Changing of the Guard in Florida City. For the first time in 42 years, voters in Florida City will not see the name of Mayor Otis T. Wallace on their municipal election ballots. In the runoff elections on February 17, 2026, they will elect a new Mayor and Commissioner. We are proud to spotlight two Democrats who are running, Vice Mayor Sharon "Sheep" Smith-Butler and Trina Wilborn

No early voting will take place. There will be two election day polling locations: the Florida City/Homestead Service Center, for those voters residing in precinct 922, and Florida City City Hall, for those in precincts 951 and 955. 

If voting by mail, be sure to add postage and mail by Friday 2/13 at the latest.

Here is the sample ballot

As the Florida Legislature prepares to close out Week 4 of its 2026 Regular Session, 1799 bills have been filed, around half of which will receive at least one committee hearing, and perhaps 300 of which will pass both Senate and House chambers. At the same time nearly 3000 special appropriations requests have been made for local projects ranging from drainage improvements to senior support services to workforce training to cultural venue subsidies. Most of these projects will not make it into the budget, and for those which do, some will fall to the Governor’s veto pen. All, however, represent the hopes of local governments and organizations to impact the lives of neighbors and nearby communities.

Florida City voters cast ballots on Tuesday, January 27, in municipal elections for Mayor and City Commission, with results underscoring both the city’s strong Democratic base and the ongoing challenge of low voter participation. Democrats Sharon "Sheep" Smith-Butler (Mayoral race) and Trina Wilborn (Commissioner race) will both be on the ballot in the Feb 17 runoff.

Democrat Sharon Smith-Butler has served Florida City for 17 years as Vice Mayor and Commissioner, building a career rooted in public service and community trust. With experience spanning Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Florida Department of Corrections, and faith-based work, she is running for Mayor to continue promoting honest leadership, public safety, and strong support for seniors and families.

The Florida House and Senate, which already quickened their pace last week, are slated to crank into high gear over the next few days. The Senate has now passed and sent to the House its top-priority items regarding rural economic development and education reform, while the House has reciprocated with several of its own, starkly distinct, priority proposals on firearms access, fetal rights, and rolling back environmental protections. Only the Senate has scheduled a floor session for this week, but committee agendas in both chambers are packed. Here’s a brief look at ten key bills affecting local voters–the no-brainers, the culture war fodder, and the policy puzzlers–on the legislative fast track:

Who will defeat Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar in 2026? The Democratic candidates for Florida's 27th Congressional District will be speaking with voters on Saturday, January 31st and we invite you to join us. Come hear from Richard Lamondin and Robin Peguero.

Additionally, we have several statewide candidates who will share their vision, including Gubernatorial candidates Jerry Demings and David Jolly, and State Attorney General candidate Jose Javier Rodriguez!

RSVP HERE

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session, which gaveled in January 13 and is scheduled to end on March 13, promises to be–yet again–a contentious one. With prospects increasing for continued infighting between House and Senate Republican leaders and among Republicans in general, it is likely that a number of major issues impacting the lives and the pocketbooks of Floridians will go unresolved. Instead, we may be treated to Tallahassee’s now-standard fare: showcase battles over culture war issues, continued erosion of the public interest (public schools, public health, public lands, public employees), special treatment for monied interests, and the ruthless imposition of state preemption over local decision-making powers.

Elieen Higgins became the first woman Mayor of Miami ever, and the first Democrat since the 1990s. This is a HUGE win, with implications for every community in the City of Miami. 

Mayor-elect Higgins won because of her commitment to restore trust in Miami government, tackle the city’s housing affordability crisis, shield small businesses from increased uncertainty in Trump’s disastrous economy and make our streets safe for EVERY Miami resident. She won, because of YOU.

This year with your help, the Miami-Dade Democratic Party worked tirelessly to Re-enroll voters in Vote-By-Mail to reverse the purge, Knocking doors and making calls across the county, and Building the infrastructure to contest every competitive race in 2026 — from school board to Congress. Donate here to continue supporting our work.

View results of the 2025 Miami mayoral election