Doral City Hall
Alie Skowronski
askowronski@miamiherald.com
Doral residents will elect two council members on Tuesday, Nov. 3. We asked the four candidates where they stood on key issues facing the city. Here is how they responded:
DORAL COUNCIL SEAT 2 
Candidate Fernanda Gomes (left) is challenging incumbent Councilwoman Maureen Porras (right) in the race for Seat 2. Courtesy of the candidates Why are you running for office?
Fernanda Gomes: Because Doral is my home, and I care about its future. I’ve raised my family here, built my career here and spent many years involved in our community. Running for City Council feels like a natural next step, an opportunity to serve, listen to our residents and help to protect what makes Doral such a special place to call home.
Maureen Porras: As a lawyer of 12 years, I’ve dedicated my career to providing access to legal services to our immigrant community. As councilwoman, I have applied my public service experience directly to our Doral community. Now, as I seek reelection, I remain committed to providing dedicated, transparent and accessible leadership that our residents deserve.
What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?
Fernanda Gomes: I know Doral not only through community service, but through everyday life. I’m a mom, a realtor associate, a homeowner and an active resident. I’ve always brought passion and responsibility to everything I do, and I’m ready to bring that same commitment, care and sense of responsibility to the City Council.
Maureen Porras: As councilwoman and former vice mayor, I bring the necessary experience and leadership to continue moving our city forward. I’ve championed initiatives that enhanced quality of life, increased public safety, expanded family programs and promoted fiscal responsibility. I’m committed to making Doral the best place to live, work, learn and play.
What is the most pressing issue facing the community you wish to represent?
Fernanda Gomes: I believe one of Doral’s biggest challenges is managing growth while protecting our quality of life. Growth is important, but must go hand in hand with better mobility, strong public safety, infrastructure and services. Every decision we make should improve the daily life of our residents.
Maureen Porras: Quality of life has always been a top priority for the city of Doral. As councilwoman, I will continue to work to improve the quality of life of all residents by prioritizing lowering property taxes, strengthening public safety, increasing family programming, promoting transparency and eliminating wasteful spending.
DORAL COUNCIL SEAT 4 
Doral Council Seat 4 candidates Peter Espinosa (left) and Gustavo Garagorry (right). Courtesy of the candidates Why are you running for office?
Peter Espinosa: I’m ready to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. I served our country in the U.S. Army 82nd ABN DIV, built a 30-plus-year career in a Fortune 500 company, and have stayed actively involved in Doral from serving my HOA and our city supporting our veterans and bringing together in our community.
Gustavo Garagorry: I am running for Doral City Council, Silla 4, to deliver effective leadership grounded in municipal experience. My focus is cutting traffic gridlock through AI light synchronization, equipping police with advanced tech, protecting residential zoning against over-development, and streamlining municipal permitting with strict fiscal accountability.
What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?
Peter Espinosa: I bring proven leadership and decades of business experience. Military service and deep roots in Doral. I know our community, I listen to our residents, and I’m ready to turn their priorities into action with integrity and accountability.
Gustavo Garagorry: My eight years as a Doral legislative analyst and my current regulatory consulting work give me the practical experience needed for Silla 4. I have the determination to immediately enhance transparency, streamline permitting and execute responsible solutions because I already know exactly how to make our local government work for its residents.
What is the most pressing issue facing the community you wish to represent?
Peter Espinosa: I believe we live in a wonderful thriving city that continues to move forward. There will always be challenges but with good leadership, responsible decisions and a community working together, we can keep Doral moving in the right direction.
Gustavo Garagorry: Our most pressing issues are severe traffic gridlock from over-development and a need for strict budget transparency. I will implement AI traffic synchronization, protect residential zoning, and mandate open, accountable governance so every taxpayer dollar directly supports infrastructure and our quality of life.