Mayor

Decision 2016: Miami-Dade Mayor Race Being Fought on The Ballot, in The Courts

Voters in Miami-Dade County will see two familiar names on their ballots when it comes to the campaign for Mayor – especially those living in the city of Miami.

Carlos Gimenez, who has served as Mayor of the county since winning a special election in 2011 and being re-elected the following year, looks to hold on to his seat against a challenge from Raquel Regalado, a former school board member for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the daughter of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado.

Regalado, who spent time as a lawyer and working in communication before running for the school board in 2009, is running on a campaign of advocating change in how the county operates. She has been critical for Gimenez’s handling of the county budget and how he has worked with both employees and the public as a whole.

Gimenez, who spent time as both the chief of the Miami Fire Department and a county commissioner before being elected mayor, has touted his record during the last five years – including the largest tax cut in county history, more police officers being hired each year and increased commerce and travel into the county.

While the two candidates battle for votes, the race also has also seen time in a county courtroom. Just over a week ago, a case brought by Regalado, seeking to have Gimenez taken off the ballot was tossed out be a judge. Regalado said that Gimenez submitted a check with the wrong date to the Elections Department in Miami-Dade County, but was able to later submit one with the correct date - which was denied on Wednesday.

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