Former Miami Beach City Commissioner Michael Góngora will confirm weeks of speculation 
and file Monday for the commission race in Group 3.
Góngora was a commissioner from 2009 to 2013 in that seat before he ran for mayor in 2013 against Philip Levine. He also lost a race for Florida senate last year, but only because his name did not resonate outside the city. ven though there were five other candidates, he won almost 60% of the vote in Miami Beach and led in every precinct in the city.
“It shows me Miami Beach residents want me back in office,” Góngora told Ladra Sunday night as he left an Equality Florida event. “Now that my former Commission seat is vacant, I have a responsibility to return to office and help work on the issues Miami Beach is facing, which include transportation, development, flooding and mass transit.”
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Gongora said that things haven’t really gotten better since he left office and that perhaps they have gotten worse.
“It’s time to get back to basics,” Góngora said. 
“Miami Beach has been focused on trying to e a player in the national arena,” Gongora said, referring to the offer of a Cuan embassy, the minimum wage ordinance and Levine’s attention on sea level rise and climate change.
“What we need are clean streets that are not flooded, a safer city, more transparency and financial oversight,” Góngora said, referring to the recent discovery that $3.6 million has been stolen from a city account and wasn’t even noticed missing for six months.
“That’s a huge issue,” he said adding that former Commissioner Deede Weithorn had warned about oversight in the finance department. “Nobody wants to own up to the problem. We’re spending money to study how to tighten up when we know what we need are more people and more oversight.”
Weithorn, former Mayor Matti Bower and current Vice Mayor Kristen Rosen Gonzalez — who has got to be hungry for an ally — are going to host the kick-off event for Góngora’s campaign on March 29, he said.
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The former commissioner is running for the seat now occupied by Commissioner Joy Malakoff, a pocket vote for Mayor Levine who has said she will not seek relection because theres nothing there for her when he’s gone.
Two other candidates have filed paperwork indicating they will run. Adrian Gonzalez has raised almost $7,500 and Cindy Mattson, who hadn’t raised anything as of the last report available, through February.
Góngora definitely enters the race as the frontrunner due to 
his leadership and likely support from a number of community organizations that he has been involved with for a long time, from before being elected in 2009 until the present. Last year, he was elected president of the Miami Beach Bar Association.
“I am confident the voters will choose my proven leadership and trusted experience to move Miami Beach forward,” Góngora said in a statement.
“I look forward to an energetic and positive campaign, communicating with voters about my vision for our City’s future, improving our traffic and infrastructure, and bringing back residents into government decisions by listening to the people about what their city government must focus on to improve their quality of life.”
Why not run for mayor?
“My personal and professional commitments don’t allow me the increased time and expense to run for mayor again right now,” Góngora said.
“I also believe that once a new mayor is elected this November the de facto strong mayor position will also be a thing of the past and we will go back to a system where the mayor and commissioners have nearly equal authority with regard to governance as one more vote on the commission,” he said in a not so sideways stab at Levine’s style.
“I will be more effective as commissioner as the senior member of the commission with the most years of experience,” Góngora added.
“And Miami Beach needs my leadership now.”
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Michael Gongora had proven to be a most dedicated public servant. He has a deep understanding of Miami Beach and has his priorities straight in terms of the issues that are most important to residents. We are most fortunate to have such a high caliber candidate running for city commissioner.
This is great news. Michael knows and understands Miami Beach and his passion and enthusiasm will be great assets if he returns as Commissioner.
This is the best news I have heard of a long time! Michael loves the City of Miami Beach with unsurpassed enthusiasm which he demonstrates with ongoing dedication! I can’t wait for him to be on the commission once again.
Michael Gongora is running for Commissioner again and I urge everyone to get out and vote for him. Michael is a Miami native and well respected lawyer and civil activist in Miami. Most importantly, he understands Miami Beach, its history and its potential. He knows how to advance development that will benefit Miami Beach long term. He has excelled in all of his civic endeavors thus far, and has always had the support of the community, media, and the civil service. I hope you will participate in the elections at this critical time for Miami Beach, Florida, America and the world and support a man who is on the side of good. Thank you. #YesGongora
Excellent news this very smart lawyer and ex commissioner is coming back! He is well informed about Miami Beach, knows what is needed and how to get it done.
We should be so lucky.
So glad to read this! As a concerned Miami Beach resident I feel that new and experienced leadership is greatly needed to address our many community concerns- the crazy traffic, fixing our current infrastructure/ rising water and addressing crime and safety. Loss of revenues as large organizations have gone to Miami and Broward to host their events instead of us. Weekly tourist traffic is down. What we need is the most qualified candidate to hit the ground running- once awarded the position. Michael Gongora’ background and past experiences as a successful commissioner for 2 terms shows the relevant skill set to get started right away. Miami Beach needs his natural ability to speak with anyone (English and Spanish) on any level regardless of their status or income and help them solve a problem. Michael Gongora is the most logical choice.
Fantastic news! Miami Beach would be VERY fortunate to have Michael Gongora back on the dais.
This is good news for the citizens of Miami Beach. Michael is dedicated to solving the serious issues facing the beach community that have gone either unaddressed or which have been completely bungled by the current administration. His prior service on the Commission has proven he is an independent thinker that is not beholden to anyone, unlike many of the current lemming commissioners.
Michael is incredibly qualified and brings so much experience to the table. He’s smart, dedicated, focused and knows how to get things done. MB needs him to help the City get back to basics and tackle issues such as traffic, development, the environment. There is no one better for the job!
I couldn’t be happier to hear this! Michael loves the City of Miami Beach and its residents….we couldn’t ask for better leadership. His dedication, spirit, love and unsurpassed knowledge of MB is exactly what this city needs to get back on its feet and shine. Excited for this campaign and even more excited to see Michael on the dais!
Mark Samuelian would make a great commissioner. He lives on Miami Beach and he is intimately involved in local issues.
Wow, this is great news. Michael has always been a champion for the residents of Miami Beach!! He’s right about returning to basics and spending our tax dollars on properly maintaining our beautiful city! Instead of pie in the sky multimillion dollar boondoggles let’s continue to fix our streets, maintain our neighborhoods and fight rising tides!! I know he’ll help accomplish these goals, as he has for the many years that he represented our city in the past. Congratulations, go Michael!!
Not surprised he is running! There are still a lot of people who like him in Miami Beach.