Republicans Cruise To Victory In Mayoral, City Hall Races

West Miami Mayor Eric Diaz-Padron cruised to another four years in office Tuesday, fending off a challenge from former City Manager Yolanda Aguilar in a race that lacked the usual political fireworks.

With the city’s lone precinct reporting, Diaz-Padron pulled in 70.8% of the vote to secure re-election. He’ll head back to City Hall alongside Commissioners Gustavo Ceballos and Juan Blanes, as well as Commissioner-elect Victoria De la Torre, who each won their respective races for Seats 1, 2, and 4.

Ceballos defeated George Lavin with 74.6% of the vote, while Blanes beat Fermin Belleau with 71.4%. De la Torre topped Elsa Pelaez-Lopez by nearly 42 points, finishing with 70.8%.

Diaz-Padron, Ceballos, and Blanes each won full four-year terms. De la Torre, elected in a Special Election, will serve a two-year term.

“I am so thankful to my community for re-electing me and my entire team to lead the city,” Diaz-Padron told Florida Politics by text.

“Residents turned out in record-high numbers because they want to see our city keep its forward progress. With over 70% of voters sending us back to City Hall, we have a mandate to continue our work to transform this community into one of the best places to own a home in Florida. This is not the finish line, it’s the starting point for what come next.”

The 31-year-old lawyer and real estate broker, and son of former Mayor Carlos Diaz-Padron, first won the office in 2022 with 64% of the vote. He ran this cycle on what he called a record of cutting property taxes, boosting public safety and investing in infrastructure.

He has touted faster police response times, along with new parks, traffic-calming efforts, and neighborhood cleanups. Diaz-Padron also defended fee hikes approved during his tenure, arguing they were overdue and necessary to fix issues like underbilling.

“West Miami keeps improving because we’re focused on real results for our families, lowering taxes, investing in our community, and strengthening our financial reserves,” he said in a statement. “We’ve come a long way and the best is still ahead.”

Aguilar, 69, offered a starkly different pitch. A resident since 1971, she spent four decades in public service, including nearly 30 years as city manager before leaving the post in 2023, according to Florida Politics.

Now a government consultant, she leaned on her experience inside City Hall while calling for tighter spending, greater transparency and long-term fiscal planning.

She described Diaz-Padron as a “decent young man” in an interview with Political Cortadito, but argued the city has seen excessive spending and rising fees under his leadership. Aguilar warned those trends could threaten the city’s financial footing if left unchecked.

“My vision is rooted in restoring trust, transparency, and responsive leadership,” Aguilar said on her campaign website.

She said her priorities would include efficient city services, backing law enforcement, and pursuing outside funding for local improvements.

Campaign finance records show Diaz-Padron raised $41,450 and spent $33,000 through his campaign account as of April 2. He also brought in another $50,000 and spent roughly $32,000 through his political committee, Do Better.

He secured endorsements from the Florida Police Benevolent Association and Metro-Dade Firefighters Local 1403.

Aguilar raised more than $67,000 and spent about $46,500 as of early April. Her endorsements included former Mayor and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham, and the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police District 6.

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