Mayor Maria Mitchell will retain her seat as mayor of Miami Springs as no one ran in opposition.  She has been a well respected and popular mayor.  She became the first female mayor of Miami Springs in 2021 during the COVID epidemic.  This is the second time Maria runs unopposed for Mayor.  Congratulations Mayor Mitchell!

Miami Springs Mayor Maria Mitchell
Photo courtesy the City of Miami Springs.

Walter Fajet will also retain his seat on the Miami Springs City Council.  Fajet grew up in Miami Springs and is currently the Principal at the Academy for Innnovative Education (AIE) Charter School.  Congratulations Walter!

Miami Springs City Councilman, Walter Fajet (Photo Credit: City of Miami Springs)
Miami Springs City Councilman, Walter Fajet (Photo Credit: City of Miami Springs)

Seat I

Miami Springs Councilman Bob Best at September 11 Ceremony
Miami Springs Councilman Bob Best at September 11 Ceremony

Councilman Bob Best was term limited after serving 4 consecutive terms.  That has attracted 3 candidates that officially qualified to run for Seat I.  Those candidates are Orlando Lamas, MaryJo Mejia, and Jorge Santin.

Orlando Lamas has shown an interest in politics for some time.  It appeared he was interested in possibly running for State Representative and County Commissioner before pulling out of those races.  According to Voter Focus, Lamas raised $136,035 to run for County Commission District 6 seat before pulling out of the race.  Lamas is a licensed architect and certified general contractor.  Stay tuned for our upcoming interviews with the candidates.

Orlando Lamas (photo credit Orlando Lamas for City Council Facebook Page)
Orlando Lamas (photo credit Orlando Lamas for City Council Facebook Page)

Mary Jo Mejia is a newcomer to Miami Springs politics.  She’s promoting herself as the “candidate who is honest, humble, and can lead with a heart.”  Stay tuned for our upcoming interviews with each candidate to let you get to know your choices before the upcoming election.

Jorge Santin has been involved with the Miami Springs Community and local politics for several decades.  He recently served as a board member of the Business and Economic Development Task Force.  He’s also served with the Optimist Club, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, and other local groups.  Professionally, Santin operates a real estate appraisal business.  His wife “Liz” operates the local bakery, Twice As Sweet, located across from Milam’s Market.

Jorge Santin for Miami Springs City Council Group I

This is the second time Jorge runs for the City Council.  Back in 2007 he ran against the popular incumbent Bob Best and came in second in a three way race.  Once again, he’s in a three way race, but this time there’s no incumbent holding the seat.

Seat II

Jacky Bravo
Miami Springs Councilwoman Jacky Bravo

Councilwoman Jacky Bravo is a local realtor that entered politics for the first time in 2021.  In her first election, Bravo won by a 10% margin against candidate Vivian Isla-Rey.

This year Bravo is facing a challenge from Miami Springs resident Jennifer Graham.  Graham hails from the tech sector and has served as President of the Miami Springs Historical Society.  Graham also served on the Business and Economic Development Task Force.  This is Graham’s first foray into elected politics.

Jennifer Graham (Center) with Yvonne Shonberger (left) and Historian and Author Seth Bramson (right). Photo courtesy Miami Springs Historical Society and Museium.
Jennifer Graham (Center) with Yvonne Shonberger (left) and Historian and Author Seth Bramson (right). Photo courtesy Miami Springs Historical Society and Museium.

Seat IV

Councilman Victor Vazquez resigned to run for Miami-Dade County Commission.  Ultimately, Kevin Cabrera won the seat formerly held by Rebeca Sosa.  However, Vazquez wants to win his seat back.

Miami Springs Councilman Victor Vazquez
Miami Springs Councilman Victor Vazquez

George Lob is the current councilman in seat 4.  He was selected as the interim councilmember by the rest of the City Council.  However, George has no interest in a full term and was selected in part because of that.  As promised, Lob did not throw his name into the race.

Tom Hutchings
Tom Hutchings

Tom Hutchings joined the 2023 Miami Springs Municipal elections and decided to run against Vazquez for seat IV.  The Hutchings name is well known in the area.  Sally Hutchings was a Vice Principal at Miami Springs Elementary for many years.  Chuck Hutchings is a technophile and long time contributor to the Gazette.  Hutchings Realty was one of the top local real estate firms.  And Tom Hutchings is one of the operators at A Little Bit of Philly restaurant in Virginia Gardens.

MIAMI SPRINGS ELECTIONS:

Election day is Tuesday, April 4th.  You can vote in person at the Miami Springs Golf and Country Club.

Miami Springs City Hall
Miami Springs City Hall

Early voting is held at Miami Springs City Hall on Friday, March 31st and Saturday, April 1st.

Miami Springs General Elections

VIDEO INTERVIEWS:

Stay tuned for our upcoming interviews with the candidates.  Get informed.  Then get out and vote.

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