Elections in City of Doral: Christi Fraga was reelected as Mayor

DORAL, FL – Christi Fraga has been reelected Mayor of Doral in the elections held Tuesday, Nov. 5, with 79.35 % of the votes (20,246), over Roxanna Garay who obtained 20.65 % (5,270).

The City Council will be completed with Rafael Pineyro on Seat 1, who also got reelected with a total of 14,900 votes (60.51 %), whereas Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich obtained 9,723 votes (39.49%).

“It’s really incredible and I am speechless. I think the commitment and work done in these last two years and, actually beyond that, has been seen and appreciated and I’m deeply grateful for that,” Christi Fraga said to Doral Family Journal while she was meeting with residents to celebrate her victory.

“But the work continues because Rafael and I can’t do everything alone, we need people like Nicole that is committed, knows our city and has worked with us in order to fix the things that need to be fixed, improve our city and really lead residents forward. I am committed with transparency and with providing all the resources they need to make Doral the best city to live, play, learn and conduct businesses. Rafael and I will continue to serve the people of Doral.”

“I am very satisfied with the results. The residents of Doral spoke clearly, and it was all because we have restored transparency, and things have been done with the residents in mind. I always said all the attacks and destabilization the city has been experiencing was going to get a response from the community and that’s exactly what happened today, Nov. 5,” Rafael Pineyro said about the results to Doral Family Journal via phone. 

“I am grateful to God, the volunteers, my family and the residents of Doral that have come together to speak up. Moving forward, we will continue to work for them.”

Seat 3 will be contested in a runoff election as there was no winners. Nicole Reinoso obtained 10,340 votes (44.68%), while Juan Carlos Esquivel received 8,249 votes (35.64%), and Irina Vilarino, 4,554 votes (19.68 %). 

So far, the City Council will be integrated by the two reelected candidates and councilmembers Maureen Porras and Digna Cabral, both elected by Doral voters in 2022, while the fifth council member will be decided on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

It should be noted that surprisingly this year a breaking record of eligible voters in Doral casted their ballots by mail or approaching the polls during the early voting period, just as it happened at the national level, which goes to show the commitment of citizens with democracy. 

Currently, the City of Doral has more than 34,000 registered voters.

City of Doral amendments: Approved 8 out of 10 proposed 

The amendments approved were: 

• Revised Process for Creating Committees and Appointment of Members #273 (54.31%)

What does it mean? The Council, not just the mayor, can create and organize committees and appoint members.

• Council Authorization for Mayor in Government Dealings #275 (61.52%)

What does it mean? The mayor cannot take official positions or actions when dealing with other government entities without Council approval.

• Break in Service Requirement for Mayor Seeking Council Position #276 (64.29%)

What does it mean? The mayor must wait four years after serving two consecutive terms before running for a Councilmember position. 

• Mayor and Councilmember Compensation #279 (53.38%)

What does it mean? The mayor’s salary will be capped at $77,587, and Councilmembers’ salaries will rise 60% at once to $54,310.90.

• Revised Process for Appointment of City Manager #281 (68.66%)

What does it mean? Changes the process to appoint the City Manager that now will be recommended by a search committee and not by the mayor. 

• Revised Appointment Process for City Boards #283 (61.94%)

What does it mean? City boards will have five members, with each member appointed by the Councilmembers individually.

• Elimination of Run-off Elections #285 (51.30%)

What does it mean? Run-off elections will be eliminated and the candidate with the most votes will win.

• Replace Office of Charter Enforcement with Office of Inspector General #288 (77.86%)

What does it mean? The Office of Charter Enforcement will be replaced with an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee municipal investigations and prevent inefficiencies, fraud, and abuse.