The next election in Miami Lakes is 23 months away, but as of Dec. 9, five residents have filed to run for town council.
Council seats 1, 3 and 5 will be open in 2024, along with the Mayor’s seat.
For Seat 1, incumbent Councilman and business owner Tony Fernandez filed to seek a second term.
Realtor Juan Carlos Fernandez and business owner Mario O. Pinera, Jr. filed to run for Seat 3. It is currently represented by Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano, who is term-limited.
Seeking Seat 5 are school social worker Hector Abad and attorney Steven Herzberg. That seat is currently held by Councilman Luis Collazo, who is also term-limited.
Candidates are following in the footsteps of previously elected officials by volunteering on various town boards and committees before launching their campaigns.
Juan Carlos Fernandez serves on the Planning and Zoning Board and previously was a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.
Abad is vice-chair of the Education Advisory Board and volunteers with the Giving Gators charity.
Herzberg is secretary for the Blasting Advisory Board.
Pinera, Jr. is chair of the Education Advisory Board.
Before he was elected, Tony Fernandez chaired the Youth Activities Task Force and was secretary of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.