MBDC 2025 CANDIDATE FORUM

One line in a recent DNC email jumped out at me: “All hope is not lost. We can — and must — stand up and fight back.” If the Miami Beach Democratic Club’s 2025 Candidate Forum proved anything, it is that we have shaken off the inertia of a sweltering summer and are ready to do just that. We packed the room — standing room only — and left energized after being reminded why local elections matter and why our voices can’t be ignored.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and on Zoom: our members who filled the room, the entire MBDC Board of Directors, our dedicated volunteers, our gracious hosts at the Marseille Hotel, our excellent friend and moderator former Commissioner Michael Gongora, and of course the determined candidates. On hand were our Club-endorsed incumbents — Commissioners Laura Dominguez, Alex Fernandez, and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez (for Mayor), alongside the Group 1 Democratic slate of Daniel Ciraldo, Brian Ehrlich, and Monica Matteo-Salinas. We were also proud to welcome SAVE Dade, South Florida’s longest-serving organization advocating for LGBTQ rights and supporting pro-equality candidates.

Make no mistake: this was no lovefest. Even in a room full of Democrats, the questions from our moderator and our audience were tough, pressing candidates on their platforms, their personal growth, past controversies, missteps, and how they plan to tackle Miami Beach’s toughest challenges while earning our trust. This was a sharp and revealing evening where we heard not only policy differences, but competing visions for our city’s future as a booming metropolis, a green sanctuary, and an entirely unique and diverse community.

Club President Amanda Knapp kicked off the evening by firing up the room with a call to action: VOTE EARLY, VOTE DEMOCRATIC, AND SPREAD THE WORD. Winning these races, she noted, isn’t just about this year, it is about building momentum and laying the foundation for the bigger statewide and national fights ahead.

Moderator Michael Gongora outlined the format of the forum as question-and-answer sessions including his own and MBDC’s prepared questions, as well as an audience participation session opened to the floor and zoom attendees. He assured us that he would stick to time allotted to each candidate … and did.

Former Commissioner Gongora was Miami Beach's first openly gay elected commissioner and vice mayor. He was also the first openly gay Hispanic to win elected office in the state of Florida. And the thing is, he’s a friend and member of MBDC and we can always count on him to come true for us and bring enthusiasm and charm.

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Commissioner Laura Dominguez opened the session, thanking the club for our support and laying out her vision for the city. Dominguez highlighted her work on public safety and neighborhood quality of life while also pointing to long-term goals on climate resiliency, business revitalization, and economic diversification.

She expressed her desire to pivot strategies for spring break management and review whether the extreme actions to control chaos had become a deterrent to tourism. She noted the obvious need to balance community livability with the city’s economic engine and for making Miami Beach friendlier for small businesses while investing in arts and culture to transform Miami Beach's future economy.

Addressing fiscal priorities, she criticized a proposed $800,000 payment to Playboy for office space, suggesting funds should instead attract climate-focused or sports entrepreneurs.

On development, she shared her vision for Washington Avenue, emphasizing the need to balance entertainment with residential aspects while preserving the city's Art Deco heritage. Commissioner Dominguez went on to express pride in her work on the South Shore Community Center and efforts to save Monty’s and acknowledged the need for improved communication between the commission and city administration.

When asked about what she considered the accomplishment of her tenure, Commissioner Dominguez cited her strong record of support for frontline public workers and mentioned her endorsements by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1554 (AFSCME), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Miami Beach Local 1510, the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Equality Florida, SAVE, and Ruth’s List Florida (the state’s only organization dedicated to electing Democratic pro-choice women).

She closed by mounting an impassioned defense against attacks that she described as coordinated by her colleague David Suarez in a social media flood of lies and misinformation about her record. She defended her record on standing with residents and making sure their voices were heard and her resolve to hold developers accountable and ensure promises made are delivered.

Miami Beach Mayoral Candidate Kristen Rosen Gonzalez

The forum then shifted to the mayor’s race. Kristen Rosen-Gonzalez, supporters-/self-proclaimed People’s Mayor, announced her candidacy with a clear message: Miami Beach deserves strong Democratic leadership. She spoke about standing up against the villainization of Democrats, protecting working families, and making the city more accessible, affordable, and environmentally sustainable.

Addressing the much talked about Washington Avenue revitalization, Rosen Gonzalez spoke of the need to “show our historic district some love.” She noted that Washington Avenue is part of the entertainment package Miami Beach offers to visitors. She would support any residential development that is low scale and in context with the area and would encourage investment in the district to create businesses that residents and visitors alike enjoy and return to, so long as our collection of Art Deco buildings is not threatened in any way because, as she stated, “Art Deco is what defines us and makes us different from any other city in the world.”

When asked about the future South Beach fire station, Rosen Gonzalez expressed some regret that her wish to save the existing Morris Lapidus building had led to the campaign to put the station in Flamingo Park where nobody wanted it and now believes the best fiscal option is to keep it where it is.

Answering about the accomplishments of her tenure, she mentioned saving the South Shore Community Center and advocating and giving voice to the voiceless. She reaffirmed her commitment to education on Miami Beach and expansion of wraparound services such as test prep and tutoring, and psychological and mental health services to every child in Miami Beach.

Gongora made sure to ask a question in all our minds: Explain why you joined Miner, Magazine and Suarez last fall on removing an active ballot measure from voters. Rosen Gonzalez clarified that her primary consideration had been that the measure would have added an extra 1% tax, making Miami Beach businesses and restaurants the most expensive in the region. She noted that a former commission had put the measure on the ballot and that she and her colleagues had been caught by surprise. In retrospect, she had also been concerned about how the Homeless Trust planned to spend the money but conceded that Miami Beach has ended up paying $5 million for the debacle.

In closing, Rosen Gonzalez turned to Democrats, embracing democratic values and Miami Beach’s democratic majority. “We can show the world that Democrats are the ones with the open hearts, that are compassionate, that have common sense, that advocate for the average working person, and we need leaders who can communicate this to the world.” “And I think that I’m the right person to move us forward.”

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Well, who doesn’t love incumbent Commissioner Alex Fernandez? Moderator Gongora voiced what most of were thinking -- he’s done a wonderful job and everyone in the room would vote for him and not just because Fernandez was so gracious in attending our forum despite its falling on the date of an important anniversary.

When asked, Fernandez discussed his achievements, including fighting Tallahassee’s overreach and state preemptions that threatened demolition of historic districts, advancing tenant rights, improving infrastructure and safeguarding historic neighborhoods. He pledged to cut through red tape and keep residents front and center in every decision: “I pride myself in serving with the highest level of integrity that you, the voters, deserve. I believe that you need a government that works for you, that works respectfully and that doesn’t attack you.”

Fernandez brought up the often-overlooked community of tenants in Miami Beach and when discussing affordability, talked about passing the first ordinance in the state of Florida for a 90-day notice to tenants on rent increases. He pointed to short-term rentals being a challenge to affordable housing on Miami Beach and how these rentals take away housing opportunities for our nurses, teachers, police officers and service workers.

An audience member’s question “steered” Fernandez to our traffic issues and he discussed moving forward with dual turning lanes on Collins Avenue and perhaps repurposing travel lanes.

Another question mentioned transforming Miami Beach into a city more focused on arts and culture and he agreed, referring to a voter approved bond of over $150 million for public investment towards the arts and noting that because our quality of life is in part dependent on tourism dollars it would be beneficial to attract the type of tourism that is focused in our cultural scene.

In closing, Commissioner Fernandez reviewed his actions relating to fighting the state when it came and preempted voters being able to vote on FAR increases and sponsoring robust opportunities for resident participation such as public notices, community meetings and multiple meetings before planning boards and the Commission. He pledged to continue to be a residents-first commissioner and to serve with ease and accessibility.

Group 1 Candidates – Daniel Ciraldo, Brian Ehrlich and Monica Matteo-Salinas

The meeting then moved on Group 1, with three candidates – Daniel Ciraldo, Brian Ehrlich and Monica Matteo-Salinas presenting their backgrounds and platforms.

Brian, with a background in real estate and city boards, described himself not as a political insider, but as a volunteer with 20 years of experience. He pointed to his work with the Bass Museum and the Historic Preservation Board and said he brings real world experience to the role.

Monica, a 16-year Miami Beach resident, highlighted her passion for public schools and her service on numerous city boards and committees. She also noted her experience working for two commissioners, which she said gave her the know-how to navigate City Hall and get results.

Daniel came with a focused message: his candidacy is about curbing overdevelopment, “taking back our city,” and pushing back against Tallahassee insiders who want to change our zoning. He emphasized his leadership in arts funding and preservation, including securing state support for Miami Beach’s cultural institutions.

The candidates faced questions about potential conflicts of interest — Daniel’s role as Executive Director of the Miami Design Preservation League and Brian’s career in real estate. Daniel, echoing Commissioner Dominguez, said he was under attack by Commissioner Suarez with misleading accusations that he had traded donations for project approvals, pointing out that a $5,000 donation in question was unrelated to his work at MDPL. Brian dismissed the notion that contributions from real estate donors compromised him. On the contrary, he argued, his expertise gave him leverage when negotiating on behalf of the city. Both stressed their commitment to preserving Miami Beach’s character and preventing overdevelopment. Monica, for her part, assured voters she would act independently of the commissioners she once worked for and reminded us that she was a community activist long before she worked inside City Hall.

When asked about their top priorities, the three largely agreed on affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and resisting overdevelopment. They called for a stronger master plan, updated developer impact fees, and smarter traffic mitigation. Monica added proposals for expanding social services and reinstating resident discounts. All underscored the need for transparency and data-driven decision-making in development projects.

The most pointed question of the evening put the candidates on the spot: which of the other two candidates would they endorse if they did not make it to the runoff election? Brian mentioned he had worked with Monica on a lot of different issues and praised her balance and great values. We were somewhat disappointed that neither Monica nor Daniel would risk a choice—perhaps too diplomatic. In the end, we were puzzled by Daniel stating he would consider a Republican candidate so long as that person put the values of our city first.

News flash: if we say inclusivity, democracy, and constitutional rights are our values, the local Republican slate isn’t the best fit this election. Still, it was a tough, out-of-left-field question. What matters is that in Group 1, we know we have our three strongest choices.

In their closing remarks, Brian spoke of Miami Beach as the place that allowed him to flourish and live with purpose. Monica pledged to continue working tirelessly for the community and lead us forward. Daniel framed the race as a battle for the soul of the city, vowing to fight for the right laws and against the wrong ones.

What’s Left to Say?

The future of Miami Beach is in our hands, and it starts with turning out to vote.

Resident engagement and high voter turnout are key to keeping Miami Beach moving forward.

This election is critical to our city’s future.