Surfside residents will decide on a new Mayor and four Town Commissioners in elections taking place on March 5, 2024. Voters are also faced with two significant ballot questions that will impact zoning regulations and the scheduling of future municipal elections. The contest for Mayor features three familiar candidates: Vice Mayor Tina Paul, former Town Manager and Commissioner Mark Blumstein, and former Mayor Shlomo Danzinger. Current Mayor Charles Burkett is departing from his role, paving the way for a new leader.
Paul, who has served on the Town Commission twice since 2016, highlights her achievements, which include initiating measures for condominium safety repairs, establishing a Community Relations Board and Youth Council, and improving local parks and drainage systems. As a candidate for Mayor, she emphasizes her commitment to public safety, fiscal responsibility, transparent governance, and inclusive leadership. Her platform seeks to maintain Surfside’s character, promote environmental sustainability, support local businesses, and enhance residents’ quality of life.
Blumstein brings a diverse background to the race, having served as a Circuit Court Judge from 2017 to 2023 and as Town Manager for a brief period in 2024. His tenure as Town Manager ended controversially, with his dismissal attributed to accusations of unprofessional conduct. Should he win, Blumstein intends to focus on financial integrity, adherence to legal standards, and restoring public trust. He plans to address local flooding and sewage problems, reduce utility costs, and improve public safety through collaborative regional efforts.
Danzinger, who briefly held the mayoral office before Burkett, is campaigning to regain his position. His previous term was marred by allegations of incivility, but he asserts that he would prioritize stability and competence in town governance if elected again. He aims to retain experienced staff, ensure fiscal discipline, and enhance community amenities while resisting overdevelopment. Danzinger has raised $39,000 for his campaign, with expenditures around $23,000.
The Town Commission election features eight candidates vying for four available seats, with voters allowed to select up to four candidates. Incumbent Gerardo Vildostegui, a lawyer and legal professor, is seeking re-election and emphasizes transparent governance and public safety. Other candidates include former Commissioner Fred Landsman, Donna Benmergui, Yonathan Berdugo, William Blumenkranz, Jocelyn Kinzer, Andrea Travani, and Dovid Weingot.
In addition to the candidates, residents will vote on two important referendums. The first question proposes requiring a 4-1 supermajority vote from the Town Commission for any zoning changes affecting single-family homes in the H30A and H30B districts. This measure would create a higher threshold for amending or repealing such zoning laws, as it would require support from four Commission members and approval from at least 60% of voters in a referendum.
The second referendum seeks to change the timing of Surfside’s municipal elections, moving them from March to November of even-numbered years starting in 2028. This adjustment aims to align municipal elections with the General Election cycle, with any necessary runoff elections scheduled for the second Tuesday of December. Officials elected in 2026 would serve extended terms until November 2028 to facilitate this transition.
As Surfside heads to the polls, the outcome will not only determine the leadership of the town but also shape its governance and development for years to come.
