The City of Miami is preparing for a pivotal special election on June 3, 2025, to fill the vacant District 4 commission seat following the passing of longtime Commissioner Manolo Reyes. District 4 covers key neighborhoods such as Coral Gate, Shenandoah, and Flagami—areas at the heart of Miami’s diverse and historic community fabric. The decision to hold a special election, rather than appoint a successor, was made to ensure residents could directly choose who will represent them through 2027.
Among the leading candidates is Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, a longtime Coral Gate resident, urban planner, and former city manager of North Bay Village. Rosado is no stranger to District 4 elections—he previously ran for the seat in 2017 and earned nearly 40% of the vote, demonstrating strong community support. Over the years, Rosado has built a reputation for thoughtful, service-oriented leadership.
Commissioner Manolo Reyes himself recognized Rosado’s talents, appointing him to key city oversight boards, including the influential Citizens' Oversight Board for the Miami Forever Bond program. His deep roots in the district and public service track record position him as a serious contender in this special election.
Joining Rosado in the race is former City of Miami Assistant Building Director Jose Regalado, son of Property Appraiser Tomas Regalado and brother of County Commissioner Raquel Regalado. While Regalado has the backing of the Regalado family, Rosado seems to be banking on his prior electoral experience as well as his senior administrative experience to persuade voters to choose him to fill the vacancy.
Early voting is scheduled for May 30 through June 1, with the election itself on Tuesday, June 3. While the special election will cost the city approximately $380,000, city officials emphasized that allowing voters to choose their next commissioner is a necessary investment in democratic governance. Residents of District 4 are encouraged to participate and help decide the direction of leadership for their neighborhoods during this important transition.
