The upcoming Coral Gables municipal election, scheduled for April 8, 2025, has drawn a field of nine candidates competing for three key positions: Mayor and two City Commission seats. This election is particularly significant as it has the potential to reshape the city’s leadership and address ongoing controversies.
Since the 2023 election, Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson have frequently opposed initiatives proposed by Commissioners Kirk R. Menendez, Melissa Castro, and Ariel Fernandez. Despite the perceived division, the Coral Gables Gazette has confirmed that out of more than 600 votes cast since Castro and Fernandez took office, the Commission has voted unanimously nearly 92% of the time.
Mayoral Race
Incumbent Mayor Vince Lago is seeking a third consecutive two-year term, following 8 years as a commissioner. He faces challenges from current City Commissioner Kirk Menendez and businessman Michael Anthony Abbott.
Menendez, who initially planned to run for re-election in Group III, shifted to the mayoral race, emphasizing the need for “civility, stability, and selfless leadership.” Previously seen as a swing vote on the Commission, Menendez has clashed with Lago, particularly after the mayor began publicly attacking fellow commissioners and their families on radio and television. These actions led to the first-ever censure of a Coral Gables official in October 2023.
Abbott, vice president of M&A at SynXGlobal, is a political newcomer with limited name recognition.
Group II Commission Seat
Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson is seeking re-election but faces strong opposition from architect and longtime Coral Gables resident Felix Pardo, as well as attorney Laureano Cancio.
Anderson has drawn criticism for what some perceive as her unwavering allegiance to Lago. Her alignment with the mayor has raised concerns among residents, with some suggesting that their initiatives often appear choreographed. She has also been linked to the failed septic-to-sewer conversion effort in Kings Bay, which lacked community support due to process concerns.
Pardo, who previously ran for a commission seat in 2005, has an extensive history of involvement in city governance. He currently serves on the Planning and Zoning Board and the Charter Review Committee and chaired the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Mediterranean Bonus in 2021. He entered the race citing a “sense of great urgency” regarding the city’s priorities, primarily the need to curb overdevelopment and ensure a protection of the city’s zoning code.
Cancio, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in Coral Gables, is focusing his campaign on traffic safety, managing overdevelopment, and advocating for the city to take control of its own school system.
Group III Commission Seat
With Commissioner Menendez vacating his seat to run for mayor, three candidates have entered the race for the Group III seat: attorney Richard Lara, transportation executive Claudia Miro, and attorney Thomas “Tom” Wells.
Lara, endorsed by Mayor Lago, launched his campaign amid controversy, making his announcement during a Commission meeting while publicly criticizing potential future colleagues. He later opposed the construction of an ADA ramp for children accessing the Miracle Theatre’s children’s theater, drawing further scrutiny.
Miro, vice president of micro-transit company Freebee, previously served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Board until she was removed for political reasons by Anderson. She is running on a platform emphasizing sustainability and community engagement.
Wells, an active participant in commission meetings and a member of the Charter Review Committee, prioritizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. He played a key role in reopening Burger Bob’s—now Birdie Bistro—and securing the city’s lease renewal with Fritz and Franz.
With Coral Gables at a crossroads, this election will shape the city’s leadership for years to come. Voters will head to the polls on April 8, 2025, to determine the city’s future direction.
This Post Has 18 Comments
All elections are important, but this one, for us, is unbelievably important! Anyone Lago or Anderson endorse is a NO vote for me! These two have bowed down to developers, changed the landscape of CG (for the worse), Lago is rude and patronizes everyone, they both refuse to work together with their fellow Commissioners (because they lose power) and most importantly, THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT RESIDENTS!
Please VOTE THEM OUT!!!!
Your editorials are so slanted that they are laughable and, of course, unbelievable.
Slanted? You’re right, because Coral Gables Magazine, Community News and the trashy Aesop (which is on the Mayors payroll) couldn’t be more slanted. Open your eyes. Be a part of the solution. Accept the fact that the Mayor is in it for his personal interest and the Vice Mayor is his puppet, hanging on for dear life.
Perhaps you should take some time to watch the Commission meetings and read the verbatim minutes. They are available on line, at Coral Gables.com. It may be an eye opener for you.
You commenting here made it very clear who is behind it. You ma’am are an embarrassment to your family, and the city. You really believe that you have all this power and sound so majestic when you take the mic. Sorry to tell you, you sound like an old communist. You’re a vile and disgusting person. You should be ashamed of yourself, I’m sure your husband is. Drop the whole 6th commissioner act and do something about your house. It’s falling apart.
This is Ariels come back.
If Menendez were to win, expect another 100% raise for himself and his cronies as his first act!
i voted for Fernandez after he came to my house and lied to my face. my problem is that i believed him believed him. he then raised his salary, got a cg car paid by us also etc….he then went to see the elected officials in Tallahassee where he was not really welcomed due to his past,,,,,( check him out ) ,,,..i no longer believe him and all of sudden you stated to publish again and from what i can see you are in the wrong camp and i wonder who is behind you now ????
Lago and Anderson is the only choice , vote Lago and Anderson
I won’t vote for anyone who gave themselves a pay increase, it should have gone to the Voters/tax payers! Nothing more needs to be said and we need commissioners that have careers and private sector experience.
Rhonda is going to cause homeowners to go into massive debt or have to move out of the gables as she pushes septic to sewer conversion that can cost nearly $100,000 per home including landscape and hardscape costs. Imagine if your driveway needs to be torn up or if your current septic tank is in the rear of your property. Get ready for MASSIVE COSTS and she claims to be the expert in SH*T. Septic tanks that are maintained correctly serve a purpose. Our current sewer system in the county is failing without adding additional resources to it. She’s all talk but no action and makes city staff run through hoops as she tells us we don’t understand because she knows it all.
i watch the commission meetings regularly (missed one in the last 12 mos) on the youtube channel. Lago is pedantic, arrogant on level with a congressperson in DC , except this is CG, not DC. Anderson is just weak. in this small town, why can’t these people get along? the salary increase thing is a head fake. gimme a break, are these supposed to be FT positions? the #s are entry level salaries at many if the companies they make their HQ in CG. FIFA, Bacardi, Diageo. what do you think they’re paying their middle managers, never mind senior Execs.
Another hail Mary by Ariel Fernandez. Desperation makes us do dumb things. This is that dumb thing Ariel is doing out of desperation. You’re done my man. Pack it up. You played the wrong hand and you just busted. You can have all your friends in here with scripted comments like your boss Maria Putin, it’s not going to help. Hasta los bye bye.
You know, I read these comments and all I can see is hate. So much hate. Few intelligent comments, but most are just bashing other people without knowing facts.
Does anyone watch or attend the commission meetings? They are available via live zoom feeds, on Comcast cable tv or even on YouTube. You should watch them. Pay attention to items of interest to you. You can have the meeting agendas emailed to you so you can find out what topics are being discussed. I see an always agitated, chest pounding, I did this and I did that kind of mayor who seems to know everything because he has a construction company and a degree in construction management. He is disrespectful to his peers, but never to his vice mayor. His outbursts are becoming too frequent and his support of convicted felons is very troubling. I’m not even referring to his questionable dealings with other people with less than squeaky clean backgrounds. As for the Vice Mayor, I see the mayors puppet. Very intelligent woman but playing for the wrong team. Indignant on getting the septic to sewer plan going even though Kings bay and most of the gables is at least 10 feet above the water table on top of coral rock. The expense to complete that task is going to be astronomical and unaffordable for most. But keep pushing Madam Vice Mayor. While you’re at it, keep pushing for taller and taller buildings. The monstrosity across from the post office isn’t big enough. We need more. Lots more.
I also see a lot more than I care to write about on this comment. To all you haters out there, learn what is truly going on in this city you all claim to love. Don’t go by what he said or she said or their cousins sisters husbands uncle said. Take some time. Ask for the commission meeting minutes.
There is one thing about an incumbent like the mayor and the vice mayor- they have a track record and a voting record. If all you care about is this hyped up, fictional so and so refused to lower the millage rate or commission pay raises, you’re just sheep following the puppet master. Get the facts, the details. Learn the truth. I wish the city and its residents nothing but the best in this upcoming election!
You forgot the A.O. anyway that was a great essay. Did Ariel write for you, or are you far up his ass you know what he’s thinking? You started well but then you showed your cards. Listen all this shit talking is entertaining but you and I both know that in April your team will be done. Next time lower the amount of glazing. You’re too obvious.
To Julio Anonymous (there must be 10,000 Julio A’s in Miami):
I rarely reply to these comments but have noticed that, in all your responses, you just spew vitriol rather than making constructive suggestions. You write like a 20-something year-old talking to your buddies rather than an educated man with appropriate communication skills. Your constant disrepect to others with accusations and foul language show that you cannot be taken seriously. I doubt your parents would be proud of the son they raised with you showing such hatred and anger toward your neighbors. You are definitely NOT an asset to our community at this point in your life, but I’m sure you could have much more to offer that is constructive in the future. Don’t bother responding to me with your usual nasty tone — I won’t be reading it.
You are one nasty, worthless piece of trash by expressing yourself the way you do. Nothing but vulgarities. Zero class. Zero brains.
I just can’t imagine that Justin is involved with this.
But I will figure it out.