Bryan Calvo, a former city councilman known for frequently challenging Esteban “Steve” Bovo’s policies during his tenure as Hialeah’s mayor, has won the city’s mayoral election with 52.93% of the vote. Calvo, 27, becomes the youngest mayor in Hialeah history.
Calvo achieved what many observers deemed unlikely: defeating four other contenders, including the interim mayor and a prominent council member, to win outright and avoid a runoff.
Calvo told the Miami Herald that he will focus “aggressively” during his first 100 days on the promises he made during his campaign: ending the retirement plan for city officials, removing property taxes for seniors over 65, and scrapping some of the charges on water bills.
In a statement before the interview, Calvo thanked Hialeah residents for what he called “the honor of a lifetime.”
“Tonight you delivered a clear message: it’s time to end backroom politics and bring integrity back to City Hall,” he said. “This victory belongs to every family that’s worked hard, played by the rules, and refuse to give up on this city.”
Calvo outpaced interim Mayor Jacqueline Garcia‑Roves and Councilman Jesus Tundidor — both considered strong establishment candidates — as well as fellow challengers Marc Anthony Salvat and Bernardino “Benny” Rodriguez.
Voter turnout was 19.44%, with 17,528 total voters. Tundidor received 20.68% of the vote, while Garcia-Roves followed closely with 19%.
Garcia-Roves, in tears in her headquarters, thanked everyone who worked hard on her campaign and said she would continue working for “the city I love.”
Tundidor sent a statement to the Herald saying, “The people of Hialeah have spoken. I am very proud of the work we have done as a councilman. I wish Bryan all the best and hope he does his best for our community.”
Salvat, 32, got 6.47% percent of the votes, while Bernardino “Benny” Rodriguez received less that 1% of the votes.
During his tenure on the city council, Calvo was a vocal critic of then-Mayor Bovo’s administration, accusing it of wasteful spending and poor governance. Calvo filed a lawsuit, later dismissed against Bovo over alleged misuse of public resources.
Garcia-Roves — the first woman to serve as Hialeah’s mayor — is expected to remain in office through the transition period established under Bovo’s administration. She will hand over the position on Jan. 12, 2026, when Calvo is expected to be sworn in. The arrangement leaves the city under interim leadership for two more months as Hialeah prepares for a new direction at City Hall.
Running as an anti-establishment reformer, Calvo raised just over $324,000 for his campaign. His platform emphasized cutting government bureaucracy, repealing elected officials’ pensions and lowering water bills for Hialeah residents.
Calvo holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University and a law degree from Florida International University.