In a surprise upset, Melissa Castro has won the commission seat in the Coral Gables runoff election with a decisive margin of 59.27% to 40.73%. A total of 5721 votes were cast in the election, making it clear that the residents of Coral Gables have spoken and chosen to elect a candidate who prioritizes transparency and community involvement over big money and establishment connections.
Unknown Candidate Defeats Dark Money
Despite being a relatively unknown candidate with a small campaign fund, Castro managed to gain significant support among voters who were tired of the influence of big money in local politics. Her victory is a rejection of the negative campaign tactics used by her opponent, Ivette Arango O’Doski, and her supporters.
Arango O’Doski, a well-connected lobbyist with ties to real estate and developer sources, had received endorsements from the Coral Gables Mayor, the three sitting commissioners, and Miami-Dade Commissioner Kevin Cabrera. She had also raised close to $223,060 in her campaign account, much of it from developer sources and dark money funders.
In contrast, Castro had raised less $20K, mostly in small donations. She had the endorsement of the anti-development Gables Neighbors United and Gables Insider publisher Ariel Fernandez, who had won the other commission seat with a 16-point margin in the first round of voting.
Grassroots and Community Involvement
Castro’s victory highlights the importance of community involvement in local politics. Her grassroots campaign relied on small donations and the support of local residents, who were drawn to her message of transparency and accountability in government.
The election also highlighted the importance of voting in local elections. While Arango O’Doski had attacked Castro for not having voted in past Gables elections, records show that Arango O’Doski herself had missed more city elections than not.
Castro’s victory is a clear message to the current commission and lobbyists that money and influence can only go so far in local politics. Grassroots support and community involvement are crucial for creating a more transparent and accountable government that represents the interests of all residents.
