Ryan Nicol
Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Daniella Levine Cava says she’s brought in another $200,000 in May, as she wrapped up her second month since jumping into the 2020 contest.
Levine Cava, who currently represents District 8 on the Miami-Dade County Commission, is one of three candidates officially in the race.
Former County Commissioner Juan Zapata and entrepreneur Monique Nicole Barley have also filed to run.
Former County Mayor Alex Penelas is also expected to enter the contest. He’s currently raising money through his political committee, Bold Vision. That committee reportedly brought in $400,000 in May, doubling Levine Cava’s total.
Levine Cava’s campaign says she has also collected more than 1,000 signatures from voters supporting her efforts to qualify.
“Accomplishing this goal with significant small number donations from neighbors, working families, and residents who are most affected by the decisions made in County Hall demonstrates loud and clear that the people want a new kind of leadership in Miami-Dade,” Levine Cava said in a statement.
“Residents from every corner of Miami-Dade are knocking on doors, collecting petitions, and sharing their enthusiasm for this campaign. When the citizens come together for a common cause, our collective voices cannot be ignored.
“I am confident that we will continue to make history and create a county government that is responsive to the needs of ALL citizens — we will elect a Mayor who cares.”
Levine Cava’s May haul adds on to the more than $830,000 that entered her coffers in April.
However, a large chunk of that April 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.
Still, Levine Cava has amassed more than $1 million so far. Current County Mayor Carlos Gimenez is term-limited, making the contest one of the most competitive local races of the 2020 cycle.
Levine Cava has served as a liberal voice on the Commission since she was elected in 2014. If successful in 2020, she would be the County’s first female Mayor.
