City Commission candidates submitted their most recent financial reports to the City Clerk on March 14, with incumbent Mayor Vince Lago emerging as the clear fundraising leader.
Lago has raised a total of $430,925, including $49,600 in the first seven days of March. Since Feb. 1, he has collected $226,675. His current total surpasses the $380,488 he raised in 2021 during his last contested race.
In the latest filing period, Lago reported 69 contributions, with 34 coming from outside Coral Gables. He received 39 contributions at the maximum allowable $1,000 level and 20 from businesses, including three architectural firms, six law firms, four construction companies and five real estate developers.
Notable bundled contributions include $15,000 from former Coral Gables Commissioner Frank Quesada and John H. Ruiz, a University of Miami booster whose company was investigated last year amid fraud allegations. Additionally, the Plaza developers, developer Lissette Calderon, and contractor Carlos Marquez each contributed at least $5,000. Lago also reported receiving $4,000 combined from his campaign consultant Jesse Manzano and Ralph Garcia-Toledo, who have been identified in published reports as partners in a development firm.
Kirk Menendez
Commissioner Kirk Menendez, challenging Lago for the mayoral seat, has raised $25,830 to date, including $1,120 in the most recent reporting period. Since Feb. 1, he has raised $8,047. Of his 67 individual contributions, 12 reached the $1,000 limit, with most donors residing in Coral Gables. In his successful 2021 commission race, Menendez raised $152,890.
From March 1-7, three individuals contributed a total of $1,120 to his campaign.
Michael Abbott
First-time candidate and accountant Michael Abbott has raised $1,597 so far, with $584 coming from two loans, including one from himself, in the last reporting period. Since Feb. 1, he has raised $1,497.
Commission Group II
Rhonda Anderson
Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson reported raising $8,850 from March 1-7, bringing her total to $66,080. Since Feb. 1, she has collected $30,600. In her victorious 2021 campaign, Anderson raised $90,927, though two of her opponents outpaced her in fundraising.
In the latest period, Anderson received 11 contributions, including six from outside Coral Gables. Eight donations were at the $1,000 level, all from individuals.
Felix Pardo
Planning & Zoning Board member Felix Pardo, running for Anderson’s seat, has raised $24,100 to date, including $175 in the latest period from two Coral Gables residents. Since Feb. 1, he has raised $18,600.
Laureano Cancio
Attorney Laureano Cancio, also vying for the Group II seat, has raised $1,700 overall, with no contributions reported in this period. Since Feb. 1, he has collected $1,600.
Commission Group III
Richard Lara
Richard Lara, general counsel at Spanish Broadcasting System, has raised $113,380 so far. In the first seven days of March, he received one contribution of $100 from a Coral Gables resident. Since Feb. 1, he has raised $18,380.
Claudia Miro
Claudia Miro, a former Planning & Zoning Board member who previously ran for commission in 2021, has raised $23,725, with $2,495 contributed in the most recent period. Since Feb. 1, she has collected $12,095. In her 2021 bid, Miro raised a total of $38,601.
In this reporting period, Miro received seven contributions, six from outside Coral Gables. Two contributions reached the $1,000 limit, and four were from businesses.
Tom Wells
Attorney Tom Wells, also running for the Group III seat, has raised $1,000 to date, with no contributions in the latest period. Since Feb. 1, he has raised $500. Wells has personally invested $11,000 into his campaign.
This Post Has 9 Comments
Lago’s buddies paid big bucks for him to eventually lose this race! Everyone knows he’s corrupt and now it’s so obvious.
Thanks Gazette for doing this story. But it missed the point about the vice mayor.
I almost feel sorry for Rhonda. She sold her soul to win the runoff in 2021. In the 27 weeks leading up to the general election. She raised almost $45,000 and then in the two weeks leading up to the runoff she raised almost $45,000 again! Mostly from special interests. It’s disappointing but explains a lot.
As an observant concerned Residential Voter I do not understand nor give a hoot about how much money a candidate “raises” for their election fund.
Funds collected do not impress nor count as votes.
Do not confuse bank accounts and or corporate connections with sincerity, proven loyalty and active purpose for the benefit of Coral Gables and her residents .
Please provide impartial non-partisan election news updates with real meat that illustrates factual actions and reasons to support a vote for a candidate that sincerely cares about and acts upon the voters living in Coral Gables.
Wouldn’t you agree that it would be a shame to lead voters to choose campaign bank accounts instead of committed leaders?
Well said Ellie!
Corruption everywhere, up and down, right and left, front and back. We never thought this was so rotten. With all the information we’ve received from different sources about the candidates for the Coral Gables mayoral and commission, we can honestly say: THERE’S NO ONE TO VOTE FOR. Everything will be done so everything stays the same. Typical American democracy. Lies and falsehoods. There’s a saying that goes: When a politician isn’t telling lies, he’s stealing children’s lollipops.
In our current local Coral Gables election, as with All Elections, one must always consider The Source…
Do you know who the Talking Head is?
Why we should care to know their Opinion?
Are there other sources to validate a factual basis for their Opinion?
Besides campaign publicity and staff prior to the elections:
How is money collected during a run for office used?
Is it itemized and recorded?
Where do campaign funds retire to after an election?
Are there any reasons why we should be impressed by campaign fund totals per candidate?
Is there a difference in campaign fund totals between
– a professional entrepreneur/ corporate executive?
– a professional civil servant
Can that be explained?
Maybe time for a fresh face in our local politics !
Lago raises 16x his competitors, I wonder how he’s been able to raise so much! Majority of it is from real estate developers and brokers. Just look at their front lawns! 100% of them have Lago yard signs.
These mixed use projects are ruining the fabric of our City Beautiful, the only ones who push for it are the developers and office/residential brokers making big bucks and eyeing Lago and Coral Gables as the next Brickell.
To raise a lot of money from donation ONLY indicates your connection.
What possible BENEFITS do these donor expect once they helped you be elected????
It does NOT say anything about your integrity!!!!!