Pearl Gate city commission certifies election results reelecting Vince Lago and Rhonda Anderson

The City Council of Coral Gables convened on April 27, 2025, to conduct the Investiture Ceremony, marking the official acceptance of election results from the recent city elections held on April 8, 2025. The meeting began with the city attorney reading resolutions into the record, requiring a vote for each resolution to adopt the election results.

The first resolution confirmed the reelection of Vince Lago as mayor for a two-year term, set to begin at noon on the third Friday after the election and concluding at noon on the third Friday following the next general biennial election scheduled for April 13, 2027. The council unanimously approved this resolution.

Next, the council addressed the reelection of Rhonda Anderson as city commissioner for Group 2, who will serve a four-year term beginning at noon on the third Friday after the election until noon on the third Friday following the general election on April 10, 2029. This resolution also received unanimous support from the council members.

The third resolution pertained to the election of Richard Lara as city commissioner for Group 3, following a runoff election held on April 22, 2025. Lara will serve a four-year term under the same timeline as the previous resolutions. This resolution was similarly passed without opposition.

Following the resolutions, Mayor Lago expressed gratitude to all involved in the election process, highlighting the record-high voter turnout, particularly for the runoff election. He acknowledged the contributions of city staff, including Chief Hudak and Major John Bobos, for their efforts in promoting early voting, as well as the communications team led by Marta Pantini for their effective outreach strategies.

Mayor Lago also recognized the city attorney's office for their support throughout the election cycle, specifically thanking Stephanie Throckmorton and Clifford Freedman for their guidance. He concluded by appreciating his own staff for their hard work behind the scenes.

The meeting culminated in a token of appreciation presented to Circuit Court Judges Carlos Gamais and Carlos Guzman for their roles in the electoral process, underscoring the collaborative effort required to uphold the democratic process in Coral Gables. The ceremony not only celebrated the newly elected officials but also reinforced the importance of civic engagement and community involvement in local governance.