Can candidate present Miami Beach proclamations? Ethics chief objects to it
Before a fashion show at the SLS South Beach last July as part of Miami Swim Week, Michael Gongora took to the stage to present the event’s organizers with an official proclamation from the city of Miami Beach.
A speaker introduced Gongora as the former vice mayor and “future mayor” of Miami Beach, then handed him the microphone, according to a clip on social media.
“On behalf of the city of Miami Beach, we are excited to welcome you back to the SLS for this great show,” Gongora told the crowd.
Gongora, a former city commissioner, was a candidate for Miami Beach mayor at the time and had been out of office since late 2021. The proclamation he presented was signed by Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, a current commissioner and Gongora’s closest ally, and by Dan Gelber, who is the outgoing mayor, a political rival of Rosen Gonzalez and approves all city proclamations.
In a post on Facebook, Gongora said he had presented the proclamation on Rosen Gonzalez’s behalf.
On at least five occasions since Gongora left office and filed to run for mayor in the Nov. 7 election, he has presented city proclamations on behalf of Rosen Gonzalez or, in one case, Commissioner Alex Fernandez, according to Gongora’s posts on social media. Fernandez raised concerns about the practice at the time, saying he hadn’t authorized Gongora to present on his behalf.
Commissioners regularly have city staff draft proclamations for them to sign, then bring them to Gelber for his approval. Gelber returns them to the commissioners to give to their intended recipients.
The practice has underscored Gongora’s reliance on support from Rosen Gonzalez on the campaign trail — and has led to eth