Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, who was elected in 2023 after defeating Michael Gongora, has received significant financial backing from the real estate and hospitality sectors as he seeks reelection. During his term, Meiner introduced legislation that made it more difficult for developers to obtain approvals for projects exceeding the city’s maximum floor area ratio (FAR). The city commission unanimously passed his proposal requiring six out of seven commissioners, including the mayor, to approve any FAR increases. Developers must also conduct neighborhood impact assessments for such requests.
Meiner’s tenure has included some controversies. In March, he attempted to cancel a lease with O Cinema at a city-owned historic building due to the company’s refusal to stop showing a Gaza War documentary he found offensive. This move led to community backlash. Additionally, Meiner resigned from his position as a lawyer at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission amid an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment involving three colleagues and an intern.
Despite these issues and his efforts to limit development, Meiner’s campaign has attracted substantial support from local business interests compared to his opponent, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. Prominent developers such as Russell Galbut, David Martin of Terra, and Michael Stern of JDS Development are barred from donating due to pending business with the city. However, Miami Beach First—a political action committee supporting Meiner—has raised $134,000 from notable figures in real estate and hospitality.
Meiner stated that this industry support shows widespread approval for his leadership: “Residents and businesses recognize our success and want to keep the momentum going for Miami Beach,” he said.
Rosen Gonzalez told The Real Deal she is funding her campaign solely through individual contributions rather than a PAC. She noted indirect support from groups like Save—the region’s oldest LGBTQ rights organization—and the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. Some restaurant and hotel owners in the Art Deco District have also backed her campaign. “They are very upset with the current state of the city,” Rosen Gonzalez said. “They have more confidence in me than the mayor. When the streets are empty and hotels aren’t full, that is a problem.”
Among Meiner’s supporters is Lennar co-CEO Stuart Miller, who contributed $50,000 to Miami Beach First. The Federal Elections Commission recently dismissed complaints against Miller regarding previous political donations made through an entity he controls.
Other contributors include real estate investor Michael Simkins ($25,000), his business partner Marc Roberts ($10,000), Groot Hospitality founder David Grutman ($20,000), investor Alex Kleyner ($18,000), developer Scott Robins ($10,000), New York-based Naftali Group ($10,000), Julia Grimes of Hilton Bentley Hotel South Beach ($5,000), entities managed by Jimmy Resnick ($5,000), and Faena Hotel Miami Beach ($2,000).
Meiner’s individual campaign account received $5,500 from entities linked to Infinity Real Estate of New York; Infinity also gave $1,000 directly to Rosen Gonzalez.
Miami Beach First has collected $540,745 overall; Meiner’s personal campaign has raised $97,727.
Rosen Gonzalez has secured $146,806 for her own campaign—including about $28,000 from local real estate and hospitality professionals. Notable donors include members of the Mirmelli family (each giving $1,000), Catherine and Anthony Arrighi of Ocean’s Ten restaurant (with two managed entities each contributing $1,000), affiliates of Think Hospitality led by Shawn Vardi (a combined $5,000), hotelier Alan Lieberman with his wife Dianne Lieberman (a total of $3,000), five entities managed by Jim Cavanaugh (each giving $1,000), as well as Palace Bar, Mango’s Tropical Cafe, Prime 112 and Big Pink restaurants (each giving $1,000).
