Jesse Scheckner
Democrat Marisol Zenteno’s bid for Miami-Dade Property Appraiser just landed endorsements from a longtime county leader and the political arm of the nation’s largest local Realtor association.
Zenteno’s campaign announced nods from Xavier Suarez, a former Miami Mayor and Miami-Dade Commissioner, and Miami Realtors PAC, the political committee of the Miami Association of Realtors.
“The position of Property Appraiser, in a county as large as ours, requires at the very minimum a substantive knowledge of the parameters that go into appraising property for tax purposes. Ms. Zenteno is thoroughly versed in that task,” Suarez said in a statement.
“For over two decades, she appraised properties for private-sector companies. Then she crowned that experience with 10 years in the Property Appraiser’s Office, where she became familiar with the multi-dimensional approach needed to value real estate.”
Suarez called Zenteno “a refreshingly modest mother and scholar,” citing her current work as an adjunct Florida International University professor.
A statement from the Miami Realtors PAC, meanwhile, said the group chose to support Zenteno over her Republican candidate, former Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, due to “several factors including campaign organization, fundraising, messaging, community involvement, knowledge of real estate issues, and public support along with her deep understanding of real estate and property appraisal issues.”
The new endorsements join others from the Miami-Dade Democratic Party; Ruth’s List Florida; South Florida AFL-CIO; United Teachers of Dade; AFSCME Florida; SPLC Action Fund; Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations; Hollywood Democratic Rep. Marie Woodson; North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme; Opa-locka Mayor John Taylor; North Miami Council member Scott Galvin; Doral Council member Digna Cabral; and Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones, who chairs the county’s Democratic Executive Committee.
Zenteno said in a statement that she is “humbled and grateful” to add Suarez and Miami Realtors PAC to her list of supporters.
“These endorsements,” she said, “reflect the growing support for my message of professionalism and experience. I believe this positive momentum will lead us to victory on Nov. 5.”
A press note from her campaign said internal polling “indicates a growing lead” for her as Election Day approaches.
Zenteno and Regalado are competing to replace Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia, who is leaving the job after 16 years. Zenteno unsuccessfully challenged Garcia in 2020.
