Politics
North Miami mayor removed from reelection race over campaign-fee payment
A Miami-Dade judge ruled that Mayor Alix Desulme must be disqualified from North Miami’s Nov. 3 election because he paid his qualifying fee with cashier’s checks rather than from a campaign account. Desulme’s attorney said the mayor was disappointed and may seek an emergency stay and appeal.
North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme was disqualified from his reelection campaign Monday after a Miami-Dade County judge ruled that his qualifying fee was not paid in accordance with election requirements.
Circuit Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez issued the ruling at the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center. “He shall be disqualified as a candidate for mayor,” she said.
George Morgan, who is also running for mayor, asked the court to remove Desulme from the Nov. 3 ballot, challenging how he paid the fee. Desulme used bank-issued cashier’s checks. Florida election law requires a qualifying fee to be paid from a campaign account and signed by the campaign treasurer.
Desulme’s attorney, Ben Kuehne, said the mayor was “very disappointed.” Desulme may seek an emergency stay of the ruling and appeal, according to the report.
Kuehne also argued that North Miami’s charter required the funds to come from a campaign account. He said Morgan’s own payment was 80 cents short. Desulme, Morgan and Morgan’s attorney declined to comment.
The ruling came as early voting began Monday in Miami-Dade County, less than three weeks before Election Day. Desulme had previously said he wanted another two years to continue his work, including efforts to address flooding.