Coral Gables voters return Raul Valdes-Fauli, send two to runoff

Coral Gables voters return Raul Valdes-Fauli, send two to runoff
  • Sumo

In another close race mirroring the 2017 contest, Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli was barely able to hold on to his seat against former Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick.

Now, we can’t say Valdes-Fauli won by a scant 187 votes anymore. Now, it’s a flimsy 123!

Not really a mandate, is it? The margin is even narrower than it was two years ago, when Valdes-Fauli won his first term. It could narrow further as absentee ballots that come in Tuesday and provisional ballots are counted. Who knows? It may get close enough to trigger an automatic recount. Or go the other way.

In the sole commission race — Commissioner Mike Mena was re-elected without opposition — there will be a runoff, as expected, after Ralph Cabrera got almost 40% of the vote and the next closest candidate got 31%. The second round is on April 24.

But this was the second round for Slesnick and Valdes-Fauli, and the incumbent showed a lead early on.  When it was just absentee ballots, the first to be counted, Valdes-Fauli was leading 53% to 47% with a 236-vote advantage.

But, while not enough, Slesnick’s people turned out stronger on Election Day and the margin narrowed to 50.7% to 49.3% by the time the precincts had reported just after 8 p.m.

Ouch for Slesnick who lost by only a few dozen votes — again! It must be heartbreaking to work so hard and come so close.

Read related: Ralph Cabrera set to enter runoff with campaign cash advantage

A total of 8,572 of the city’s 33,194 registered voters cast ballots, almost a 26% turnout.

Cabrera had the win from the get-go, with a substantial lead of nearly 40% when absentee ballots were counted. The second highest AB getter was Jorge Fors, Jr., who got 31%. Former interim city manager Carmen Olazabal got 26% and Jackson “Rip” Holmes got just over 3%.

That means voters will have to go out again in two weeks to choose between Cabrera and Fors.

11 Responses to "Coral Gables voters return Raul Valdes-Fauli, send two to runoff"

  1. Jack Thompson ,
    ” Idiotic golf cart patrols that cost $1 million and fight NO crime ” lol that was good because my experience has been the same . I’m in a small ” no frills” gated community where we have golf cart patrols.

    We have had vehicles stolen right from driveways . The ” Rover” does patrol but its easy enough for a car thief to wait till the patrol drives by and some patrols are texting non stop not truly paying attention .

  2. It was a terrible mistake for Jeannett to run on only one issue—over development—when she had others as well:

    1. Prostitution in North Gables
    2. $3.5 million spy camera system that has apprehended NOBODY and has tied Gables up in court
    3. Plastic bag ban that INCREASES Gables pollution
    4. Idiotic golf cart patrols that cost $1 million and fight NO crime
    5. Entire Commission endorsing the incumbent mayor, corruptly turning it into an insiders club

    I could go on. Politicians who run on one issue lose.

  3. Riviera Neighborhood Association aka Gables United, Loses again. They are the kiss of death to any candidate.

  4. Raul Valdes Fauli’s campaign was funded by developers and lobbyists, almost all of whom live outside Coral Gables. Given how much money they funneled into buying ads and influence to get him relected it is telling he only squeaked out a tiny victory.

  5. Ladra, again editorializing her journalist coverage of what should be a straight story states “Now, we can’t say Valdes-Fauli won by a scant 187 votes anymore. Now, it’s a flimsy 123!”

    I see it as “Now, we can’t say Slesnick lost won by a scant 187 votes anymore. Now, it’s a flimsy 123!” But lost never the less.

    A win by one vote is all that we needed and we got an extra 122. It was a good day for the Raul Valdes Fauli band wagon.

    Congratulations to Raul. I am very proud to have contributed in a small way to your victory.

  6. Thank you for your excellent coverage and for your love for, and dedication to, Coral Gables.

    I will be filing as a 2021 candidate, probably in the next two weeks, this time hoping to do a REAL, traditional, campaign, for the first time 1) knocking on up to 4,000 doors to learn from voters what they would like from their City government, and 2) soliciting contributions.

    It is my expectation our voters want smart growth, not rampant growth, genuine traffic solutions, which I have, City ID’s to help immigrants, lower taxes, and misting machines, among many other things people have been mentioning to me. (Better respect and sensitivity from planning and zoning, and parking,…)

    I have alot to learn from our TREMENDOUS citizens, and I am dedicated to learning it.

    Again, THANK YOU ONE AND ALL for making Coral Gables easily the best City in our County.

    Sincerely,

    Jackson Rip Holmes

  7. Glad to hear Slesnick lost. US1 and Miracle Mile would benefit from walkable development that would benefit the citizens of Gables. US1 isn’t exactly the Biltmore, this NIMBY nonsense over a few buildings that would spur economic growth is silly and Slesnick earned this defeat for overreacting.

  8. Team “same names” support Ralph Cabrera!

    Bank on it!

    Do we expect turnout to clear 10%? I think this is the first time the Gables has a run off under the new charter.

  9. Keep in mind actual registered voters is a drop in the ocean as far as how many in Miami who are USA citizens do not even bother to register .

    Even then only 26 % of registered voters bothered to vote .

    The political apathy in Miami is horrifying , this is not going to change .

    No wonder Miami is a self serving and corrupt politicos dream city .

  10. The runoff is a RIDICULOUS waste of time and taxpayer $$$. Turnout was less than 26%; imagine what’s it’s going to be in two weeks. It’s time these politicos get over themselves … win or lose on Election Day and move on!

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