When Hialeah Councilman Jesus Tundidor spoke before the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce, a question was whether he will run for either the District 13 county commission seat currently held by Sen. René García, or for mayor of Hialeah.
In April he filed with the state as a candidate for the county commission. He previously worked for García in the state legislature.
“I’d love to pursue that [county office] the moment that it becomes available,” Tundidor said on June 11. “Wherever I can continue to serve northwest Dade, especially Hialeah, I’m all in.”
In an update to The Miami Laker's print version of this story, on June 18 Tundidor asked in a letter to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia to "redesignate" his candidacy from the county commission ract to the City of Hialeah's 2025 mayoral race. That same day, he filed campaign paperwork for mayor in Hialeah. As of June 19, he was one of seven candidates for mayor, including Garcia.
A health care executive with a long-term care plan, Tundidor was elected to Hialeah’s council in 2019.
He said the U.S. Census population count is 240,000 but he believes it’s closer to a half million people who live in Hialeah.
He listed as council accomplishments ordinances to stop illegal use of RVs at single family homes and to “incentivize” more affordable housing.
There are nearly 12,000 active businesses in Hialeah, led by health care, offices and restaurants, he said. He invited businesses to open in the city.
He called Miami Lakes “a sister city” of Hialeah, and said he spent part of his youth on Main Street.
During the past decade, he said Hialeah has seen more young professionals move in who are attracted to transit-oriented developments.
Mayor Josh Dieguez, Vice Mayor Bryan Morera; Council members Juan Carlos Fernandez, Alex Sanchez and Steven Herzberg; Town Manager Edward Pidermann and Fla. Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah attended the luncheon.
On June 25, the chamber, Business Networking International and the Economic Development Committee will host a free networking party at Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar, 7341 Miami Lakes Drive at 5:30 p.m.
The July 9 chamber luncheon speakers will include Nancy Batista, Chief Executive Officer, Baptist Hospital; Fred Senra, Partner, Miami Lakes AutoMall and past president of the chamber and Felipe Basulto, Market President - Retail, TD Bank.
Networking at Miami Lakes Hotel on Main, 6842 Main St., begins at 11:30 a.m. Buy tickets at miamilakeschamber.com.