Miami’s Political Dynasties: 45 Years of Scandals, Arrests and Power Grabs—Still Running for Office Today
Miami’s political dynasties are making a push to maintain their grip on local government, with multiple family members appearing on the November ballot.
The Regalado family is trying to hold on to their 28-year-long political reign with Raquel Regalado forced into a runoff and her 78-year-old father vying for the Property Appraiser position. Both will appear on this November’s ballot.
Meanwhile, the Hardemon family, who have been vying for power for 28 years, had three members running in the August election, though only incumbent County Commissioner Keon Hardemon emerged victorious.
As for the Suarez family, whose political reign began 39 years ago, Francis Suarez's 2024 Republican presidential aspirations faltered. But whispers are circulating about his wife, Gloria Suarez, potentially entering the 2025 race for City of Miami mayor.
And the Gimenez family is trying to maintain a 20-year grip on power with incumbent Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez running for a third term . His sister-in-law Mari-Tere Rojas is the Board Chair of the Miami-Dade School Board, although she was not on the ballot this year.
Miami’s political landscape remains a battleground for these entrenched families, fighting to keep their hold on power. As the Miami Herald put it in an article from 2017, “Miami’s politics is beginning to look like HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” Families that have dominated the city for decades are still jockeying for the same offices as dynasties clash over the precious few positions of power.”
The Gimenez Family — 20 years seeking power
1 family member running for office in 2024
- Carlos Gimenez: Current Congressman; running for re-election on the November 2024 ballot.
- Mari Tere Rojas: Current School Board Chair; Sister-in-law of Carlos Gimenez,
- Tania Cruz Gimenez: Married to Carlos Gimenez’s son CJ Gimenez Jr. and operates a political consulting firm. They were hired by Sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero–Stutz– who is headed to a runoff on the November ballot.
The Regalado Family — 28 years seeking power
2 family members running for office in 2024
- Tomás P. Regalado: Running for election on the November 2024 ballot for Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser
- Raquel Regalado: is a current Miami-Dade County Commissioner who was forced in to a runoff during the August 2024 election. She will be on the November 2024 ballot with her father, Tomás P. Regalado.
- Tomás N. “Tommy” Regalado: Raquel’s older brother, Tommy, works for the Latin Builders Association, according to a listing on their website.
The Hardemon Family — 28 years seeking power
3 family members running for office in 2024
- Keon Hardemon: Won his re-election campaign for Miami-Dade County Commissioner on the August 2024 ballot.
- William “Billy” Hardemon: operates a political consulting firm with his wife, Barbara Hardemon.
- Roy Hardemon: Lost his August 2024 election to Florida State House
- Monique Barley Mayo: Lost her August 2024 election to Florida State House. She is the daughter of Roy Hardemon and cousin of Keon Hardemon.
The Carollo Family — 45 years seeking power
0 family members up for election in 2024
- Joe Carollo Current City of Miami Commissioner.
- Frank Carollo, Joe’s brother.
The Suarez Family — 39 years seeking power
1 family member running for office in 2024
- Xavier Suárez: retired
- Francis Suárez Xavier’s son and current City of Miami Mayor ran for, but then pulled out of the 2024 Republican Presidential primary.
The Diaz de la Portilla Family — 34 years seeking power
0 family members up for election in 2024
- Miguel Diaz de la Portilla now works in a law practice, which includes extensive lobbying, and is the lead lobbyist for the controversial “American Dream” Miami Mega-Mall.
- Renier Diaz de la Portilla practicing attorney
- Alex Diaz de la Portilla was suspended from the City of Miami Commission by the Governor and subsequently re-ran for his seat but was defeated in 2023 amidst his arrest for corruption and bribery charges.