Lago raises $472,000 in Coral Gables mayoral race

Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, seeking a third term, has raised $472,475 to date, significantly outpacing his challengers.

According to campaign finance reports filed with City Clerk Billy Urquia for the periods of March 8-14 and March 15-21, Lago collected $41,550 in the latest reporting window. Of that, $23,000 came from 29 donors within Coral Gables, including 17 maximum contributions of $1,000, primarily from individuals. He also received $18,550 from 27 donors outside the city, with 14 linked to real estate or construction businesses. Among the contributions was a $1,000 donation from the political action committee (PAC) Floridians Act First Organization PC, which lists Coral Gables resident Melissa Brooks as a director.

Commissioner Kirk Menendez, challenging Lago, has raised $39,501 overall, including $13,671 in the two most recent reporting periods. Of that, $5,561 came from 22 Coral Gables residents, with one maximum contribution. He also received $8,110 from 11 donors outside the city, including four firefighter PACs and seven $1,000 contributions.

First-time candidate and accountant Michael Abbott has reported $2,391 in total fundraising, with $794 coming from friends and family in the last period.

Commission Group II Race

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson has raised $77,480 to date, including $11,400 in the latest filing period. She received 15 contributions from Coral Gables, including six $1,000 donations—four from businesses. Eight contributions came from outside the city, all from individuals, with two at the maximum level.

Planning & Zoning Board member Felix Pardo, who is challenging Anderson, has reported $26,700 in total fundraising. His latest report includes nine Coral Gables donations totaling $2,800, including one $1,000 business contribution. He also received $2,600 from four individuals outside the city, with two at the $1,000 level.

Attorney Laureano Cancio has raised $1,820 overall, with $120 in personal funds reported in the latest period.

Commission Group III

Richard Lara, general counsel at Spanish Broadcasting System, leads fundraising in the Group III race with $144,930 raised to date, including $31,550 in the latest period. His contributions include $16,250 from 30 Coral Gables donors, half of whom represent businesses. He also received $15,300 from 21 donors outside the city, with 11 from businesses. Notably, he secured a $1,000 donation from Miamians for Sensible Government, a PAC chaired by land-use attorney and former President Trump confidant Felix Lasarte.

Claudia Miro, a former Planning & Zoning Board member who previously ran for a commission seat in 2021, has raised $36,455 overall. Her latest report includes four Coral Gables donors contributing a total of $1,030. She received 21 donations from outside the city totaling $11,700, including eight maximum contributions. Among them was a $1,000 donation from Committee for Responsibility in Government, a PAC.

Attorney Tom Wells has raised $1,000 in outside contributions but has personally invested $15,978 into his campaign. He did not report any new contributions in the latest filing period.

This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Bob keeps it real

    Vote Lago out! He’s a corrupt arrogant self serving politician.

  2. Kandace

    Lago and his cronies need to go!

  3. Lisa DeTournay

    Acccording to a recent letter from the CG Fraternal Order of Police including a list of donors (many out of state), Mr. Lago has received an incredible amount of donations from Occupations listed as: developers/contractors, real estate firms/brokers, architecture, law firms, title firms, healthcare executives…the list goes on and on. What more do we need to hear to realize who Lago truly represents?

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