The contentious race for mayor is shaping the campaign season in Coral Gables. Commissioner Kirk Menendez and newcomer Michael Abbott challenge incumbent Mayor Vince Lago. Ongoing issues continue to dominate the political landscape: overdevelopment, public safety, public services, and traffic congestion.

Vince Lago
Vince Lago seeks a third term as Coral Gables mayor. Elected in 2021, Lago became the city’s youngest elected mayor. He ran unopposed in 2023. Before becoming mayor, Lago served as a commissioner for eight years and vice mayor from 2013 to 2021.

Lago is an executive at a management and design firm, with business interests in various real estate and development projects, some in Coral Gables.
According to his campaign website, votevincelago.com, Lago’s priorities include protecting the city from overdevelopment, increasing green space, ensuring public safety, and remaining accessible to residents. Before serving as mayor and on the commission and after, Lago held a litany of positions on cultural and governmental boards.

The Gazette reached out to Lago for comment on his platform for the upcoming election, but at press time, no response had been received.

Kirk Menendez
Commissioner Kirk Menendez is challenging for the mayoral seat after being elected to the commission in 2021. Menendez chaired the city’s Parks and Recreation Board from 2013 to 2021.

A lifelong resident of Coral Gables and longtime coach at the War Memorial Youth Center, Menendez is an attorney who has worked in both the private and public sectors. He has volunteered with numerous municipal and nonprofit organizations throughout his career.

Menendez’s primary campaign issues are restoring civility to Coral Gables government, overdevelopment threatening the true character of the city, cut-through traffic congesting neighborhoods and creating life safety issues, and understaffed fire and police departments.

On his campaign website, kirkformayor.com, Mendez also emphasizes enhancing parks and green spaces, and supporting infrastructure improvements. He is endorsed by Coral Gables Firefighters Local Union 1210, Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police, Teamsters Local Union 769, and Gables Neighbors United.

Michael Abbott
Michael Abbott is an accountant with more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. According to his campaign website, SOSGables.com, Abbott is a founding member and chief financial officer of SynXGlobal Inc., a logistics transportation company based in Atlanta.

Abbott moved to Coral Gables in 2002, marking his entry into the mayoral race as his first bid for elected office. He has been active in local government issues, having opposed the city’s rescinded truck ordinance and the misapplication of the Fire Fee. He also helped form the Coral Gables Action Committee in 2021. Abbott is currently involved in a Civil Rights Violation lawsuit against the Coral Gables Police Department for alleged criminal behavior.

Abbott’s campaign focuses on bringing transparency and accountability to city government. He advocates for an effective and efficient government that implements a fair budgetary process, with an emphasis on time management. He also supports a return to inclusive and respectful government, both among elected officials and with residents. Abbott intends to push for Coral Gables to become a tech hub and a pioneer of South Florida’s Emerging Growth Initiative, known as Silicon South.

Abbott is endorsed by the not-for-profit Coral Gables Action Committee, Inc., an organization he cofounded.