‘The right person’: Richard Lara nets nod from former foe in Coral Gables Commission race

Coral Gables Commission candidate Richard Lara is heading into Tuesday’s runoff election with support from a former opponent.

Claudia Miro, who placed third behind Lara and candidate Tom Wells in the city’s General Election race for the panel’s Group 3 seat earlier this month, wants to see Lara win the contest.

She cited Lara’s objection to big pay raises that three of the City Commission’s five members gave themselves in 2023 and their vote against having an independent Inspector General as key to securing her endorsement.

Lara’s campaign announced Miro’s nod Tuesday.

“Richard Lara is the right person to help lead the Coral Gables Commission into the future,” Miro said in a statement.

“It’s time to turn the page on the last two years of unnecessary salary increases and decisions that ignored the will of the people — like denying residents the opportunity to vote on having an independent Inspector General in our city. Richard will bring back the focus on residents and real solutions that our city desperately needs. That is why I am asking all the people who honored me with their support to vote Richard this April 22.”

Lara, the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Spanish Broadcasting System, is also running with support from Mayor Vince Lago, who has repeatedly butted heads with Commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez, as well as ex-Commissioner Kirk Menendez, who unsuccessfully challenged Lago this cycle.

Lara took about 47% of the vote in the General Election contest to replace Menendez at City Hall, while Wells, a lawyer and the Vice Chair of the city’s Charter Review Committee, took 39%. Miro took the rest.

Since no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote to win outright, the two top vote-getters — Lara and Wells — must compete in a runoff.

Lara said in a statement that he is “incredibly honored” to have an endorsement from Miro, a fellow Republican whose government work includes stints at the Attorney General’s Office and with Miami’s Chief Operating Officer.

“Claudia ran a campaign rooted in integrity, transparency, and putting the residents of Coral Gables first,” he said. “Her endorsement means a great deal to me, to the voters who supported her, and to the many residents who believe it’s time for a new chapter of leadership in our city.”

Wells is a Democrat. Coral Gables’ elections are technically nonpartisan.

Early voting for the runoff runs April 19-20.