GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES -- ELECTION NOV. 4, 2025: GROUP 2

Who’s ready to tackle the challenges posed by our vibrant, fast-changing community? Let’s look at Group 2 candidates. This race brings three distinct contenders into the spotlight: incumbent Commissioner Laura Dominguez, endorsed by the Miami Beach Democratic Club; Fred Karlton, a real estate investor registered with the Independent Party of Florida; and Robert Novo,* a former city employee and community activist. Of the latter, one is an enigma both offline and even to Google, the other is a relative newcomer — but each, in their own way, demand the full attention of engaged voters.

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

lauradominguezmiamibeach.com

Laura Dominguez is running for reelection. She’s been in office since 2022. Her record features tangible and cultural impacts across Miami Beach, advancing public safety, livability, environmental resilience, and civic engagement.

On public safety, she has pursued a coordinated strategy that secured additional resources for the Miami Beach Police Department, including staffing increases and technology upgrades. She expanded police presence in senior centers and other public spaces, and bolstered specialized patrol units such as the ATV Beachwalk, DUI Traffic, and Marine Patrol squads to address targeted safety challenges. These measures have shifted the city’s focus toward resident well-being and quality of life, moving away from an era of unchecked party tourism. Dominguez has consistently balanced visitor activity with residents’ peace.

Her environmental leadership includes championing flood mitigation projects, adding stormwater pumps, advancing blue‑green infrastructure, and extending private property adaptation programs to strengthen defenses against sea-level rise and heavy rainfall. She supported expanding bans on gas-powered leaf blowers to reduce noise pollution and has promoted sustainable practices such as composting.

Ask Beach residents about what will improve their daily lives, and they are likely to mention mobility and connectivity, as well as neighborhood stability. As Chair of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee she has advanced measures to make neighborhoods safer and more livable. She has backed the conversion of transient properties into permanent residences to foster stronger communities, supported pedestrian bridges and Baywalk connections, and pushed for updates to the city’s bicycle/pedestrian master plan to enhance access and safety.

Commissioner Dominguez has also worked to streamline government operations by modernizing the permitting process, improving code enforcement, and restoring the Resident Connect system to make City Hall more responsive and transparent. Dominguez has long championed thoughtful development that respects our neighborhoods, protected our historic buildings, and prioritized community input. Her support for organizations like the Miami Design Preservation League and her push for zoning incentives that encourage restoration, not demolition, reflect her commitment to our city’s cultural identity.

Dominguez was one of five commissioners who opposed Mayor Steven Meiner’s resolution to evict O Cinema and revoke its city funding following a controversial documentary screening. Her opposition was rooted in defending free speech and resisting government overreach into cultural programming. She has stood firmly with the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for equality and inclusion. Dominguez also spoke out against what she viewed as voter disenfranchisement during the controversy surrounding a homeless and domestic violence tax amendment in the last Miami Beach election when the Commission voted 4–3 to remove a ballot item to support homeless services even though early voting had already begun and thousands of ballots had been cast.

Fred Karlton

Karlton is the Principal of Karlton Companies. According to its website, The Karlton Investment Group and Karlton Investors have been credited with more than $1 billion in property acquisitions and development since the firm’s founding in 1989. As far as political involvement is concerned, Karlton first ran for Miami Beach City Commission in 2009 as a political newcomer. The campaign was blemished by business and personal disputes, including an ultimately unsubstantiated Miami‑Dade ethics inquiry. He is seen as outspoken and willing to engage, both in business and civic matters.

Now, realistically, the word “billion” conjures our recent encounters in the political arena with unelected and elected billionaires. Let’s venture to say it has been their gains and a profound loss to our finances, human rights and collective sanity.

Forbes’ latest list of billionaires in the U.S. puts the number at about 902 and did not contain Fred Karlton’s name. Like so many in our city he may only be a millionaire, but the buzz suggests that he brings deep pockets and name recognition to the race.

Beyond that, little is known about his political agenda or online presence. Perhaps he’s running a stealth campaign; perhaps more will emerge as the race unfolds.

As a developer, is Karlton pro unbridled development? Is his business experience in real estate an asset or a flashing red light to voters? How will he blend public safety, anti-overdevelopment sentiment and environmental resilience. It is a mystery for now.

Robert Novo *

Political newcomer, Robert Novo’s official campaign webpage asks us to trust him, in all capital letters, and notes his commitment to ensure Miami Beach remains a “livable, transparent, and community-driven city.” It sounds good. It looks good.

Let’s venture to say, though, that his commitment to transparency falters when he outlines his political experience: “Novo served as a Commission Aide at City Hall and a Legislative Aide at the State level.” [Emphasis added]. Notably absent is any mention of whom he served in those roles.

As Democrats, we are concerned because Novo is clearly aware that he suffers from questionable past affiliations as the source of his political experience. While Florida Politics, a statewide news media platform, refers to him as a “fellow democrat,” the bulk of Novo’s political work came from his stint as Legislative Aide to State Representative Fabian Basabe who is, decidedly, NOT a “fellow democrat.”

Fabian Basabe, the Republican state representative for Florida’s District 106, has a history of backing Tallahassee measures that undermine democratic rights and protections. There was Basabe’s “Don’t Say Gay” vote for legislation limiting free expression in schools, as well as votes for other bills targeting LGBTQ+ culture and expression. Basabe backed permit-less firearms carry despite the state’s grief over the Parkland school shooting and rising gun violence against children. And, having promised to oppose it, Basabe skipped Florida’s six‑week abortion ban vote, avoiding accountability on a major reproductive rights issue. NOT a “fellow democrat.”

Fabian Basabe has, time and time again, aligned himself with Governor Ron DeSantis’ culture‑war agenda to erode civil liberties and democratic participation. Still, those are Basabe’s actions.

Novo’s takeaway from this political apprenticeship is unclear, especially since his campaign platform omits any mention of social issues that reflect Miami Beach voters’ democratic values.

Novo also served as Chief of Staff to then-Commissioner Steven Meiner for roughly a year and a half until December 2023, when he resigned his post with the newly elected mayor after his arrest in connection with a dispute with an ex-girlfriend, as reported by The Miami Herald. The charges were later dropped, and the case was dismissed.

Controversial personal issues aside, it is the Meiner connection that also complicates Novo’s “fellow democrat” characterization. Meiner ran for office without any party affiliation, but as our club pointed out in a statement during the 2023 runoff election, Meiner consistently has sided with Tallahassee Republicans—voting “no” on resolutions condemning both the January 6 insurrection and Florida’s six-week abortion ban.

Novo’s political record does not support a claim to any kind of progressive agenda. Voters must weigh his résumé against the broader question of what kind of political environment—and what degree of erosion of our constitutional rights—they are willing to accept. His “if elected” promises may be appealing, but delivering on them could require a level of political skill and independence he has yet to demonstrate.

* Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jason Dimitris ordered Novo removed from ballot. The Judge noted that Novo did not contest allegations that he had not lived in the city for the one year as required of candidates by the City of Miami Beach Charter.