Read before you vote: Candidates for the Aug. 23 primary elections in South Florida (2024)

Election season is back, South Florida. Early voting centers are set to open soon ahead of Florida’s Aug. 23 primary election and hundreds of thousands of vote-by-mail ballots are already sitting on kitchen tables.

For the uninitiated, this is the election in which voters mostly choose judges and nominees to represent their political party on the November ballot in contests for statewide office and for House and Senate at the state and federal levels. So, voters won’t be asked to choose their next governor, but Democrats will be asked to choose who will spend the next couple months campaigning against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida is a “closed” primary state, meaning registered Democrats vote in Democratic primary contests, registered Republicans vote in races featuring Republican candidates, and so on. That means Republican voters will be voting on a different ballot than Democratic voters, and the same goes for voters who have no party affiliation.

There are exceptions: Some legislative races will be open to all voters and decided outright this month because all the candidates on the ballot come from one political party. And some voters in specific neighborhoods will also see non-partisan local contests and referenda on their ballot, regardless of their political party.

But this election in many ways sets the table for the election on Nov. 8.

Planning to vote in the Miami-Dade and Broward elections? How to cast your ballot early

Read on to learn more about the major candidates, races and referenda on the ballot in Miami-Dade and Broward.

For recommendations from the Miami Herald Editorial Board, click here.

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS ONLY

Representative in Congress, District 24

• Jesus G. Navarro

• Lavern Spicer

Representative in Congress, District 25

• Carla Spalding

• Rubin Young

Representative in Congress, District 26

• Darren Aquino

• Mario Diaz-Balart

Representative in Congress, District 27

• Frank Polo

• María Elvira Salazar

Representative in Congress, District 28

• Carlos Garin

• Carlos A. Gimenez

• Karl “KW” Miller

Commissioner of Agriculture

• James W. Shaw

• Wilton Simpson

State Senator, District 34

• Pitchie “Peachy” Escarment

• Erhabor Ighodaro

• Shevrin “Shev” Jones

READ NEXT: What to know about South Florida’s state House and Senate races on the Aug. 23 ballot

State Representative, District 106

• Fabián Basabe

• Douglas John Ross

• Lynn Su Sutjapojnukul

State Representative, District 108

• Michael A. Etienne

• Roy Hardemon

• Dotie Joseph

State Representative, District 109

• James Bush III

• Ashley V. Gantt

State Representative, District 113

• Vicki Lopez

• Alberto Perosch

State Representative, District 118

• Juan Fernandez-Barquin

• Francisco Rodriguez

• Daniel Sotelo

State Representative, District 119

• Ashley Alvarez

• Rob Gonzalez

• Juan Carlos Porras

• Jose Soto

• Ricky Tsay

State Representative, District 120

• Robert Scott Allen

• Rhonda Rebman Lopez

• James “Jim” V. Mooney Jr

REGISTERED DEMOCRATS ONLY

United States Senator

• Ricardo De La Fuente

• Val Demings

• Brian Rush

• William Sanchez

  See Also

  Broward Race for Judge Includes Candidates Denise Kistner, Lorena Mastrarrigo and Tamar Hamilton | Daily Business ReviewSee Every Miami-Dade, Broward Candidate on Florida's 2022 Primary BallotBroward Race For Judge Includes Candidates Denise Kistner, Lorena Mastrarrigo And Tamar HamiltonBroward Race For Judge Includes Candidates Denise Kistner, Lorena Mastrarrigo And Tamar Hamilton

READ NEXT: There’s a crowd of 15 running for Congress in Broward/Palm Beach district

Representative in Congress, District 24

• Kevin C. Harris

• Frederica Wilson

Representative in Congress, District 25

• Robert Millwee

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Representative in Congress, District 27

• Angel Montalvo

• Ken Russell

• Annette Taddeo

Representative in Congress, District 28

• Robert Asencio

• Juan Paredes

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

• Charlie Crist

• Cadance Daniel

• Nicole “Nikki” Fried

• Robert L. Willis

READ MORE: Who are all these other people running for governor of Florida?

Attorney General

• Aramis Ayala

• Jim Lewis

• Daniel Uhlfelder

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Naomi Esther Blemur

• J. R. Gaillot

• Ryan Morales

READ NEXT: What to know about South Florida’s state House and Senate races on the Aug. 23 ballot

State Senator, District 34

• Pitchie “Peachy” Escarment

• Erhabor Ighodaro

• Shevrin “Shev” Jones

State Representative, District 106

• Jordan W. Leonard

• Gustavo Ortega

State Representative, District 107

• Christopher Benjamin

• Wancito Francius

State Representative, District 108

• Michael A. Etienne

• Roy Hardemon

• Dotie Joseph

State Representative, District 109

• James Bush III

• Ashley V. Gantt

State Representative, District 113

• Andrés Althabe

• Alessandro “A.J.” D’Amico

State Representative, District 119

• James A. Cueva

• Gabriel Gonzalez

State Representative, District 120

• Adam Gentle

• Daniel “Dan” Horton-Diaz

NONPARTISAN (ALL VOTERS)

State Senator, District 34

• Pitchie “Peachy” Escarment

• Erhabor Ighodaro

• Shevrin “Shev” Jones

State Senator, District 35

• Lauren Book

• Barbara Sharief

State Representative, District 108

• Michael A. Etienne

• Roy Hardemon

• Dotie Joseph

State Representative, District 109

• James Bush III

• Ashley V. Gantt

  See Also

  Hwy 24 Colorado Accident Today, Broward Race For Judge Includes Candidates Denise Kistner, Lorena Mastrarrigo And Tamar Hamilton

Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Group 3

• Teressa Maria Cervera

• Lody Jean

Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Group 20

• Brenda Guerrero

• Robert Watson

Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Group 34

• Mark Blumstein

• Ariel Rodriguez

Circuit Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Group 52

• Jason Edward Bloch

• Oscar Rodriguez-Fonts

Circuit Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit, Group 9

• Lauren Melissa Alperstein

• Andrea Ruth Gundersen

Circuit Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit, Group 14

• Alejandro “Alex” Arreaza

• William W. “Bill” Haury Jr

Circuit Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit, Group 23

• Gary M. Farmer Jr

• Rhoda Sokoloff

• Tania Maria Williams

Circuit Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit, Group 51

• Tamar N. Hamilton

• Denise Kistner

• Lorena Mastrarrigo

Miami-Dade County Judge, Group 5

• Renier Diaz de la Portilla

• Fred Seraphin

Miami-Dade County Judge, Group 19

• Lissette De La Rosa

• Jeffrey Kolokoff

Miami-Dade County Judge, Group 42

• Alicia Garcia Priovolos

• Scott Janowitz

Broward County Court Judge, Group 15

• Michael G. Ahearn

• Chris Marion Brown

• Suzette O. Hyde

Broward County Court Judge, Group 26

• Mardi Anne Levey Cohen

• Kaysia Monica Earley

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 2

• Wallace Aristide

• Monique Barley-Mayo

• Marleine Bastien

• Philippe Bien-Aime

• Joe Celestin

• William DC Clark

READ MORE: Four Haitian Americans running in Miami-Dade election, raising worries of a split vote

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 6

• Kevin Marino Cabrera

• Dariel Fernandez

• Jorge Fors

• Victor Vazquez

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 8

• Alicia Arellano

• Karen Baez-Wallis

• Danielle Cohen Higgins

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 10

• Martha Bueno

• Susan Khoury

• Anthony Rodriguez

• Julio C. Sanchez

Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 12

• Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez

• Sophia Lacayo

Miami-Dade School Board Member, District 2

• Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall

• La-Shanda West

Miami-Dade School Board Member, District 4

• Roberto J. Alonso

• Maribel Balbin

• Kevin Menendez Macki

Miami-Dade School Board Member, District 6

• Sandra Manzieri

• Maria Teresa “Mari Tere” Rojas

Miami-Dade School Board Member, District 8

• Monica Colucci

• Marta Perez

Broward School Board, District 1

• Marie Murray Martin

• Rodney “Rod” Velez

• Paul Wiggins

Broward School Board, District 4

• Lori Alhadeff

• Kimberly Coward

Broward School Board, District 5

• Antonio Burgess

• Ruth Carter-Lynch

• Clifford Coach Sr.

• Jeff Holness

• Gloria Ann Lewis

• Nathalie Lynch-Walsh

• Jimmy Witherspoon

Broward School Board, District 6

• Chris Canter

• Brenda Fam

• Steven R. Julian

• Merick Lewin

Broward School Board, District 7

• Merceydes Morassi

• Nora Rupert

Broward School Board, At Large, Seat 8

• Raymond E. Adderly III

• Mourice “Mo” Hylton

• Donna Pilger Korn

• Allen Zeman

Broward School Board Ballot Question

• Funding School Safety and Essential Educational Related Expenditures through a One Mill Property Tax Levy

Golden Beach Referendum

• Bond referendum to construct Wellness Center and other Capital Improvements

Key Biscayne Mayor

• Fausto B. Gomez

• Katie Petros

• Jose I. “Joe” Rasco

Miami Referendum

• Proposed Amendment to Riverside Wharf lease on City’s waterfront property on the River

Miami Beach Referendum 1

• Naming Park Between Alton Road/West Avenue, From Sixth to Eighth Street as “Canopy Park”

Miami Beach Referendum 2

• RSA Article I: Board of Adjustment - Changing “Architecture” Membership Category from Permissible to Required Membership

Miami Beach Referendum 3

• Charter Section 6.03: Creating Additional Qualification Requirement for City Commission Candidates: Proof of Residency Documents

Miami Beach Referendum 4

• RPS1 District / RPS2 District FAR Incentive to Convert Remaining Apartment Hotel Uses to Residential Use

Miami Beach Referendum 5

• Alton Road Gateway Area Increase Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 2.0 to 2.6

Miami Beach Referendum 6

• Charter Section 1.03(c): Voter Approval to Aggregate Floor Area When Vacating Streets/Conveying Public Property

Miami Gardens, Residential Area Council Member, Seat 2

• Raymond Carvil

• Lisa C. Davis

• Reginald Leon

Miami Gardens, Residential Area Council Member, Seat 4

• Mykita Cherry-Prime

• Wiren “Chuck” Norris

• Katrina Wilson

Miami Gardens, Residential Area Council Member, Seat 6

• Robert Stephens

• André Williams

Miami Gardens Referendum

• Amending Residential Areas by Ordinance