Chair’s Corner: Our Progress Is Proof of What’s Possible

Our hard work over the last eleven months is slowly, but surely, starting to bear fruit. Besides cheering on Democratic victories all the way from Virginia and New Jersey to California, we Miami-Dade Democrats can celebrate the wins we have just racked up here at home:

Democratic incumbents–Laura Dominguez and Alex Fernandez (Miami Beach), and Christine King (Miami)–won re-election to their respective Commission seats.
Democrat Eileen Higgins finished a strong first in a crowded Miami mayoral field, and is now in an excellent position to become Miami’s first woman mayor.
Democrat Monica Matteo-Salinas powered her way to a first place finish in the race for Miami Beach Commissioner, Group I, and has won the endorsement of an impressive array of supporters in the run-off.
Yet another Democrat–Navy veteran and Gen Z political newcomer Oscar Alejandro–earned the Miami Herald’s endorsement and came close to making the run-off for Miami Commission in District 3.

And the voters! In precinct after precinct, Democrats pushing strollers and others pushing walkers flocked to the polls on November 4, with some precincts racking up turnout percentages matching those normally seen during General Election years.

The cheering doesn’t stop here. This past Sunday our dedicated Finance and Comms teams, engaged Democratic clubs and caucuses, our local Congressional shero Frederica Wilson, and generous sponsors united to put Miami-Dade County on the map through our inaugural Blue Bash Brunch, held at the Miami Improv in Doral. Co-hosted by Katie Phang and Michael Popok, the event featured a barn-burner speech by Rep. Jamie Raskin, video appearances by Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Rep. Stacey Abrams, the comedic talent of Brittany Brave, and an unforgettable performance by Flo Rida. To enthusiastic applause from the crowd, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, leading Miami mayoral contender Eileen Higgins, FDP Chair Nikki Fried, and DEC Chair Laura Kelley likewise took to the stage with fiery calls to action. Nationally live-streamed, the Blue Bash Brunch was also an occasion to honor a local Democratic hero: Mayor Javier Fernandez of South Miami, recipient of the Freedom Defender Award for his courage in filing a court challenge to Governor DeSantis’ attempt to force ICE cooperation agreements on local municipalities. For his part, Flo Rida received the Dream Builder Award in recognition of his commitment to fostering youth development through his Big Dreams for Kids Foundation.

As Democrats, we cannot–we must not–rest on our laurels. Yes, our local volunteers outpace the state in the number of new Democratic registrations. Yes, our DEC phone banks make up the lion’s share of Democratic voter contacts in Florida. Yes, our internet postings are reaching an ever-widening audience, with some approaching the top rankings in Google Searches. Yes, we have renewed our outreach to communities in need, recently contributing 1000 turkeys to a Thanksgiving food drive sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones and Rep. Ashley Gantt.

We have accomplished much, but it is not enough. It is no exaggeration to say that the fight to flip Miami-Dade County back blue is crucial to setting our state and our nation back on the path of democracy and the rule of law, and that fight starts now. December 9, and the run-off elections, are just around the corner. The 2026 elections will be here before we know it.

I ask that you, as a Democrat, make a pledge to do your part to Vote, Volunteer, and Invest. Together, we can join with those in Virginia and New Jersey and California and Georgia and Pennsylvania to make headlines, make a difference, and make ourselves proud.

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