Shlomo Danzinger rescinds endorsement of Miami-Dade Mayor after launching bid to unseat her

Shlomo Danzinger's topped all other Surfside candidates in fundraising this cycle. Image via AP.

Ex-Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger wants to make clear where he stands on Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

He endorsed her back in September along with 25 other municipal Mayors. But now that he’s running to supplant her — and in light of problems he has with her leadership, including her handling of the 2021 Champlain Towers South condo collapse — he’s rescinding that nod.

“It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of my decision to withdraw my endorsement for your 2024 re-election campaign,” Danzinger said in a letter to Levine Cava.

“Recent events and actions have left me profoundly disappointed in your leadership, and I am unable to continue supporting your candidacy.”

Danzinger said that in his two years as Surfside Mayor, he “witnessed a concerning pattern” of Levine Cava being unwilling to engage with local and state leaders to address issues in the community.

He offered several examples. One was her handling of the Surfside condo collapse, which he said was wrought with misinformation and “attempts to shift blame onto” the town over right-of-way issues relating to a memorial.

Danzinger accused Levine Cava of not taking “a resolute and unequivocal stance against anti-Semitism” following the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel. Levine Cava is the first Jewish person and the first woman to serve as Miami-Dade Mayor. Danzinger was Surfside’s first Orthodox Jewish Mayor.

Both joined several other local Mayors and members of the Anti-Defamation League late last year in condemning a staggering rise in hate acts against South Florida’s Jewish community.

She did so again in February alongside Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and has also made statements on social media calling attention to the problem and urging support for Israel.

Early on the day that the attack occurred, as the death toll was estimated to be just 40 Israeli citizens — the number is now estimated to be 1,200 — Levine Cava said she was “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by the news.

Other gripes that Danzinger listed included his opposition to a proposed $2.5 billion bond program Levine Cava’s administration is proposing, which he says lacks “clear evidence of benefit to the residents,” and an “ongoing crisis of homelessness” in the county.

“I kindly request that you remove my name and any associated endorsements, such as photographs, from your campaign materials, including your website and marketing materials,” he wrote.

“While I wish you luck in the upcoming election, I must inform you that I have made the decision to run for the position of Miami-Dade County Mayor. It is my sincere belief that we need a mayor who will prioritize the safety and prosperity of all residents, and I am committed to being that leader. I look forward to engaging with the community and addressing the pressing issues facing our county.”

Asked to comment on Danzinger’s letter, Levine Cava’s campaign issued the same statement it shared Tuesday after news broke of his candidacy. Florida Politics requested a response specific to Danzinger’s new comments, but the campaign declined.

“The voters of Surfside spoke clearly earlier this year and there is no doubt Miami-Dade voters will join them in sending the same message regarding our new opponent,” spokesperson Claire VanSusteren said in a statement.

“Mayor Levine Cava enjoys broad, bipartisan support from every corner of the county, including 75% of city Mayors, an overwhelming number of Vice Mayors and earned he full endorsement from our police, firefighters, first responders, teachers, doctors and nurses, because they know she leads with vision, integrity and a promise to continue to deliver results.”

Danzinger, who lost his first re-election bid by 102 votes last month, is the fourth Republican to challenge Levine Cava in the technically nonpartisan race for Mayor. Other GOP candidates include Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, social media influencer Alex Otaola and actor Carlos Garín, who has also run unsuccessfully for Congress and the Miami-Dade Commission.

Levine Cava also faces challenges from fellow Democrat Miguel “el Skipper” Quintero, who is suing the county over code violations at his home-based business, and no-party candidate Eddy Rojas.

Provided they qualify, all seven current candidates will be on the Aug. 23 Primary Election ballot. If no one secures more than 50% of the vote, the two with the largest vote shares will square off in the Nov. 5 General Election.