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The resignation of Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins has created a vacancy on the Commission that is slated to be debated and decided at the November 18th meeting. Much of the debate and deal making has already been taking place in private meetings and hushed phone calls behind closed doors.
The twelve remaining commissioners have three options; Hold a special election, appoint a commissioner who they believe will be an ally and who will leverage their incumbency status and seek election to a full term or appoint an interim commissioner who will represent the residents while an even playing field election is held in August of 2026.
After the botched idea of expanding the Mayor’s and Commissioner terms in the city of Miami, voters have developed a real opposition to having backroom deals that disenfranchise voters and shift power away from the electorate.
This commission seat covers the cities of Miami Beach and Miami. Residents of both of these cities have expressed a clear aversion to appointing a commissioner who becomes an immediate incumbent and has a clear leg up on any possible competition. Furthermore, the past two appointees to the county commission have reflected the values of the person the voters had previously elected, Danielle Higgins Cohen in 2020 and Natalie Milian Orbis earlier this year. While the county commission is non-partisan, insiders are angling to break with the tradition of appointing a replacement whose values represent the outgoing commissioner.
So, let’s break down the options.
Holding A Special Election
Holding A Special Election will cost taxpayers more than $500,000. Residents will be without representation for at least three months, possibly longer. Turnout for a special election will be appallingly low (a special election was held earlier this year and turnout was about 12%). Voters are not used to random election dates, are often not properly informed and the end result is a disservice to all voters.
Appointing A Commissioner/Future Candidate
Appointing a commissioner who will run for election will disenfranchise voters. An appointment will be the result of backroom deals made in private, negotiated by lobbyists and monied special interests. An appointment may also result in the appointment of a person who does not share the same values and priorities of who the voters previously elected to serve them.
Appointing A Qualified Interim Commissioner/Non-Candidate
Appointing a commissioner who pledges not to seek election to a full term, the community will be served by an individual who does not have to spend the next eight months furiously raising money from lobbyists and special interests in an effort to get elected. This type of appointment will also avoid a costly special election where residents spend the next three or four months without representation.
Do The Right Thing
It is obvious that county commissioners should not disenfranchise voters, recklessly spend a half million in tax dollars on a low turnout election or engage in backroom wheeling and dealing, Therefore the most transparent and fair thing to do is appoint a competent qualified
Interim commissioner who publicly pledges not to seek election in eight months.
While it is obvious that this is the most rationale and obvious solution, that’s not what always prevails in county government. County commissioners have a chance to do the right thing on November 18th. Let’s hope they do it.
