Miami Gardens, located in northern Miami-Dade County, was incorporated on May 13, 2003, and is recognized as the 33rd city in the county. With a population of 105,457, it ranks as the third-largest city in Miami-Dade County, following Miami and Hialeah. Known for its solid, working, and middle-class community, Miami Gardens boasts unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in the State of Florida and is home to a significant number of Caribbean residents, including Haitians.
The Mayor and each Council Member are elected to four-year terms. The Mayor and two Council Members are elected at-large and four Council Members are elected by Residential Area.
Pursuant to the City of Miami Gardens Charter, the next General Election will be held on August 20, 2024. Four of the seven seats are up for elections: Mayor, Council Member Residential Seat 1, Council Member Residential Seat 3, and Council Member At-Large Seat 5.
Each incumbent of those seats already have an idea about the electoral battle they will face, as candidates already threw their hat in search of unseat them, thus the qualifying period for the election shall open Monday, May 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., and close precisely at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
If incumbent mayor Rodney Harris is facing so far two potential opponents ; Seat 1 councilmember Shannon Campbell, two opponents ; Seat 3 councilmember Shannan “Lady” Ighodaro, just one ; however Linda Julien, who made history in 2020 as first person of Haitian descent to be elected in that city as Member At-Large Seat 5, is facing six opponents.
Julien who, according to her biography on the city website, has a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a Master’s degree in Public Admin from FAU, was part of a political group, including the former city mayor Olivier Gilbert (actually Miami-Dade County chairman) and the city’s incumbent mayor Rodney Harris, when she won her seat in 2020.
For most political offices, the incumbent often has more name recognition due to their previous work in the office. Incumbents also have easier access to campaign finance, as well as government resources that can be indirectly used to boost the incumbent’s re-election campaign.
The situation in which Linda Julien faces six opponents in her reelection bid, while her fellow incumbents are contending with fewer challengers, presents an interesting case for analysis. Several factors could be contributing to this heightened electoral competition.
In a political language, when an incumbent candidate faces a high number of opponents in a re-election race, this is considered as a sign of serious dissatisfaction, therefore vulnerability.
Linda Julien’s historic election as the first person of Haitian descent to win a seat in Miami Gardens likely increased her visibility, both positively and negatively. High visibility can make a political figure a more attractive target for challengers hoping to gain recognition by unseating a well-known incumbent.
Julien’s previous association with notable political figures like former Mayor Oliver Gilbert and current Mayor Rodney Harris suggests she is a central figure in the city’s political landscape. Such positioning can attract opposition from various factions within the political spectrum, each aiming to shift the council’s balance of power.
As a representative of a significant Haitian and broader Caribbean community, Julien may face heightened expectations from her constituents. If sections of the community feel that their needs have not been adequately addressed, this could be the reason prompting multiple candidates to challenge her, believing they have a strong chance to resonate better with these voters.
Specific policies or decisions Julien supported or opposed during her term could have also polarized opinion among constituents and other stakeholders. If her actions in office were seen as controversial or divisive, this could have mobilized opposition forces and encouraged more candidates to challenge her. At least two persons who know her well apparently told Le Floridien that she is not a type of easy person to deal with, without elaborate too much on her character.
The dynamics of the election cycle itself might also play a role. If potential candidates perceive a vulnerability in Julien’s reelection prospects—whether due to shifts in voter sentiment, changes in the demographic makeup of the electorate, or her own political standing—this could explain the larger number of challengers.
Can Haitian-American voters save Julien?
Miami Gardens has a significant African-American population, including a substantial number of Haitian-Americans. According to data from the U.S. Census and community reports, Haitian-Americans represent a meaningful segment of the community. If a majority of this group aligns politically and turns out to vote, their impact could be substantial. However, the extent of this impact depends on the overall voter turnout and the demographic distribution of the electorate during the election.
Historically, ethnic communities, including Haitian-Americans, can exhibit strong voter solidarity, especially when a candidate directly represents their ethnic or cultural background. If Julien has maintained strong ties with her base and actively engaged with her constituents’ concerns, this could translate into solid support at the polls. However, it’s essential to assess whether past elections have shown strong turnout and support from Haitian-American voters.
The effectiveness of Julien’s outreach to the Haitian-American community and her responsiveness to their specific concerns are crucial for her re-election bid. It is important to note that Julien seems better known by Haitians living in North Miami area than her residential city of Miami Gardens, as she was deeply involved in North Miami before became an elected official in Miami Gardens in 2020, as she was the Economic Development Manager for North Miami.
Many individuals have noted that she has emceed many Haitian events organized outside her Miami Gardens’ boundary. In a way to indirectly state that she seems more active communitywide outside Miami Gardens. At least two residents in Miami Gardens with Haitian roots contacted by Le Floridien appeared not even aware of the presence of a Haitian-American councilmember in Miami Gardens.
Her track record on issues like immigration, economic development, community safety, and cultural preservation is crucial. If she has actively supported causes important to Haitian-Americans, this could significantly boost support and increase voter turnout in her favor.
While Haitian-American voters could significantly influence Councilmember Linda Julien’s chances of reelection, relying solely on this demographic may not be sufficient. The success of her campaign will likely depend on a combination of factors including demographic turnout, cross-ethnic support, effective community engagement, and the broader political environment in Miami Gardens. A multi-faceted approach by his campaign team that addresses both specific community concerns and general municipal interests will be essential for her to secure her seat again.
Dessalines Ferdinand
