Miami Young Republicans back ‘problem-solver’ Jose Regalado for Miami City Commission

Jose Regalado continues to add endorsements for his bid to succeed the late Manolo Reyes on the Miami City Commission.

HIs latest nod is from the Miami Young Republicans.

The group cited Regalado’s experience in city government and track record of leading emergency response initiatives and improving building safety standards as key to securing its support.

“Jose Regalado represents the steady, solutions-focused leadership the City of Miami needs,” Miami Young Republicans President Tony Figueroa said in a statement.

“He’s not just a public servant; he’s a neighbor, a problem-solver, and someone who has consistently put the people of District 4 first. Our club is proud to support his vision for a safer, more resilient, and more accountable Miami.”

The Friday endorsement joins others from the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Miami’s Community News, Miami Association of Firefighters Local 587 and Chacha Reyes, the widow of Manolo Reyes, whose death last month created a vacancy of the five-member Miami Commission.

Regalado’s name carries weight in the “Magic City.” His father, Tomás Regalado, is a former Miami Mayor and today serves as Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. His sister, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, is a former School Board member.

His brother, Tomás “Tommy” Regalado ran unsuccessfully against Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, a past city Mayor and rumored future mayoral candidate who prefers Jose Regalado’s opponent, Ralph Rosado.

Jose Regalado, 40, most recently worked for nearly eight years in Miami’s Building Department, where he rose to the position of Assistant Director. He resigned from the job last month to run for the City Commission’s District 4 seat.

He also worked as Chief Policy Adviser to Reyes, whom he calls his mentor, and later served as an assistant to the City Manager leading COVID response efforts.

Rosado, 52, is the President of urban planning and neighborhood revitalization services company Rosado & Associates and a past Village Manager for North Bay Village. He ran against Reyes in 2017.

His backers include the Miami Fraternal Order of Police and AFSCME Local 1907.

Both candidates are Republican, though the City Commission is a technically nonpartisan body.

The Special Election for District 4 is on June 3. The winner will serve the remainder of Reyes’ term through 2027.