Commission candidates stress independence and civility, tout local roots and government experience

Two Coral Gables City Commission seats are up for grabs during its first-ever Nov. 3 general election, and while the results will not necessarily impact the power dynamic of the  current commission, the contests could influence how the commission conducts business over the next four years.

In Group IV, incumbent Commissioner Melissa Castro is seeking a second term against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez (no relation to former City Commissioner Kirk Menendez). In Group V, Gonzalo Sanabria faces Dominique “Nikki” Whiting in the race to replace outgoing Commissioner Ariel Fernandez.

The two races likely won’t wrest control or power of Mayor Vince Lago if he retains his seat for a last two year term, but the Group IV contest could change the dynamic of a commission that has been marked in recent years by dysfunction and contentious bickering surrounding key issues like development, spending, and governance between commissioners.

Castro and Fernandez were elected in 2023, joining then-Commissioner Kirk Menendez in a commission that frequently challenged Lago and Anderson. Richard Lara later replaced Kirk Menendez, changing the voting dynamics on the dais.

Castro vs. Menendez

Castro has made independence, fiscal accountability, development and government transparency central themes of her reelection campaign. Her campaign describes her as a resident-first commissioner who has opposed what she considers excessive height, density and incompatible development. It also highlights public safety, taxes, neighborhood protection and constituent access.

Castro has voted against several major development projects in recent years, including the Crystal Residences project in North Ponce, the Mobility Hub and the Mark project in the Rapid Transit Zone. All three were ultimately approved.

In written responses to questions from the Gazette, Castro said she is seeking reelection because “the job is not done,” pointing to what she described as her record of fiscal oversight, development notification, a resident parking discount and regular constituent access.

But she also sought to steer the race away from the personal political conflict that has characterized some of her interactions with Lago. “I don’t want this election to be about personalities,” Castro said. “It should be about records and independence.”

Her message to voters was that her disagreements with Lago are a matter of independent representation rather than opposition for its own sake.

“When I agree with the mayor, I vote with him. When I disagree, I don’t,” she said. “That is not dysfunction. That is representative government.”

Castro added: “No commissioner should be another elected official’s automatic vote.”

That distinction is particularly relevant given Castro’s role as one of Lago’s most frequent critics on the dais. Her opposition has not necessarily prevented the mayor’s initiatives from passing, but she has regularly challenged him through questioning, debate and dissent during commission meetings.

Menendez, meanwhile, is campaigning on a message centered on civility, families and responsible growth. A University of Miami-trained attorney and longtime Coral Gables resident, he has served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board and Charter Review Committee. His campaign says he wants to restore civility at City Hall, put families and residents first and protect the traditions and character of Coral Gables.

Menendez’s political alignment with Lago has also been visible during the campaign, including campaign signs for Menendez displayed at the mayor’s Coral Gables home.

The financial difference between the campaigns is substantial. Through the latest reporting period, Menendez had reported $93,120 in monetary contributions, compared with $9,275 for Castro.

Sanabria vs. Whiting

The Group V race presents a different contrast. Sanabria is a longtime figure in Coral Gables civic affairs and currently serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. He previously served on city and civic boards and committees and ran unsuccessfully for commission seats in 2009 and 2011.

Sanabria has been a familiar presence before the commission in recent years, frequently speaking on city issues and challenging Fernandez on several matters.

Asked by the Gazette why he is running, Sanabria pointed to a dispute with Fernandez over an ethics complaint. He responded by sending the Gazette a video of Fernandez discussing the matter and wrote: “This is why I decided to run vs Ariel and then he decided not to file for re-election.”

Whiting brings a different professional background. Her résumé includes positions with former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Steve Bovo, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and Miami Dade College. She has also served on the Coral Gables Property Advisory Board and Communications Committee.

“Public service has always been part of my life, shaped by generations of my family who served our country and community, and it has been the cornerstone of my own career at the federal, state, and local levels,” wrote Whiting, in an email response to the Gazette. “My priorities are keeping our neighborhoods safe, addressing traffic and speeding, maintaining infrastructure, delivering responsive city services, and exercising fiscal discipline. I would like to help make local government more efficient, from expediting permitting to improving access to city services.”

Whiting reported $53,150 in monetary contributions, while Sanabria reported $19,450.

The Gazette emailed all four commission candidates seeking their views on the election, their priorities and their campaigns. This article was updated with Whiting’s response. Menendez has not responded.

Candidate forum Sept. 16

The four commission candidates are scheduled to appear at a Gables Good Government Committee forum Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Coral Gables Congregational Church, in a members-only event. The event is scheduled to include presentations and question-and-answer sessions with candidates in the mayoral, Group IV and Group V races.

Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff

Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.