The personal connection has raised concerns about overlapping influence within City Hall. When asked by the Herald about the relationship, Marrero declined to comment on his personal life.

Still, Marrero’s political resume is more extensive than his age might suggest. “I know the government inside and out,” Marrero told the Herald. “I know how to help the residents, and I know where the city needs improvements.” His political involvement began early—at just 15, he started working alongside René Garcia when he was a state senator. Garcia is now Miami-Dade County commissioner and has filed to run for Hialeah mayor.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade Commissioner Garcia joins Hialeah mayor race as Bovo gets ready to step down

Other contenders, familiar faces

Of the remaining four candidates, three are no strangers to the process, having previously sought interim appointments.

▪ Juan Santana, 42, is a former three-time mayoral candidate and has twice filed for an interim council seat, in 2022 and 2024. He is an activist who often speaks during council meetings regarding developments, increases in water and trash fees, and other issues affecting residents.

Santana promises a more transparent government, housing for workers and lowering the trash collection fee and water bills. He has a high school diploma and studied political science in college but didn’t get a degree. He is the vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, a nonprofit organization assisting the needy in Hialeah.

▪ Kassandra Montandon, 30, applied for an interim council seat last year following the resignation of former Councilman Bryan Calvo, who is now running for mayor. That vacancy was ultimately filled by Juan Francisco Junco, an 86-year-old appointee widely viewed as a placeholder within City Hall.

Montandon currently runs several education initiatives, including a financial literacy program that helps low- to moderate-income Miami-Dade Public School and Miami Dade College students explore education and career opportunities.

Montandon has an associate’s degree in Psychology from Miami Dade College and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University. Montandon previously told the Herald that her background in clinical psychology, along with her experience as education director for the Center for Financial Training, a nonprofit in partnership with Miami Dade College, would help her serve effectively as an interim council member and advocate for Hialeah’s residents.

In addition to applying for the interim seat, Montandon is running against Perez for Seat 4. Interim Council Member Melinda De La Vega, who currently holds that seat, has opted to run for Seat 6 instead—a position currently held by Junco, who is not expected to seek election. De La Vega took over Seat 4 after the state suspended Pacheco.

▪ Javier Morejon, 34, is making his second attempt to become an interim council member. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and works as a business developer, land-use specialist, and city surveyor in Miami Gardens. Morejon also serves on the Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation Board and previously sat on Hialeah’s Beautification Committee Board until November 2024. When the Herald asked why he applied during his first bid, he said he didn’t have comment. This time, he didn’t respond at all.

▪ Luis Antonio Morales, 34, a mortgage broker and president of Major League Mortgage, stands out as the only candidate without prior government experience or a previous bid for public office. On his LinkedIn profile he describes himself as self-motivated, entrepreneurial, visionary and innovative. His professional background centers on mortgages and banking. He holds an associate’s degree in marketing from Miami Dade College. The Herald attempted to contact him but received no response.

The council’s structure, with no electoral districts and only at-large seats, allows incumbents and aspirants alike to maneuver strategically. The result is a revolving door of interim appointments and recycled candidates, with few checks on their qualifications.

With Garcia-Roves still undecided on a mayoral bid and a special election set for November 2025, the latest appointment may be temporary—but its political ripple effects are not. Four council seats and the mayor’s seat will be on the November ballot.

If Garcia-Roves enters the mayoral race, at least five council seats would be up for grabs. If she doesn’t, other potential contenders, like Councilmembers Monica Perez—who says she’s considering a run—and Jesus Tundidor, may jump into the race.

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