While Vince Lago long has advocated for moving elections to November, April has proven to be a good month for the Coral Gables mayor. Two weeks ago, he won re-election in a landslide, and his vice mayor, Rhonda Anderson, has also been returned to office by a wide margin. In the April 22 runoff, Coral Gables voters overwhelmingly supported the candidate he endorsed for Commission Group III—Richard Lara.

After two years of being stymied and for the most part held in check, often finding himself on the losing end of many important 2-3 commission votes, Mayor Lago must be beaming from ear to ear. For better or worse, at least for now, Coral Gables is Lago-ville.

City board appointments?

Who will be the new city board appointments? While technically requiring commission approval, these appointments have historically been rubber-stamped by the commission out of professional courtesy. But that could change. The appointments to the all-important Planning Board will be especially telling.

Police contract: A critical test

Another significant challenge on the horizon is the city’s police contract, which is up for renewal in October. Will Lago make good on his pledge to cut police salaries, or will he bury the hatchet with law enforcement to avoid further confrontation? The outcome of this negotiation will be a major test of mayor’s leadership.

Lara: An unproven commodity

Lara is an unproven commodity on the dais. Will he be a reliable third vote for the mayor, or will he prove to be a wily swing vote who plays both sides? His political independence has been a key part of his campaign narrative, but will that hold up in practice now that he holds the crucial commission third vote? A steep learning curve awaits him.

Little Gables annexation: Back on the table?

Will the issue of Little Gables annexation which Lago favors be revisited? Despite overwhelming voter opposition in past years, it’s easy to see how the political dynamics now in play could bring the issue back to the forefront. The question is whether developer interests will once again overshadow the residents’ wishes, especially on contentious issues like annexation and the city’s growth policies.

Money: A powerful influence

It is impossible to ignore the influence of money in this election. Nearly $775,000 was spent on the three commission races in 2025, not including the significant dark money funneled in through political action committees. With over $1 million in total campaign spending, the question we ask: How can Lago, Anderson, and Lara avoid being beholden to their donors? These financial backers expect a return on their investment and these three elected officials may face the difficult task of balancing these outside interests with their duty to the city’s residents. What developers will submit projects that they have held off on awaiting the outcome of these elections?

Lago the merciful?

Now that Lago has triumphed politically, the question remains: Will he be merciful in victory, or will he be vindictive and childish? Lago has certainly earned his victory lap, but it’s important that he does not let his recent string of successes go to his head. The next steps are crucial, and the people of Coral Gables should watch closely to see if Lago chooses to lead with humility or gloat over his political victories.

A new political era—for better or worse

For better or worse, depending on whom you supported in the election, the divisive and contentious election season is now over, and the politicians can return to the business of governing—at least for now. Let’s see what kind of mayor Lago will be. He must lead by example and set the tone in City Hall. We should hope for the best…and prepare for the worst.