Democrats accused the Village of Key Biscayne of raising “real ethical questions” after official government Instagram posts publicized two Republican lawmakers 40 days before the Nov. 3 election.
The Key Biscayne government operates multiple social media accounts at taxpayer expense. The Village’s main Instagram account featured a joint post with U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, who was standing next to Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco and Vice Mayor Oscar Sardiñas holding a $2 million check on Sept. 10, outside Village Hall.
The post touted funding for stormwater infrastructure allocated for the island. The Village’s account posted a video reel of her explaining the funding as well on Sept. 16.
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar poses with Council Members Fernando Vazquez, Mike Brakcen, Mayor Joe Rasco, and Village Manager Steve Williamson (KBI via Village of Key Biscayne)
A few days later, the Key Biscayne Police Department Instagram account posted a photo promoting GOP state Sen. Alexis Calatayud in a “Coffee with a Cop” event that occurred on Sept. 15. The post said “Join us for coffee, conversation, and community.” Calatayud has held two “Coffee with a Cop” events in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay. It was followed by a video — complete with music — showing the senator with multiple officers in uniform.
Democrat Richard Lamondin is running to unseat Calatayud. Campaign Manager Manny Orozco said the “Coffee with a Cop” event was an instance of Calatayud using “her official capacity as a way to build campaign visibility,” and told Sousa about his concerns.
“With two months left before a highly contested general election, events that closely tie a sitting officeholder’s name, seal, and personal image to local police branding raise real ethical questions about the line between official duties and campaign activity,” Orozco said.
While stopping short of alleging any wrongdoing, the campaign said the Senator’s intent and the Village’s cooperation is clear.
“We think it’s fair to ask whether that line is being respected as Election Day quickly approaches.”
‘This was not a real conversation place’
Jackie Kellogg, leader of the Key Biscayne Democrats, went to the “Coffee with a Cop” event to try to talk with Calatayud. Kellogg said there were roughly 10 officers who acted friendly towards her, but left after the Senator “turned her back” and walked away.
“This was not a real conversation place. This was just basically to show that -or implies- that the police department supports her,” she said.
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Kellogg said she would be less skeptical of the event if Calatayud had held “Coffee with a Cop” events twice a year outside campaign season, or if she scheduled events on other topics, such as development and immigration.
She said Calatayud was “taking advantage of everything possible to imply that the police, the fire, the village manager, the mayor, everybody supports her — which can give voters the impression of like ‘ I guess if they support her, then it must be fine.’”
Orozco said the Police Department told his team that Calatayud’s office reached out to them to participate in the “Coffee with a Cop” event and they approved it, intending to educate the community on police-related issues, but that it is not an endorsement of her campaign. The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the union representing Key Biscayne police, has endorsed Calatayud.
Orozco said his team has not tried to arrange anything similar with any police department, as Florida law restricts public officials and taxpayer-funded time from being used to support or coordinate with a political campaign.
Village of Key Biscayne lacks transparent social media protocol
The Independent asked Village officials if there is any policy or protocol about use of taxpayer-funded social media featuring political candidates.
Village Manager Steve Williamson said the Village works with legislators on “a regular basis to advocate and pursue the interests of the Village.”
In an email, Calatayud aide Steven Santos said the senator “regularly meets with law enforcement officers throughout Senate District 38 as part of her ongoing engagement with the communities she represents.”
Florida law mandates disclosures on paid political advertisements. Local government accounts are also prohibited from promoting political candidates.
The town of Jupiter has a web page of its guidelines for candidates using social media. “Do not use the Town’s elected official accounts, profiles or pages for campaign purposes,” it advises.
The posts on the Village’s official Instagram accounts do not endorse Calatayud or Salazar directly. The Village’s Instagram “follows” both politicians while the police follow only Calatayud; neither the Village or KBPD follow an official campaign account.
In the 27th Congressional District — part of the national battle for control of Congress — recent polls are tighter.
Salazar won election to Congress in 2020 by less than three percentage points, but won by double-point landslides in 2024.
Salazar, a former TV journalist, faces Democrat Elliott Rodriguez, another former TV journalist in November. Recent polls have the candidates neck-and-neck.
Salazar drew national media attention after a post telling President Trump that he was getting bad advice on immigration policy. Her statement was attacked by both Democrats and prominent MAGA figures. She voted for the “Big Beautiful Bill” that is funding the ongoing immigration crackdown.
Trump has endorsed Salazar.
“I say too late and two-faced because everything you see should have been done immediately,” Kellogg said about Salazar’s ad. “You know your community, you know people are suffering.”
The Independent reached out to Salazar and Rodriguez team for comment.
Ava Menkes is a senior reporter with the Independent, covering local government and accountability. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in journalism and political science, and minors in history, European studies and Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian studies. She previously interned with theRaleigh News & Observer,Wisconsin Watchand Isthmuscovering state politics, investigations and elections. She also worked withThe Nation,and served as managing editor of her university’s paperThe Daily Cardinal, leading 2024 presidential coverage.