MIAMI \u2014 There is a three-way race heating up for the Miami-Dade Commission\u2019s District 2 seat. <\/p>\n
The district encompasses parts of Miami, North Miami, Opa-locka and Hialeah.<\/p>\n
Running for the seat are incumbent Commissioner Marleine Bastien, trapeze artist Miguel \u201cSkip\u201d Quintero and newcomer Ernst Jean.<\/p>\n
Bastien, a nonprofit founder and executive who won the seat in 2022, says her priorities also include investing in infrastructure like the 27th Avenue corridor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was elected, I promised the people I would invest in affordable housing, and since (there are now) 4,000 affordable housing units,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
On the budget, Bastien admitted the county needs to make cuts, but did not offer any specifics.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking at some of the expenses,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are looking at some of the plans. It is a process which we are engaging and we have already started.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quintero is a South Florida native who made an unsuccessful run for Miami-Dade County mayor in 2024. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can do better,\u201d he said. \u201cI have an interest in protecting my homestead, my way of life, my home business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quintero describes himself as a First Amendment advocate who lists transparency as a main priority. <\/p>\n
\u201cAny time on the clock, doing the people\u2019s work, there\u2019s a camera on me, live,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He also said he wants universal basic income.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur idea is all new development, particularly from mixed use development,\u201d he said. \u201cThe community is going to be the owners.\u201d<\/p>\n
He thinks bloat in the county budget comes from personnel and would cut Strive 305, the county\u2019s small business support program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the government picking and choosing who to give money to for these small businesses, how are they vetted?\u201d he asked. <\/p>\n
As for Ernst Jean, after making initial contact, he stopped communicating with Local 10 News.<\/p>\n
Records show his primary source of income is Allied Universal Services.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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