Jesse Scheckner
After two decades living in Miami Beach and serving on several of its advisory boards, real estate investor Brian Ehrlich is mounting a bid for the City Commission’s Group 1 seat.
He’s running, he said, because he loves Miami Beach and believes it can be better, safer and more prosperous.
“I’m committed to a city that’s affordable, inclusive, and culturally vibrant — where growth benefits residents,” he said in a statement.
“That means holding City Hall accountable, investing in our infrastructure, and putting the community first in every decision we make. This is about shaping a future with vision, with pride, and with real results — block by block.”
Ehrlich, 44, moved to Miami Beach after earning a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. He runs a company today called Paradigm that holds local hospitality interests.
His community involvements include service on the city’s Historic Preservation, Adjustment, Cultural Arts and Capital Improvement Project Oversight boards, and as Chair of the Bass Museum of Art’s Strategic Planning Committee.
Last year, he penned a Miami Herald op-ed opposing a since-passed Florida measure called the Resiliency and Safe Structures Act that eased the demolition and replacement of buildings with local historic relevance, many of which are in Miami Beach.
Ehrlich filed to run April 9. If elected, he vows to push for a citywide master plan that supports walkable neighborhoods and well-maintained public spaces, enhance transparency in public spending through independent audits, and a “responsible growth” policy that benefits residents while addressing resiliency and traffic issues.
“I’m running for City Commission because I love Miami Beach and believe it can be even better — for longtime residents, for the next generation, and for everyone who wants to live in a place that’s beautiful, safe, and thriving,” he said.
Ehrlich is the fourth candidate to enter the race for the Group 1 seat now held by Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who reaches term limits this year. Others running include Miami Design Preservation League Executive Director Daniel Ciraldo, lawyer and media personality Monroe Mann and former Miami Beach Black Affairs Committee member Luidgi Mary.
Ciraldo and Ehlich are Democrats. Mann and Mary are Republicans.
Group 2 Commissioner Laura Dominguez is currently running for re-election unopposed. No-party candidate Victor Rosario is the only candidate listed as running for no-party Mayor Steven Meiner’s job.
The Miami Beach Commission is a technically nonpartisan body, as are its elections.
The Miami Beach General Election is on Nov. 5.
