Daniella Levine Cava

In 2013, Levine Cava, a Democrat, ran against incumbent Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Lynda Bell, a Republican. The district includes much of southern Miami-Dade County, including suburban localities like West Kendall and Cutler Bay, and agricultural communities like Homestead and Redland. Levine Cava entered the race in 2014.[7] Levine Cava narrowly defeated Bell in the August 26 election, receiving 52% of the vote to Bell's 48%.[10]

In 2016, Levine Cava sponsored legislation in the Miami-Dade County Commission that requires local candidates for office to register when they raise money for political action committees.[11]

Levine Cava won reelection in 2018, receiving over 61% of the vote.[12]

In November 2019, Levine Cava published a letter in the Miami Herald criticizing the Florida State Legislature for diverting funds for affordable housing. This diverted nearly $1.4 billion to balance the state budget.[13] She also created the Infill Housing Program which aims to build affordable housing on County-owned land in her district.[14]

During her tenure, Levine Cava has advocated for the protection of the environment. In 2017, she sponsored the resolution to support the Paris climate agreement. In response to the presence of fecal bacteria in Biscayne Bay in early 2020, she also sponsored legislation to improve water testing in the area.[15][16]

In 2018, Levine Cava created an initiative to protect pedestrians and bikers from harm's way. The initiative featured a plan for engaging with the business community to create incentives that could train people to be better drivers and an agenda for improving biking accessibility on roads.[17]

Levine Cava gained endorsements from labor unions like the Service Employees International Union, and the AFL–CIO, and environmental groups like the Sierra Club.[18][19]

In early 2020, Levine Cava announced her run for the 2020 Miami-Dade County mayoral election, to succeed incumbent Mayor Carlos Giménez, who was term-limited.[20] She earned the endorsements of many major organizations and newspapers, including the Miami Herald, and received the endorsement of many prominent Democrats, including congresswomen Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala.[21][22] Levine Cava has also received significant funding from Donald Sussman, a hedge fund executive who was the largest single donor to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election.[23]

In the August 18 primary, Levine Cava placed second behind fellow Commissioner Esteban Bovo, receiving 28% to Bovo's 29%, with former County Mayor Alex Penelas trailing in third with 24%.[24] Because neither Levine Cava or Bovo received over 50% of the vote, this triggered a runoff election between the two candidates, which was held on November 3, 2020.[25] Levine Cava won the runoff election with 54% of the vote.[26]

In late June, Levine Cava garnered national attention for her response to the Surfside condominium building collapse.[27]