Miami Beach FL - March 12, 2009 --- Michael Gongora announced his candidacy for election to the Miami Beach Commission Group 2. Commission Group 2 will become vacant due to Commissioner Saul Gross’ departure due to term limits. The election takes place November 3, 2009.

Gongora stated in his press release that he is “confident the voters will choose [his] experience and qualifications because it allows [him] to serve them with effectiveness and integrity”.

Michael Gongora is no stranger to controversy. It has followed him throughout his political career, which began in 2006. He achieved his goal of becoming Miami Beach’s first openly gay Commissioner by defeating Deede Weithorn (who was subsequently elected to the current commission during last fall’s election). During the 2006 campaign, Miami Beach voters received an anonymous mailer that accused Gongora of being a “liberal homosexual in the style of Mark Foley.” Controversy continued when Gongora and his law firm sought an opinion from the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics about whether the firm had violated an ethics law when one of its attorneys represented a homeowners’ association before the design review board. The City Commission has since closed the legal loophole associated with the case. The controversy prompted Ed Tobin to enter the 2008 general election race against Gongora, a four-year term that Tobin won by a mere 33 votes. During the political fight, Tobin raised questions about ethics regarding lobbying practices and dug up Gongora’s driving record, which included two arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. Gongora’s defense was that the infractions were a culmination of more than 20 years of driving and they occurred very early in life and were not relevant to the campaign for the Commission seat.

That same election was marred in a controversy of its own. That October, a flyer was mailed to residents of Miami Beach depicting three commission candidates as a Barbie doll, the Tele-tubby Tinky-Winky, and Dora the Explorer. The general assumption was that the characters were meant to represent blond-haired Linda Grosz, openly gay Frank Kruszewski and Hispanic Elsa Urquiza. The flyer sparked outrage and prompted political organization such as SAVE Dade and candidates themselves to condemn the flyer. Others (Deede Weithorn, William Smatt and Jo Asmundsson) denied any involvement in the mailing. The originator of the bigoted flyer was never identified.

Michael Gongora, after losing his commission bid, has remained active in serving the Miami Beach community with his participation as President of the Miami Beach Bar Association and Chairman of the Board of ECOMB (Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach).

Gongora is enthusiastic about returning to the Miami Beach Commission and stated in his press release, “I look forward to an energetic and positive campaign, communicating with voters about my vision for our city’s future, improving our city’s infrastructure, and listening to the people about what their city government must focus on to improve their quality of life.”

This does beg the question, “Will Gongora’s bid for a Commission seat be marred in more controversy and dirty politics”? This is Miami Beach and politics here are rarely simple and sweet.