As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the U.S. political candidates of every level – municipal, state, federal, have had to revert to using alternative approaches to campaign for office due to the social-distancing mandates and stay-at-home orders.
In Miami-Dade County, Florida, the three leading candidates for county mayor, Commissioners Daniela Levine Cava, Esteban Bovo, and former Mayor Alex Penelas, have all been relegated to using social media as the only form of campaigning.
All three have been keeping their constituents apprised of the spreading virus and federal, state, and local updates by medical and administrative officials, including the latest requirement that all county residents wear protective masks in public.
Commissioner Cava, who advocated for mandatory face coverings, has been busy opining on Twitter about just about everything from COVID-19 updates, in-house virus testing for seniors, the Everglades National Park, IRS stimulus check for non-filers, and even a call to adopt a pet with her cat Michelle.
On April 9th, Cava also retweeted an opinion story from the New York Times that focused on the presumed overall inequality and specific wealth inequality that has eroded the American dream.
From @nytimes: The #coronavirus crisis has exposed "the incomplete nature of the American project" – the gap between the country we aspire to be, where all people have equal opportunity to thrive, and the reality of life for millions of Americans. https://t.co/YnbIS1Od38
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) April 9, 2020
Out of crisis also comes the opportunity, with political will and leadership, to begin building a more just, resilient stronger society.
What do you envision as a better future for the America that emerges from this pandemic?
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) April 9, 2020
“Out of crisis also comes the opportunity, with political will and leadership, to begin building a more just, resilient stronger society,” tweeted
Mayor Penelas appears to be all-hands-on-deck in regards to the Coronavirus outbreak. The bilingual Mayor Penelas has been pushing the updates, the importance of participating in the 2020 Census, praising first responders and outlining the importance of family during the Easter season.
https://twitter.com/penelasformayor/status/1248297800200327170
Commissioner Estevan Bovo has also been effectively using his ability to communicate in both Spanish and English. Commissioner Bovo is checking off all the boxes when it comes to the spread of the Coronavirus, but of the three candidates, it appears as if he was the only one to risk possible exposure to the virus by going door-to-door with the Hialeah House Authority to deliver much-needed groceries to seniors.
Thank you to Hialeah Housing Authority for helping us distribute food to seniors today. In these troubling times, we’ve come together - social distancing & all - to help our neighbors. #MDCStrong ? pic.twitter.com/eSsV4H7ip9
— Esteban Bovo (@EstebanBovoJr) April 9, 2020
There is no clear frontrunner in this race, but Penalas is the only one to have eclipsed the $1 million mark as far money raise raised for their respective mayoral campaigns.
