Three Candidates Compete for Miami-Dade Commission District 2 Seat

A competitive three-way race is underway for the Miami-Dade Commission’s District 2 seat, which covers portions of Miami, North Miami, Opa-locka and Hialeah. Incumbent Commissioner Marleine Bastien, trapeze artist Miguel “Skip” Quintero and newcomer Ernst Jean are seeking the position that Bastien won in 2022.

Bastien, a nonprofit executive, has emphasized affordable housing development and infrastructure improvements to the 27th Avenue corridor as key priorities. She highlighted that her administration has delivered 4,000 affordable housing units since taking office and acknowledged the county faces budget pressures requiring expense reductions, though she declined to specify which areas would face cuts.

Quintero, a South Florida native who unsuccessfully ran for Miami-Dade County mayor in 2024, has positioned himself as a transparency advocate and First Amendment supporter. He advocates for universal basic income, community ownership of mixed-use development projects, and has called for elimination of the county’s Strive 305 small business support program, questioning the government’s decision-making process for business funding.

Jean, whose primary income source is listed as Allied Universal Services according to available records, declined further communication with local media outlets regarding his candidacy and platform positions.