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A campaign sign urging a yes vote on a ballot question to limit stormwater spending in Key Biscayne, Fla. Oct 24, 2026. The sign had no identification of who paid for it. (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\nSome candidates for Village Council have done some significant fundraising this election season, but others have spent very little and are entirely self-funded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was zero finance reporting about campaigns on a controversial local ballot measure. Groups have been urging a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d vote on a provision that would limit stormwater spending, even though there are signs on lawns and flyers being circulated throughout the Village.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
A campaign sign urging a yes vote on a ballot question to limit stormwater spending in Key Biscayne, Fla. Oct 24, 2026. The sign had no identification of who paid for it. (KBI Photo\/Tony Winton)<\/p>\n
Incumbent Oscar Sardi\u00f1as reported the highest contributions, totaling $12,285. In second place was was educator Silivia Tarafa, who raised $9,475.<\/p>\n
Sardi\u00f1as\u2019 largest campaign contributions came from real estate agents and contractors, including developer Edgardo Defortuna, the head of the Fortune International Group. He is the brother of Walter Defortuna, whose company is pushing a contentious condo renovation project<\/a>\u00a0 in the island\u2019s Garden district that requires a change to the Village\u2019s zoning code.\u00a0He also listed contributions from Santex, described as a marina operator, and Nelson Stabile, a principal of Integra Investments, a marina developer. <\/p>\n Some of Tarafa\u2019s largest contributions came from well-known island lawyers. Among them were superlawyer Eugene Stearns, one of the Village\u2019s founding fathers, along with Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, and Mario Garcia-Serra, who often appears before the Village in various land use cases. All have been active in Village politics for years. Also contributing was the Gunster law firm political action committee. The PAC also made a contribution to Sardi\u00f1as.<\/p>\n A few other donors to Tarafa\u2019s campaign include Steve Powell, a commercial real estate executive, and former Mayor Robert Vernon, who also contributed to Sardi\u00f1as. <\/p>\n Fernando Vazquez, another incumbent seeking re-election, reported $2,300. His largest donations were from Engineer Franklin Torrealba and the Miami Realtors Political Action Committee, both contributing\u00a0$1,000 each.\u00a0<\/p>\n Luis de la Cruz, a former council member who is aiming to return to the dais, has completely relied on family support and self-funding. He has contributed $1,000 himself in funding, and his spouse Gloriosa de la Cruz donated $1,616.94 in-kind for campaign signs and website build.\u00a0<\/p>\n Claire London, a political novice who earlier said she was out of the race, filed timely reports and remains an active, legal candidate<\/a>.\u00a0She reported $1,650 in self-funded contributions.\u00a0She is the wife of Ed London, whose term ends in November. <\/p>\n London has not responded to questions on why she has not formally withdrawn from the race or if she has reversed her decision, why.\u00a0A previous report showed she had spent money on signs and T-shirts, but a quick tour of the island streets Saturday revealed no signs in resident yards.<\/p>\n Never miss a story! Sign up for our FREE newsletter<\/p>\n
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