Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier celebrated after a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of mayoral candidate Emilio T. Gonzalez in his lawsuit against the City of Miami after it tried to move the 2025 mayoral election back to November 2026. The ruling also leaves both City Commissioner elections in place.
"Thrilled that the Court agreed with our legal opinion on the City of Miami’s unconstitutional attempt at moving back an election without voter approval," Uthmeier said.
The legal ruling ends an unprecedented saga of an election moved without a public vote. Under city rules, voter approval is required for switching election dates.
In June, Uthmeier warned Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and City Commissioners not to mess with the election date.
"Home to thousands of patriotic Cuban Americans who know better than most about regimes that cavalierly delay elections and prolong their terms in power, the City of Miami owes to its citizens what the law requires," Uthmeier said at the time.
However, City Commissioners disregarded the attorney general's threat and voted 3-2 to move the election. Commissioners Christine King, Ralph Rosado, and Damian Pardo voted in favor, while Joe Carollo and Miguel Gabela voted against at the time.
The unprecedented move prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to ponder suspending the favored commissioners over their disobedience. Ironically, the governor originally dismissed the idea of the fiasco at a press conference in May.
DeSantis called the ruling a victory for "law common sense" after today's announcement.
"Today, a judge has put the kibosh on the scheme," DeSantis said. "Great to see the law and common sense prevail."
Gonzalez, who's running to succeed Mayor Francis Saurez, also cheered the judge's ruling after the decision.
“This is a victory for every voter in Miami,” Gonzalez said following the decision. “The people have the right to choose their leaders — not politicians behind closed doors.”
