Ryan Nicol
Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, who has declared her candidacy in the 2020 race for county Mayor, says she’s added more than $830,000 in contributions in the month of April.
However, a large chunk of that money came from from a political committee which backed Levine Cava well before the beginning of her mayoral run.
Records submitted by Changing Florida’s Future PC show on April 5, it transferred $405,000 to Levine Cava’s mayoral committee, Our Democracy PC. That $405,000 was raised by Changing Florida’s Future prior to Levine Cava announced her run for Mayor.
Levine Cava currently represents District 8 on the County Commission, a position she’s held since 2014.
“The grassroots enthusiasm and support that our campaign has received in just the first month is overwhelming — we surpassed our goals and shattered expectations,” Levine Cava said in a statement on her April fundraising numbers.
“All across this county, we are witnessing courageous Miami-Dade residents coming together seeking real sustainable change through our trailblazing campaign. With that continued support, I expect we will break more records and exceed expectations. In the end, what we all need is a Mayor who cares and I am prepared to be that Mayor.”
Levine Cava announced her run on April 2. If elected, she would be the county’s first female Mayor.
“I will never stop fighting for equality and opportunity regardless of who you are, where you come from, who you love or how you identify,” Levine Cava said during her announcement in April. “Let’s make history.”
Incumbent Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is term-limited, sparking speculation the 2020 race could be jam-packed.
So far, only Levine Cava and former Commissioner Juan Zapata have declared their candidacies. The deadline to file for in the mayoral race is June 2, 2020.
Already, a pair of candidates have said they’ll pursue Levine Cava’s District 8 seat. Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois announced his run in mid-April. He was followed by attorney Danielle Cohen Higgins on May 1.
