Suspended commissioner heading to runoff with challenger in Miami election

On Election Day, Miami voters gave one incumbent an easy victory and sent two others to runoffs, concluding the first round of a campaign season underscored by scandal at City Hall.

Unofficial results show that Commissioner Manolo Reyes had the easiest night, cruising to reelection in District 4 after handily beating his lone opponent with about 85% of the vote.

In two other races, incumbents could not secure the 50% plus one vote to win outright, so voters will again head to the polls in a runoff election on Nov. 21. Both incumbents finished in first place — one of them leading the pack despite being suspended while facing corruption charges.

District 1

Since September, incumbent Alex Díaz de la Portilla has been dogged by charges that he sold his vote in exchange for campaign contributions and gifts in previous elections. His arrest led Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend him.

Many voters seemed undeterred. On Tuesday, he led District 1 candidates with about 36%. Díaz de la Portilla did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday night. He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the bribery and corruption charges.

Trailing Díaz de la Portilla by fewer than 400 votes was Miguel Gabela, an auto parts salesman who faced Díaz de la Portilla in a runoff in 2019.

“We’re exhausted, and we’re feeling good going into the runoff,” Gabela told the Miami Herald. “Today was proof of our hard work that we put in. I’m thankful to all of my campaign workers.”

With controversy swirling, Díaz de la Portilla and Gabela will have a rematch. Gabela has faced his own challenges during the campaign, including the question of whether votes for him would even count. The issue has led to an ongoing legal battle. On Tuesday, he scored a major win when an appeals court ruled in his favor, confirming the trial court’s decision that Gabela’s candidacy was legitimate.

District 2

In District 2, short-term incumbent Sabina Covo, a public relations consultant, led a field of eight with about 39% of the vote, securing a place in the runoff against challenger Damian Pardo, a certified financial planner and political newcomer who won about 26%.

“I am grateful to have our community’s strong support, finishing with a commanding first place lead in today’s election and laying the path for victory in two weeks,” said Covo, 44, in a statement.

Pardo, 60, made a significant personal investment in his campaign — he’s loaned himself more than $165,000 so far, more than 60% of his total fundraising. On Tuesday, he said the the voters stand “at the precipice of a truly transformative moment for our city.”

“This is a testament to the collective power of our shared vision for a better Miami where residents dictate Miami’s future, not City Hall’s special interests or Commissioners who are bought and paid for,” Pardo said, in a statement.

District 4

First elected in 2017 when voters chose him to finish the final two years of Francis Suarez’s term following his mayoral election, Reyes was reelected without opposition in 2019.

“Today’s result is proof that an old school politician focused on serving the people is who the residents of Miami want to see at City Hall,” Reyes said in a statement. “I am humbled by the voters’ choice and steadfast in my commitment to continuing to serve.”

Reyes, 79, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. He confirmed his illness to the Miami Herald on Monday. On Tuesday, he campaigned throughout the district and made several radio appearances to talk about his record and his plan pursue more neighborhood improvement projects.

What’s next?

The run-off election is Nov. 21. Early voting for the run-off will begin Nov. 17 and end Nov. 19.