Voters in Surfside, Florida, will head to the polls on March 5, 2024, to elect a new Mayor and four Town Commission members, while also deciding on two significant ballot questions regarding zoning regulations and the timing of future municipal elections. The election follows the departure of Mayor Charles Burkett, who is leaving office after serving multiple terms.
Three well-known candidates are vying for the Mayor’s position: current Vice Mayor Tina Paul, former Town Manager Mark Blumstein, and former Mayor Shlomo Danzinger. The competition for the four Commission seats is even more intense, with eight candidates running in an at-large format where voters can select up to four individuals.
Candidate Profiles
Tina Paul has a long history of public service in Surfside, having served on the Town Commission from 2016 to 2022 before returning in 2024. During her tenure, she has championed numerous initiatives, including measures to waive fees for condominium safety repairs and the establishment of a Community Relations Board and Youth Council. If elected Mayor, Paul plans to focus on enhancing public safety, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and fostering transparent governance. Her platform also emphasizes maintaining Surfside’s unique character, supporting small businesses, and improving environmental resilience.
Mark Blumstein brings a wealth of experience as a retired U.S. Navy JAG officer and former Circuit Court Judge. He served as Town Manager for a brief period in 2024 before being dismissed by the Commission amid controversies regarding his professional conduct. Blumstein’s campaign centers on restoring trust in local government, addressing flooding and sewage challenges, and lowering utility costs. He is committed to preserving Surfside’s low-density zoning and enhancing community infrastructure.
Shlomo Danzinger, who previously held the mayoral position, seeks to reclaim it after losing to Burkett. His tenure was marked by complaints regarding incivility in Town Hall. Danzinger, who attempted an unsuccessful run for Miami-Dade County Mayor shortly after losing his position, aims to restore stability in the local government. He emphasizes the need for fiscal discipline, expansion of recreation amenities, and the protection of residents’ interests against overdevelopment.
Commission Race and Ballot Questions
The race for the Town Commission features eight candidates, including incumbent Gerardo Vildostegui, a lawyer and legal professor seeking re-election. Vildostegui advocates for transparent governance and continued progress on infrastructure projects. Other candidates include former Commissioner Fred Landsman, Donna Benmergui, Yonathan Berdugo, William Blumenkranz, Jocelyn Kinzer, Andrea Travani, and Dovid Weingot.
Two referendums will also be on the ballot. The first seeks to require a 4-1 supermajority vote by the Town Commission for any zoning changes affecting the floor area ratio of single-family homes in designated districts. This measure would complicate any future amendments, requiring both a four-Commissioner vote and approval from at least 60% of voters in a referendum.
The second referendum proposes moving Surfside’s municipal elections to November of even-numbered years starting in 2028, aligning them with the General Election cycle. If passed, runoff elections would occur on the second Tuesday of December. Elected officials in 2026 would serve extended terms until November 2028 to accommodate this change.
As Surfside prepares for this pivotal election, residents are encouraged to engage with the candidates and consider the implications of their votes on the future of their community.
