By Dessalines Ferdinand,
The recent Miramar Commission Seat 4 election ended in a decisive defeat for Haitian-American candidate Kertz Conze, who secured only 18.24% of the vote (1,351). In a race where 7,405 votes were cast, Conze lagged significantly behind the two frontrunners—Carson “Eddy” Edwards, who dominated with 41.46% (3,070 votes), and Kerri-Ann Nesbeth, who followed with 33.23% (2,461 votes). Several factors contributed to Conze’s disappointing result, from voter turnout issues to Haitian Americans’ unique demographics and political engagement in Miramar.
Low Voter Turnout and Election Timing
One of the biggest challenges for Conze and for candidates in general was low voter turnout. With a population of 140,592, Miramar has a diverse electorate. Approximately 9.87% of these residents, or about 13,869 individuals, are of Haitian ancestry, of whom 4,980 might be eligible to vote. However, despite these numbers, Haitian-American voter participation was minimal, reflecting a broader trend of disengagement in local elections.
Unlike general elections that attract national attention and high turnout, municipal elections in Miramar are held at a time that lacks the energy and urgency of presidential or congressional races. Without major political narratives dominating the news cycle, there was little motivation for many voters to head to the polls.
As of January 31, 2025, Broward County, Florida, recorded 1,243,000 active registered voters. While specific voter registration data for Miramar is limited, estimates indicate that approximately 83,000 residents are registered as active voters. Of the 83,452 registered voters, 35,481 (42%) identify as Black, reflecting the city’s diverse electorate.
Within this demographic, Jamaicans account for 15% (12,517) and Haitians 6% (4,980) of the Black voter base. These figures underscore the significant challenge faced by Kertz Conze in his bid for the Miramar Commission Seat 4. Winning with only Haitian-American support would have been difficult, so building a broader coalition and increasing voter turnout were key to success.
Was Maxo Sinal the Right Choice as Kertz Conze’s Campaign Manager?
One decision under scrutiny is the appointment of Maxo Sinal as Conze’s campaign manager. Sinal previously managed the 2019 re-election campaign of incumbent First Haitian-American Commissioner Darline Bernot Riggs, who lost her seat to Alexandra Davis. Notably, her former campaign strategist, Mc-Kinley Lauriston, was unavailable due to his own mayoral run in North Miami, leading to Sinal’s involvement.
Given this history, some community members question the wisdom of selecting Sinal to lead Conze’s campaign. They argue that his previous inability to secure a win for Riggs, as an incumbent, should have been a cautionary indicator. This decision, among other factors, may have contributed to Conze’s challenges in galvanizing sufficient support within Miramar’s diverse electorate.
As the Haitian-American community reflects on this electoral outcome, the importance of strategic campaign management and broader voter engagement becomes increasingly evident.
Political Apathy Among Haitian-American Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Another significant factor working against Conze was the political behavior of Haitian-Americans in Miramar. Unlike cities like North Miami and North Miami Beach, where Haitian-Americans are more politically active and have an established presence in city government, Miramar’s Haitian community is composed mostly of professionals and entrepreneurs who may not prioritize city politics.
Many Haitian-American residents are focused on their businesses or professional careers and do not engage deeply in municipal elections. Without strong political mobilization efforts, such as community meetings, voter outreach, and civic engagement programs, Haitian-American candidates like Conze face an uphill battle in securing enough votes.
Limited Influence of Haitian Media in Miramar
Another challenge for Conze was the relative lack of influence of Haitian radio stations in Miramar. A good campaign strategy must be a sum of all types of communication mediums. Every medium counts, from newspapers, radio, social media, flyers, and other means. In Haitian-dominated cities like North Miami and North Miami Beach, Haitian radio plays a crucial role in shaping political narratives and mobilizing voters. However, in Miramar, Haitian radio broadcasters have a weaker presence, making it harder for Haitian candidates to build momentum and get their message across to the community.
By contrast, Jamaican-Americans, the city’s largest Caribbean group, have a stronger media presence and political organization. With 18,156 Jamaican residents and an estimated 12,517 eligible Jamaican-American voters, this demographic played a crucial role in the election. The frontrunner, Carson “Eddy” Edwards, who won with over 41% of the vote, likely benefited from stronger engagement and support from Jamaican voters.
A Fractured Haitian Vote and Stronger Opponents
The Haitian vote in Miramar remained fragmented, making it challenging for Kertz Conze to consolidate enough support for a competitive bid. In contrast, his opponents executed well-organized, community-driven campaigns that effectively mobilized their voter bases.
Jamaican-American candidate Carson “Eddy” Edwards, the top vote-getter, likely secured a significant share of the Jamaican electorate, amassing 3,070 votes. Kerri-Ann Nesbeth, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, finished second with 33.23% (2,461 votes), further underscoring the strength of the Jamaican voter bloc.
Assuming the majority of their supporters were Jamaican Americans, the combined 5,531 votes secured by Edwards and Nesbeth underscore the dominance of the Jamaican electorate in this race. In stark contrast, Kertz Conze—who likely depended on Haitian-American support—secured only 1,351 votes out of an estimated 4,980 eligible Haitian-American voters, a significant gap that made his path to victory virtually impossible.
This outcome raises questions about the campaign strategy behind Haitian-American candidates in Miramar, particularly given the presence of political mastermind Mc-Kinley Lauriston, as campaign manager, who played a pivotal role in the election of Darline Riggs, the city’s first and only Haitian-American commissioner, in 2015. Lauriston, known for his deep understanding of Miramar’s political dynamics, may hold the key to what it takes for a Haitian candidate to succeed in the city’s elections. His strategic approach in coalition-building, voter engagement, and campaign structuring was instrumental in Riggs’ victory—a playbook that seems absent in Conze’s campaign.
Had Conze’s campaign tapped into Lauriston’s insider knowledge and expertise, could the outcome have been different? His track record suggests that winning in Miramar as a Haitian candidate requires more than just Haitian-American support; it demands a strategic approach that goes beyond ethnic identity and focuses on building a broad, engaged electorate.
Anthony Bonamy, a seasoned political consultant, has a track record that could have been advantageous for Conze’s campaign. Bonamy also notably assisted Commissioner Darlene Riggs in her successful 2015 campaign, demonstrating his strategic acumen in local elections. Engaging a consultant with such experience might have provided valuable insights and strategies tailored to Miramar’s unique electoral landscape, potentially enhancing Conze’s outreach and voter engagement efforts.
Even though Conze seemed to receive support from other small ethnic groups, greater efforts must be made to attract more voters from non-Haitian communities as well. The Jamaican community, which forms a significant voting bloc, tends to vote collectively, making it crucial to engage and appeal to a broader and more diverse electorate.
With the two leading candidates dominating the race, the outcome reflects a broader reality in Miramar politics: Haitian-American candidates must build stronger coalitions beyond their immediate community to compete effectively.
Additionally, with Pamella “Pema” Reid in the race (earning 7.06%), the vote was further split among different communities. Conze needed a strong, united Haitian voting bloc in a crowded field, but that was not the case.
Lessons for Future Haitian-American Candidates
Kertz Conze’s defeat highlights the ongoing challenges Haitian-American candidates face in Miramar. To strengthen their political influence, they must focus on increasing voter engagement, community outreach, and strategic media use. Additionally, Haitian-American candidates must look beyond their immediate community and actively engage other small ethnic groups to expand their voter base and build broader coalitions.
Future Haitian-American candidates should:
- Boost voter registration and educate the community on the importance of local elections.
- Expand media outreach using digital platforms, social media, and WhatsApp groups.
- Unify the Haitian-American vote through coalition-building, town halls, and issue-driven engagement.
- Engage professionals and entrepreneurs with policies that address their interests.
- Reach out to other small ethnic communities, Caribbean (excluding Jamaicans), Latino, and African groups, to foster alliances and broaden voter appeal. Additionally, engage the young generation of Haitian-Americans living in Miramar by involving them through their parents.
- Raise awareness about election timing to increase turnout in municipal races.
Without these efforts, Haitian-American candidates will continue to lag behind better-organized opponents. The 2025 Miramar election serves as a wake-up call that future candidates must heed if they hope to win.
