Steven Meiner, who became Miami Beach mayor in 2023 after defeating Michael Gongora, has implemented policies that make it more difficult for developers to increase the density of their projects. In 2024, the city commission unanimously passed his legislation requiring six out of seven commissioners, including the mayor, to approve any request to exceed the city’s maximum allowable floor area ratio (FAR) for new buildings. Developers must also now conduct a neighborhood impact assessment when seeking FAR increases.
Meiner’s term has not been without controversy. In March, he attempted to cancel a lease with O Cinema at a city-owned historic building due to the company’s refusal to stop showing a Gaza War documentary that Meiner claimed was offensive to Jewish people. This move drew significant backlash from the community. Additionally, Meiner resigned from his role as a lawyer at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission following reports of an internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment involving three female colleagues and an intern.
Despite these issues and his stance on limiting development, Meiner has received substantial financial support from real estate and hospitality interests ahead of the upcoming November 4 election against city commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez. Although developers with pending business before the city cannot donate directly due to regulations, Miami Beach First—a political action committee supporting Meiner—has collected $134,000 from prominent figures in real estate and hospitality.
Meiner commented on this support: “Residents and businesses recognize our success and want to keep the momentum going for Miami Beach.”
Kristen Rosen Gonzalez stated she is raising funds only through her campaign account rather than through a separate PAC. She noted indirect support from groups such as Save, South Florida’s longest-serving LGBTQ rights group, and the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. Rosen Gonzalez also said she has backing from some restaurant and hotel owners in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District.
“They are very upset with the current state of the city,” Rosen Gonzalez said. “They have more confidence in me than the mayor. When the streets are empty and hotels aren’t full, that is a problem.”
Leading contributors to Miami Beach First include Lennar co-CEO Stuart Miller ($50,000), real estate investor Michael Simkins ($25,000), Simkins’ business partner Marc Roberts ($10,000), Groot Hospitality founder David Grutman ($20,000), Alex Kleyner ($18,000), developer Scott Robins ($10,000), New York-based Naftali Group ($10,000), Julia Grimes of Hilton Bentley Hotel South Beach ($5,000), entities managed by Jimmy Resnick ($5,000), and Faena Hotel Miami Beach ($2,000).
Outside of PAC donations, Meiner’s individual campaign received $5,500 combined from entities tied to Infinity Real Estate led by David Berg and Steve Kassin; Berg personally donated $1,000 as well. An Infinity affiliate also gave $1,000 to Rosen Gonzalez.
Last month saw Infinity Real Estate purchase properties on Alton Road—including the former Epicure Gourmet Market & Café site—from developer Michael Shvo.
Miami Beach First has raised $540,745 overall compared with $97,727 via Meiner’s individual campaign account.
Rosen Gonzalez has collected $146,806 for her campaign so far; about $28,000 came from local real estate and hospitality professionals. Donors include three members of the Mirmelli family (each giving $1,000); Catherine and Anthony Arrighi (owners of Ocean’s Ten restaurant) along with two managed entities (each giving $1,000); five affiliates of Think Hospitality led by Shawn Vardi (combined $5,000); hotelier Alan Lieberman with wife Dianne Lieberman plus an entity he manages (combined $3,000); five entities linked to Jim Cavanaugh (each donating $1,000); as well as Palace Bar; Mango’s Tropical Cafe; Prime 112; and Big Pink restaurants or bars (each giving $1,000).
