RICHARD LARA VICTORIOUS IN CORAL GABLES RUNOFF ELECTION, BOLSTERING MAYOR LAGO'S INFLUENCE ON CITY COMMISSION

In a much-anticipated runoff election, Coral Gables residents decisively chose Richard Lara over Thomas O. Wells for the City Commission's Group 3 seat. The tightly contested race, which required a runoff after neither candidate could secure a majority in the general election, ended with Lara garnering over 55% of the vote. This victory is seen to also strengthen Mayor Vince Lago's position on the Commission after he had faced opposition on previous votes, as reported by the Miami Herald.

Lara's ascent to the Commission represents more than just a win for his campaign; it signifies a potential shift in the city's governance. Backed by Mayor Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, Lara was seen as crucial in returning a balance to the Commission that has, for the last couple of years, been marred by split votes and infighting. His win was widely seen to give back Mayor Lago a foothold in Commission dealings, as he had been on the losing end of multiple 3-2 votes, the Miami Herald detailed.

The City Commission has contended with a number of contentious issues, with the future of Coral Gables hanging in the balance. Lara and Wells, both active in community circles, proposed different visions to handle the city's challenges. While Lara promised to bring "transparency, integrity, accountability, and professionalism" to City Hall, Wells expressed his desire to address the lack of civility in government and to oppose tax cuts that would excessively benefit non-resident property owners, according to Florida Politics.

Even though the city's elections are nonpartisan, it's noteworthy that Lara is a registered Republican while Wells is a Democrat. Lara managed to amass a far larger campaign fund, nearly hitting the $272,000 mark, with support from influential figures such as Lago and other former Commissioners, as Florida Politics reports. Conversely, Wells self-financed his campaign and reportedly raised a fraction of Lara's war chest, only around $19,500.




https://hoodline.com/2025/04/richard-lara-victorious-in-coral-gables-runoff-election-bolstering-mayor-lago-s-influence-on-city-commission/