In the ever-evolving narrative of Miami-Dade, January 2025 stands as a chapter of transformation and challenge.
-Wilson Alvarez
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly — Miami-Dade’s January 2025 Political Recap
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava: A Balancing Act
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava began the year with her State of the County address, weaving promises of affordability, better transit, and climate resilience into a speech that was equal parts optimism and urgency. Projects like the Better Bus Network and South Dade Transitway shimmered with hope.
Yet beneath the surface, a projected $48 million budget shortfall darkened the county’s fiscal horizon. Protesters called for the county to divest from $76 million in Israeli bonds—a demand Levine Cava quietly acknowledged but did not act on. In politics, silence sometimes shouts.
Mayor Francis Suarez: A Quiet Final Lap
In contrast to his past flair, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez slipped into January 2025 like a man already writing his farewell letter. Once the darling of tech titans and presidential hopefuls, Suarez now stands as a mayor in his twilight—barred by term limits, absent from controversy, and notably absent from the headlines.
No grand initiatives, no fiery addresses. Just the slow, quiet winding down of a political chapter that once promised to rewire Miami’s future. The race to replace him has already begun, with candidates like Emilio González positioning themselves in the spotlight he once dominated.
City of Miami: Political Shifts and New Faces
Former City Manager Emilio González has formally filed to run for mayor, igniting speculation and jockeying in City Hall. His return to electoral politics signals a changing of the guard, one that could bring old-school governance back into Miami’s high-tech orbit.
Miami-Dade County Commission: Lines Drawn
The Commission stirred controversy in January by giving preliminary approval to an ordinance limiting protests at Miami International Airport. Citing safety and access concerns, critics called it a curb on free speech—an early-year reminder that rights are often negotiated in the margins of bureaucracy.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle: The Watcher
Miami-Dade’s top prosecutor, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, doubled down on her office’s voter protection efforts, emphasizing her commitment to electoral integrity. In a time when democracy is often undermined before ballots are cast, her role remains both vital and often underappreciated.
The New Constitutional Officers: A Republican Reset
January saw the official swearing-in of Miami-Dade’s first set of constitutional officers in over 60 years, ushering in a wave of Republican leadership:
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Dariel Fernandez became the new Tax Collector, promising to digitize services and trim red tape.
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Alina Garcia took the helm as Supervisor of Elections, vowing neutrality amid an increasingly partisan environment.
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Rosie Cordero-Stutz began her tenure as Sheriff-elect, overseeing a transition that won’t culminate until 2028.
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Tomás Regalado, a veteran of Miami politics, returned as Property Appraiser with climate-based tax reform on his agenda.
The chessboard has changed. And red pieces now dominate.
State Politics: Power Plays and Internal Disputes
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, representing a Miami-Dade district, made headlines for clashing with Governor Ron DeSantis over immigration policy. Perez’s “TRUMP Act” was positioned as reform—but DeSantis dismissed it as diluted.
These Republican power struggles reveal a truth rarely spoken aloud: in Florida, battles are often fought within the party before they ever reach the opposition.
Monthly Synopsis
January 2025 in Miami-Dade was a month of shifting roles, muted exits, and thunderous entries. Mayor Levine Cava charts an ambitious but fiscally strained path. Mayor Suarez fades from view, while the Commission redraws the boundaries of public protest. New Republican leaders have taken office, altering the shape—and perhaps the soul—of county governance. And in the statehouse, political knives are sharpened not against enemies, but between allies.
