Kicking Off the Election Season in Miami Beach — With Energy, Community & Vision

This past Sunday, we officially kicked off the 2025 local election season with our Election Kick-Off Party — and what an incredible evening it was!

Held in the beautiful backyard of the Marseilles Beachfront Hotel, the event brought together neighbors, activists, community leaders, and Democratic candidates for an evening filled with connection, inspiration, and purpose.

We were thrilled to hear directly from several of the candidates running for Mayor and City Commission. Daniel Ciraldo, Monica Matteo-Salinas, Laura Dominguez, and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez each spoke passionately about the most pressing challenges facing Miami Beach — and offered real, innovative solutions.

Among the top concerns voiced:

• Affordable Housing – Candidates addressed the urgent need to protect longtime residents from being priced out, while supporting smart development that keeps our community livable and inclusive.

• Climate Change & Flooding – There was broad agreement that Miami Beach needs bold, science-based resilience planning, along with stronger infrastructure investment to protect our shoreline and future.

• Government Overreach & Accountability – With state-level preemption on the rise, candidates pledged to defend local control, transparency, and responsive governance that truly reflects the will of our residents.

  
  

It was encouraging to see alignment across all speakers on these critical issues. Each candidate brought fresh ideas, deep local knowledge, and a clear commitment to keeping Miami Beach a place of progress, equity, and sustainability.

Although Brian Ehrlich, candidate for Commission Group 1, was traveling and couldn’t attend in person, he sent his well wishes — and we’re excited to share a short video from him outlining his vision for the city.

Brian Ehrlich - Group 1

Guests enjoyed happy hour drinks, casual conversations, and meaningful exchanges with candidates — all against the backdrop of a gorgeous Miami Beach sunset. We were especially proud to welcome not only registered Democrats but also left-leaning neighbors and Non-Party Affiliates. Building a broad, inclusive coalition is essential to moving our city forward.

📣 Huge thanks to Bill Warren — former Miami Beach Dems board member and longtime Pride Parade organizer — for emceeing the night with warmth, energy, and heart. We’re lucky to have his voice in our community! 💙

This is just the beginning. Let’s keep showing up — for democracy, for community, and for a better Miami Beach.

Stay informed and get involved! Visit our Elections 2025 page to learn about the candidates, key dates, and how you can make an impact.

📸 Photos courtesy of Charlotte Libov – thank you for capturing the night!