Cuban influencer Alexander Otaola rejected the results of the Miami-Dade mayoral elections, which this Tuesday gave a resounding victory to the current mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, with 60 percent of the votes, eliminating the need for a runoff.
Otaola came in third place with 12 percent of the votes, behind the Republican mayor of Miami Lakes, Manny Cid, who received 22 percent of the votes.
"We do not recognize the results of these elections until every vote is counted," Otaola said to his followers in a defiant speech after the results were announced.
"If there is no fraud, I will acknowledge the result, but if there is even the slightest doubt of irregularity, we have the legal right to demand," he added.
"We have won, because today we are all winners, because we have achieved what traditional politicians have not," he added.
The candidate for the county mayor urged his supporters to join that request for a vote recount.
"I ask everyone to be part of that recount, to be present in that recount, and for everyone in Miami-Dade not to settle for the political mediocrity that governs them," he stated.
Otaola expressed his discontent not only with the results but also with what he described as a lack of real support from the Republican Party and from the Cuban-American representatives whom he reminds that he himself supported in the past.
However, the media influencer said he feels happy and proud of his voters and the movement he has created.
"When we entered the campaign, it was a unique experience; we knew we were going to face all the most powerful and dark forces. We are not afraid, and today we celebrate that we are fearless people," she emphasized.
Otaola said that he got people who felt political apathy to go out and vote and that new voters registered. He also assured that exit polls showed him as a finalist for a runoff.
He also said that his political campaign has been the subject of attacks and disdain since the beginning.
"The message that we carry from our platform has been ignored even by many who claim to represent us," he pointed out.
The popular host did not miss the chance to refer to the electoral winner and described it as "impossible" for Daniela Levin Cava, whom he said has done "a terrible job" in the last four years, to receive "more votes than when no one knew her."
"God bless Miami-Dade. God bless democracy. And God bless you and freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, we have won and we demand a recount vote by vote," concluded the influencer before a group of followers who at times chanted "fraud, fraud!".
In statements given later to journalist Javier Díaz from Univision, Otaola reiterated his right to demand a recount and affirmed that on the morning of this same Wednesday, he would get to work.
In a very different attitude from that of the Cuban influencer, Manny Cid showed a willingness to accept the outcome.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank the thousands of residents of 305 who placed their trust in me. Although we were not victorious tonight, the hope of creating a Miami-Dade that works for all of us remains alive," Cid expressed to his supporters.
Daniella Levine Cava, for her part, has expressed еuphoria about her victory.
“We did it! I feel honored to have earned the trust of our residents to serve another four years as their mayor. Together, we achieved a decisive victory, demonstrating that when we unite for progress, we are unstoppable. Let’s celebrate tonight; tomorrow, we will continue the work,” she wrote on X.
Daniella Levine Cava's overwhelming advantage was not only reflected in the ballots but also in her fundraising ability, as she managed to raise over 1.4 million dollars for her campaign, compared to the 312,915 dollars raised by Otaola.
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