By Coral Gables Gazette staff

A reader poll conducted by the Coral Gables Gazette suggests former Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk would begin a hypothetical mayoral race with a clear lead, drawing the largest share of support among the four options presented.

The poll asked: If the election for mayor of Coral Gables were held today, whom would you support? Voting was conducted in collaboration with Crowdsignal from Jan. 5 through Jan. 12. Duplicate voting was restricted. The poll was open to Gazette readers and is not a scientific survey.

A total of 379 votes were cast.

Kerdyk received 157 votes (41%), followed by Commissioner Melissa Castro with 118 votes (31%). Mayor Vince Lago received 73 votes (19%), while 31 respondents (8%) selected Undecided / Would not vote. Percentages are rounded to whole numbers and may not total exactly 100%.

None of the three individuals listed in the poll has announced an intention to run for mayor, though Lago is widely expected to seek re-election.

A clear preference among declared options

While the poll was hypothetical, the distribution of responses showed a consistent pattern, with Kerdyk maintaining a double-digit margin over Castro and a substantially larger share than Lago.

Readers who supported Kerdyk frequently pointed to experience, continuity, and long-standing ties to the community. “Bill Kerdyk will be the best for Coral Gables,” one reader wrote. Another cited his “longtime family and business connection,” adding, “Nobody beats that.”

Castro’s showing placed her solidly in second position, with many readers describing her as increasingly confident in her role on the City Commission. “She shows up, does the work, and consistently puts residents first,” one reader wrote, calling her “the only vote on the commission for the people.”

Lago trailed both challengers, and comments directed at the sitting mayor were often sharply critical. “I wouldn’t vote for Lago in a student council election,” one reader wrote, reflecting frustration expressed elsewhere in the responses.

Because the poll was open to readers and did not collect demographic data, the results should be understood as a snapshot of reader sentiment rather than a measure of the broader electorate.

What this level of response suggests

With 379 responses, the poll reflects a relatively high level of engagement for a Gazette reader survey, particularly given that none of the individuals listed has formally entered a mayoral race. While the results should not be interpreted as a measure of the broader electorate, the volume of participation suggests sustained reader interest in the direction of City Hall leadership and the city’s political future.

Reader polls typically attract responses from residents who are already paying close attention to local issues, and the level of participation here indicates that the question of who might lead Coral Gables next is resonating beyond a narrow or fleeting audience. The distribution of responses — with clear separation among the three candidates and a comparatively small undecided share — also suggests that many engaged readers hold formed views, even at this early, hypothetical stage.

As with all Gazette reader polls, the results capture sentiment among an engaged readership at a specific moment in time. They offer insight into how closely local governance and leadership questions are being followed, rather than a prediction of how a future election would unfold.

Write-ins noted, but not options

Although the poll limited responses to four choices, a small number of respondents used the comment section to suggest alternative names. Former Mayor Don Slesnick was mentioned twice and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson was mentioned once. Write-in candidates were not poll options, and no vote totals were recorded for them.

How to read these results

With nearly 400 responses, the poll reflects a meaningful level of engagement for a reader survey. Participation reflects interest among Gazette readers rather than turnout among registered voters.

The results suggest that, among engaged readers, Kerdyk currently holds the strongest base of support in a hypothetical matchup, Castro draws substantial backing and Lago faces notable resistance.

As with all Gazette reader polls, the findings capture sentiment at a moment in time and are presented to inform discussion.