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Miami, Florida — This column has previously reported on Emilio Gonzalez’s campaign for Mayor of the City of Miami. See: https://miamiindependent.com/emilio-gonzalez-running-for-miami-city-mayor/. This summer, however, Emilio has proven beyond any doubt that he is the reform candidate Miami needs.
Earlier this summer, a 3–2 majority of Miami City Commissioners approved a resolution—immediately signed by the Mayor—deferring the municipal elections scheduled for this November until next year. In doing so, they granted themselves an extra year in office without the consent of Miami’s voters.

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They say you can’t fight City Hall, but Emilio showed the courage and resourcefulness to do just that—and win. He assembled a seasoned legal team to challenge City Hall in court. That team demonstrated to both a state trial judge and the appellate court that the City’s resolution violated the City Charter and betrayed the voters of Miami. As a result, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s ruling striking down the resolution and restored the elections to this November.

It is telling that after losing in the trial court, City Hall doubled down and appealed to a higher court, determined to stay in power without the consent of the governed. Only a concurring opinion from the appellate court stifled their corruption. Even then, after losing on appeal, the City sought a rehearing—denied by the appellate court—and is now likely to take the case all the way to the Florida Supreme Court.

Many complain about the corruption and self-dealing of Miami’s Mayor and most City Commissioners. Emilio, however, took decisive action to counter their schemes. In doing so, he demonstrated that he is the candidate best suited to bring integrity and the rule of law back to City Hall.

Emilio was the only candidate for municipal office with not only the courage to confront City Hall, but also the resourcefulness to assemble a top-tier legal team. That team carried the fight to a successful conclusion. This should come as no surprise: Emilio is a decorated U.S. Army veteran with extensive experience in both local and federal administration.

Emilio’s legal team came from the firm Lawson Huck Gonzalez (https://lawsonhuckgonzalez.com/), led by senior partner Alan Lawson, a former Florida Supreme Court justice. The team also includes partner Matthew Gutierrez and associate Matthew Casbarro, both based in Coral Gables, aggressive litigators with a passion for political cases. Judges at both the trial and appellate levels unanimously ruled against the City’s attempt to delay the elections.

As a result of his successful defense of Miami’s elections, Emilio was recognized in August as “Hero of the Month” by Veterans for America First (www.vfaf.us). Jared Craig, Vice President and General Counsel of VFAF, praised Emilio’s victory as “a testament to his dedication to the rule of law, his determination for fair elections, and the rights of voters in the City of Miami.”

As a policy matter, shifting local elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered years could increase turnout and reduce costs. But it would also bury local concerns beneath statewide and national issues, while making fundraising harder for challengers to the political establishment. For example, New York City is holding local elections this November. If Miami has become New York’s “sixth borough,” a refuge from high taxes and overregulation, then shouldn’t it hold its elections on the same timetable?

Reclaim Miami Campaign

Emilio is ready to take Miami back from career politicians and their cronies. He has the integrity to tackle corruption and prioritize public safety, rather than bowing to those who tried to steal an extra year in office without voter consent.

His priorities include fighting:
1. High taxes
2. Street crime
3. Public corruption
4. Unaffordable housing
5. Flooding and crumbling infrastructure

Emilio is fighting not only over an election date, but also over the future of Miami itself. His campaign echoes the mission of Florida’s Reclaim Campaign (www.reclaimcampaign.com): bringing accountability, transparency and results to government.

Emilio will appear on the Defend Florida webcast on Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. (www.defendflorida.org). Some may say Miami ain’t ready for reform, but with the momentum of MAGA, reform is in the air.

As Mayor, Emilio has pledged to “dismantle weaponized government, install oversight, close the revolving door, and shut down backroom deals.” His administration will “hold corrupt officials accountable and restore dignity, honor and trust in Miami’s government.”

He has also declared that “waste, fraud, and abuse at City Hall are driving up costs for residents.” He pledges to eliminate property taxes for homesteaded homeowners, while protecting essential services like police, fire and infrastructure. His campaign, he says, is not about politics—it is about restoring honor and integrity to City Hall

Endorsement

The Miami Independent enthusiastically endorses Emilio Gonzalez for Mayor of the City of Miami in the November elections.