M
iami’s mayoral race, set for Nov. 4, features 13 candidates—six seasoned politicians and seven newcomers—making it the most open contest in over a decade. Early voting is already underway. Real‑estate interests largely back former city commissioner Joe Carollo and county commissioner Eileen Higgins, while a handful of developers and investors support ex‑city manager Emilio Gonzalez, former mayor Xavier Suarez, and former commissioners Ken Russell and Alex Diaz de la Portilla. None of the leading candidates have offered radical real‑estate proposals beyond the standard pledge to boost affordable and workforce housing in a city with sky‑high home and rental prices.
Higgins, who represents downtown Miami, Brickell and Little Havana, is leaving her county seat to run for mayor. She boasts the backing of a broad coalition of developers whose projects she has championed, claiming responsibility for 7,000 affordable and workforce units in her district. Highlights include the 465‑unit Magnus Brickell mixed‑income tower by the Related Group. Higgins also secured legislation that fast‑tracks seawall and bulkhead permits to 90 days and incentivizes nature‑based solutions such as mangroves for private property owners.
Carollo, a former city commissioner, has had a rocky relationship with the industry. In 2022 he supported a proposal to scrap a transit‑adjacent incentive that would have reduced on‑site parking requirements, arguing the benefit favored developers’ profits. The plan stalled. A year later, a federal jury awarded $63 million against him for orchestrating a code‑enforcement crackdown that violated the civil rights of Little Havana developers Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla.
Gonzalez, who served as city manager from 2018 to 2020, successfully sued to restore the November election after the commission postponed it. Despite limited backing from major developers, his Mission Miami PAC raised $20 000 from entities linked to Fuller and Pinilla. A MAGA‑aligned Republican endorsed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Gonzalez promises to eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties.
Russell left the City Commission in 2022 after two unsuccessful congressional bids. During his tenure he repeatedly faced opposition from colleagues, notably when he tried to revise Coconut Grove’s code to curb developer‑led teardowns of historic homes.
Suarez, whose 1997 mayoral win was overturned amid voter‑fraud allegations, is attempting a comeback after serving as county commissioner from 2011 to 2020. He cites affordable‑housing projects from his county days and supports tax breaks for homesteaded properties. His son, current mayor Francis Suarez, has yet to endorse any candidate.
Diaz de la Portilla, who received a $100 k donation from Miami Beach investors David and Leila Centner, has little industry support. His commission tenure ended in 2023 when he faced money‑laundering and bribery charges tied to the Centners’ contributions for a no‑bid park deal. Prosecutors dropped the case last year.
Other developments: 3‑D‑printed homes could become common in South Florida—contact [email protected] for thoughts. In the closing timer, investor Edmond Harbour bought a neighboring teardown at 1821 West 27th St. for $34 million. Dr. Mark Jaffe and Patricia Jaffe sold a Miami Beach property. Boston’s TA Realty paid $193 million for a 476‑unit complex at 100 Portofino Drive, after Blackstone sold it for $103.6 million in 2017. A new 4‑acre waterfront property at 820 Jamaica Lane, Naples, lists near $90 million, featuring 858 ft of water frontage. Florida Housing Coalition data shows 143 projects under the Live Local Act, totaling 43,400 units, with 3,200 apartments completed.
Elsewhere: Palm Beach approved a new 60‑ft helipad at Mar‑a‑Lago, replacing the one removed in 2021. Lionel Messi signed a three‑year contract with Inter Miami through 2028 as the club prepares to move into its new Freedom Park stadium. Gov. DeSantis announced nearly $1 billion in rebates for Progressive Auto Insurance customers, averaging $300 per policyholder, with plans to extend similar rebates to other insurers.
