As the Coral Gables Commission runoff approaches, Commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez—neither of whom are on the ballot this year—are closely watching the outcome of the Group III race between attorney Tom Wells and first-time candidate Richard Lara to see who will join them on the dais.

While both commissioners have declined to endorse a candidate, they expressed concern that outside spending and special interest contributions have significantly shaped the 2025 election cycle. They contrasted this dynamic with their own campaigns in 2023, when both won despite being significantly outspent.

“This year, it’s been different,” Fernandez said. “We’ve seen more than $1.5 million spent in this race to undo what residents accomplished in 2023.”

The April 22 runoff follows a general election in which Lara—endorsed by incumbent Mayor Vince Lago—secured 47.2 percent of the vote. Wells finished with 39.2 percent, forcing the contest into a runoff. Early voting will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21 at the Coral Gables Branch Library.

Divisive election cycle

Both commissioners characterized the tone of the campaign as unusually negative.

“I’ve been involved in politics for 25 years,” Fernandez said, “and I’ve never seen this level of negative and disgusting attacks—directed at me and others who aren’t even on the ballot.”

Castro echoed that sentiment, pointing to what she described as a “smear campaign of almost a million dollars,” largely funded through the mayor’s political action committee, Coral Gables First.

“All that money came from developers and special interests,” she said. “They spent two years repeating the same messaging. It’s like brainwashing.”

Castro argued that campaign messaging has focused on issues like opposition to an inspector general, commissioner pay raises, and election timing—rather than day-to-day concerns such as public safety, traffic, or overdevelopment.

“Those are the issues that got us elected in 2023,” she said.

Cautious stances on runoff

While neither commissioner offered a formal endorsement in the runoff, both made clear their views on the contrasting approaches of the two candidates.

Fernandez said he had spoken with both Wells and Lara but did not know either candidate well. “Both have good intentions,” he said. “Residents will vote based on the candidates themselves, not on endorsements.”

Castro said she viewed Lara as less independent, citing his alignment with Mayor Lago’s policies.

“If he wins, I expect him to do the right thing as a commissioner—that’s all I can ask,” she said. Still, she added, “It may take a year before he realizes that some of the mayor’s initiatives aren’t in the best interest of residents.”

As for Wells, Castro described him as more independent but stopped short of endorsing him, stating it would not be appropriate.

Looking ahead: Reconciliation or more division?

With tensions on the dais already high, the election outcome is unlikely to unify the commission. Still, both Fernandez and Castro expressed hopes for a more constructive future.

“What I expect, from Tom or Richard, is that we all use our conscience and focus on what’s best for the city,” Fernandez said. “It’s time to put politics aside and get back to the work we were elected to do.”

Even regarding Mayor Lago—his chief political rival—Fernandez signaled a willingness to find common ground.

“If we could get the old Vince Lago back—the one I supported for years, worked with for a decade, helped and advised—that would be welcomed by everybody.”

Castro, drawing from her background in psychology, described the state of the commission as marked by ego clashes and unmet needs for recognition and control.

“Moving forward, fostering self-awareness, empathy, and a focus on common goals may help,” she said. “But those things are hard to build when the Sunshine Law makes informal communication so difficult.”

The runoff election for Commission Group III will be held Tuesday, April 22.