Buyer's Remorse in Politics: Miami Commissioner Learns Loyalty Can't Be Bought

The Cost of Influence in a Miami City Commission Election

In June, a special election took place in Miami that saw only 5,346 votes cast. Despite the low turnout, two of the city’s most prominent politicians spent a combined $1.6 million to support their preferred candidate for the city commission. That equates to nearly $300 per vote, raising serious questions about the influence of money in local politics.

This election, which lasted just six weeks, was not only unusual in its scale but also in the level of financial commitment from political figures. The race was for a seat on the five-member city commission, which became vacant after the sudden death of Commissioner Manolo Reyes. This open seat had significant implications for the balance of power within the commission.

Voters in District 4 were inundated with campaign materials and advertisements that included harsh accusations against the opponent of Ralph Rosado, the eventual winner. Jose Regalado, the son of former Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, who now serves as the county's property appraiser, faced intense scrutiny during the campaign.

A month after the election, it has become increasingly clear that when large sums of money are invested in an election, there are usually expectations of loyalty and support in return. This has proven to be the case with Rosado, who has not aligned himself with the expectations of some of his key supporters.

Commissioner Joe Carollo, who had previously been a strong advocate for Rosado, admitted that he regrets the over half a million dollars his political committee, Miami First, spent in the race. He also expressed regret over the time he invested in helping Rosado win the election. “It's the worst political mistake that I've made in my life,” Carollo said.

Carollo’s disappointment stems from two specific votes that Rosado has cast since taking office. One involved supporting the postponement of the November election to 2026, a move backed by Mayor Francis Suarez, whose committee invested $1.1 million in the election. A judge recently ruled this decision unconstitutional, and the city is expected to appeal the ruling.

The second vote that concerned Carollo was the decision to terminate the Bayfront Park Management Trust in January of next year. Carollo had previously served as chair of the trust but was ousted earlier this year, with the agency handed over to his rival, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela.

Is Rosado simply a loyal supporter of Mayor Suarez, or is he an independent thinker who makes decisions based on his own judgment? While the answer remains unclear, Rosado has outlined a vision for improving infrastructure, flood resilience, affordability, and traffic safety in District 4, which includes parts of Flagami, Silver Bluff, Shenandoah, and Little Havana.

During the campaign, Rosado downplayed the support he received from Carollo, even though it was widely known that Carollo’s PAC had been funding campaign materials. When asked directly by the Herald Editorial Board if Carollo or his affiliated committees had donated to his campaign, Rosado denied any involvement.

However, a video posted by the Political Cortadito blog appeared to show Carollo directing a campaign video for Rosado at a park. In response, Rosado told the editorial board that Carollo had reached out and "stopped by" but was not involved in the video’s production. Yet, in a recent story, Carollo provided a different account, claiming that he and his wife wrote the content of the 30-second ad.

The Herald Editorial Board ultimately endorsed Regalado in the District 4 race, highlighting the contentious nature of the election.

The broader lesson from this situation is that no one can buy a seat on the city commission by expecting unwavering loyalty from those they support. The District 4 seat belongs to the voters, not to political donors or powerful figures. However, in a system that often rewards financial backing and political allegiance, this lesson is frequently overlooked.