BIG MONEY ELECTIONS

Big money once again dictated the results of the Coral Gables elections, with Mayor Lago and his endorsed candidate, Lara, heavily bankrolled by construction development giants to the tune of multiple $100,000s. Their underfunded opponents, in contrast, barely reached the $10,000 mark. This victory entrenches the damaging reign of the Lago cohort, responsible for out-of-control development (witness the traffic near UM), increased density, the blatant undervaluation of city property (like the Doctors Hospital valet parking lot), the dangerous underfunding of retirement funds, high taxes, the Mayor’s suspect business dealings, the wasteful Little Gables annexation attempt, and our crumbling infrastructure. The message is clear: in Coral Gables, money talks loudest, and the community suffers.

Traditional Low Voter Turnout 26.89% in Coral Gables

Coral Gables General Biennial Election Election Date: 4/13/2021 (Website last updated at: 04/16/2021 11:50:46 am)

Registered Voters: 36,016

Ballots Cast: 10,406 Voter Turnout: 28.89%

Precincts Reporting: 24 / 24 Election Day: Completely Reported Early Votes: Completely Reported Vote By Mail: Completely

Reported Results are Official.

Summary Results – Election Night Reporting

Voter suppression runs rampant in the City of Coral Gables.

Humorously, the City of Coral Gables website claims that a turnout of 10,000 of36,000 register voters is great achievement.

Voting is Zealously Discouraged by the City of Coral Gables

Scheduling off-year elections in affect suppresses voter participation and the wider expression of views on important policy and development issues in Coral Gables.

The election issues today are, especially, the extent of overdevelopment, its density, increasing traffic, zoning code changes, annual budgeting and management, the implementation of public security, paying for unfunded pensions…

The overwhelming power of large campaign contributors on a narrow voter base and over residents affected by city policies, limits the valid, fair participation of candidates who advocate change.

Also, because of the election date there are really very few debate and information events for the candidates and the general public (with coronavirus limitations). Paying for TV ads, mail flyers and minimal resident visits are costly.

City commissioners have had multiple opportunities to move the city election date to November to coincide with state and federal elections. Therefore, commissioners themselves are responsible for suppressing the vote to their own favor and reelection and the strong monied interests.

The presence of a feisty opposition critical of commission decisions has been revealed in 2020 and 2021 by the mayor’s then frequent and highly criticized practice of cutting off and insulting residents who spoke against the commission.

This same mayor led a charter review committee a few years back that refused to move the election date.

Editorial board withdraws Coral Gables mayor recommendation | Miami Herald

We recommend Commissioner Pat Keon for mayor. Keon is a two-term commission member, first elected in 2013.

Editorial board withdraws Coral Gables mayor recommendation | Miami Herald