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Controversial Decision Shakes Miami Politics: Ron DeSantis Speaks Out

Friday, June 27, 2025 by Edward Lopez

In a narrow 3-2 vote, Miami's Commission passed an ordinance on Thursday delaying the municipal elections originally scheduled for November 2025 to November 2026. This decision extends the terms of Mayor Francis Suárez and Commissioners Joe Carollo and Christine King by an additional year, sparking significant political and legal uproar.

The main advocate behind this initiative, Commissioner Damián Pardo, justified the proposal by stating that it would "allow greater citizen participation and align the elections with state ones." Pardo also claimed that moving the elections could save over a million dollars, as reported by Univision.

Legal Warnings and Institutional Opposition

However, the ordinance has faced strong criticism from various sectors, particularly from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who publicly warned that the ordinance might be unconstitutional. In a letter sent to the Commission, Uthmeier asserted, "The state will not tolerate such unconstitutional deviation. You must immediately halt the process of enacting the ordinance to change the date of municipal elections and extend the terms of elected officials."

Uthmeier further appealed to the city's democratic history, stating, "The citizens of Miami deserve and have the right to make this decision directly. Home to thousands of patriotic Cuban Americans who know better than most the regimes that flippantly delay elections and extend their hold on power," he added, with clear political implications.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in, describing the measure as undemocratic on social media. "It's not right for politicians to cancel elections and extend terms without approval," he argued.

City Attorney's Defense and Commissioners' Reactions

City Attorney George Wysong responded to the Attorney General's letter, asserting that from a legal standpoint, the measure does not violate local, state, or county laws. "Reasonable people can disagree on the interpretation of the laws. This is one of the reasons we have an independent judiciary to adjudicate cases or controversies. This important feature of our representative democracy… sets us apart from tyrannical regimes, like the one mentioned in the letter," he stated, according to Telemundo 51.

Wysong also argued that "numerous other cities have done exactly the same," defending the legality of the precedent.

Internal Divisions Within the Commission

The decision was not unanimous. Commissioners Joe Carollo and Miguel Ángel Gabela voted against it. Gabela was particularly vocal in his opposition. "The voter did not vote for this, and at the end of the day, it just doesn't look right," he said. "I believe the voter is the one who should have the final say on this, the electorate, and I have no problem if they want to put this to a referendum," he added.

Amid the growing tension, Gabela also resigned from his position as president of the Bayfront Park Trust, leading to a motion being approved to transfer responsibility to the city manager and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Potential Legal Challenges and Future Implications

Potential lawsuits against the measure have already been announced. Some candidates, like Denise Gálvez-Turros, have declared they will take the matter to court. "To stop that vote in the courts, we have spoken with lawyers and know we meet the requirements," she stated, as reported by Telemundo 51.

This conflict opens up a complex legal landscape that could drag on for months and set a significant precedent regarding the power of local governments to alter election schedules without public consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions on Miami's Election Delay

Why was the Miami election postponed to 2026?

The election was postponed to allow greater citizen participation and align with state elections, potentially saving over a million dollars.

Who opposed the election delay measure?

The measure faced opposition from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Governor Ron DeSantis, and Commissioners Joe Carollo and Miguel Ángel Gabela.

What are the legal implications of delaying the election?

The ordinance might face legal challenges for potentially being unconstitutional, with candidates like Denise Gálvez-Turros planning to contest it in court.

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