Candidate Ricardo De Melo Gomes, Cutler Bay Mayor

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, a Florida-licensed building contractor who has lived in Cutler Bay for more than two decades, is a candidate for mayor of the Town of Cutler Bay in the nonpartisan municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The seat is open because Mayor Tim Meerbott is term-limited. Also on the ballot for mayor are Council Member Robert “B.J.” Duncan, Council Member Suzy Lord and entrepreneur Clint Rodriguez, according to the Town Clerk’s list of qualified candidates.

At a Glance

Office: Mayor, Town of Cutler Bay (four-year term)
Area covered: Townwide; the mayor is elected at large and may live anywhere in town
Incumbent? No. The seat is open; Mayor Tim Meerbott is term-limited.
Opponents on ballot: Robert “B.J.” Duncan, Suzy Lord, Clint Rodriguez
Campaign website: Ricardo4Mayor.com

Background

On his campaign website, De Melo Gomes says he has lived in Cutler Bay since 2004, before the town incorporated, and raised his children there. He says he studied architecture in Europe and is licensed as a builder in Florida. In a candidate questionnaire published by the South Dade News Leader on Sept. 11, 2026, he described himself as a Florida Certified Building Contractor with decades of experience in construction, development and infrastructure, and said he has spent years engaging with residents, town officials, county offices and transportation leaders.

He says on his website that he has volunteered with local youth organizations, coached youth soccer and also coached soccer at the college level. He also writes there that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer 16 years ago and told he might have six months to live, and that he chose to fight the disease; he cites the experience as part of his reason for stepping forward.

His wife, Brook De Melo Gomes, ran for Town Council Seat 2 in 2024 and serves on the town’s Education Advisory Committee, according to his campaign site and Florida Politics reporting republished by The Miami Times. In that 2024 race, she lost to Suzy Lord, who is now also running for mayor, by 10,077 votes to 9,201, as Miami’s Community Newspapers reported. De Melo Gomes writes that the two have regularly attended Town Council meetings since 2024.

De Melo Gomes has not previously held elected office in Cutler Bay. He has pledged on his website that, if elected, he would donate his mayoral salary to a registered 501(c)(3) charity serving Cutler Bay residents. The mayor’s annual salary is $21,880.08, according to the Town Clerk.

In Their Own Words

“Cutler Bay should plan for its future instead of reacting to problems.”

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, South Dade News Leader candidate profile, Sept. 11, 2026

“I am not a career politician. I am a builder, father and resident who believes public service should produce measurable results.”

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, Miami Herald candidate questionnaire, Sept. 22, 2026

“Infrastructure should lead responsible growth, not chase irresponsible growth.”

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, South Dade News Leader candidate profile

“Known flooding areas need funded projects on real schedules, not promises for someday.”

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, Miami Herald candidate questionnaire

“I’m not running for a paycheck. I’m running for the Cutler Bay community.”

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, campaign website

Where He Stands on the Issues

Flooding and infrastructure

De Melo Gomes told the South Dade News Leader that flooding and infrastructure would be his first major priority. He said that in his first 90 days he would push for a review of the town’s highest-priority flooding areas, stormwater projects and schedules, so that commitments of town matching funds for outside grants are measured against an objective priority list. He said he would also start reviewing town ordinances that are outdated, unenforced or no longer serve residents.

His campaign platform proposes building on the town’s initial drainage work with a long-term plan, pursuing county, state and federal funding, interconnecting the town’s remaining lakes and water bodies so no single subbasin is overwhelmed in heavy rain, and continuing projects that raise the town’s flood-insurance Community Rating System score so eligible residents keep their discounts. He told the News Leader he supports greener infrastructure such as permeable surfaces, bioswales, tree canopy and shaded “cool corridors.”

Traffic and mobility

He listed traffic and mobility among the town’s top three issues and told the News Leader the town needs safer streets, a pathway toward regional rail, and jobs closer to home. His website proposes traffic calming to reduce cut-through traffic in neighborhoods, pedestrian-activated flashing beacons at key crosswalks, protected bike lanes, an agreement with neighboring municipalities to extend the range of the Freebee on-demand shuttle, and continued advocacy for light rail along the South Dade corridor.

Growth and development

De Melo Gomes told the News Leader that development should be supported by adequate infrastructure without shifting costs to existing residents, that traffic studies should be paid for by developers but conducted by the town before permits are issued, and that high-density development belongs along the U.S. 1 transit corridor. His platform calls for holding the line on existing zoning, with “no unnecessary variances, no spot rezonings, and no exceptions,” and for giving residents a voice early in project review.

In an Oct. 8 Local 10 News report, he said the town needs to balance the interests of homeowners and new residents while making housing more affordable for teachers, and raised questions about how the town will pay for future maintenance tied to new development. Local 10 reported that he also said the town cannot continue fighting development.

Taxes and accountability

He told the News Leader he supports a Charter amendment requiring a supermajority of voters to approve tax increases or long-term bond obligations, subject to applicable law. His website says he would look for expenses to cut to keep the millage rate low and would pursue other revenue, such as selling advertising on Freebee vehicles and generating income from town-owned land. He has proposed regular evening “open mic” sessions with the mayor so working residents can raise concerns outside formal council meetings, and says proposals should be explained in plain language.

Parks, environment and storm readiness

His platform proposes a new Parks and Open Space Master Plan, partnerships with Miami-Dade County and the South Florida Water Management District to expand public access to Biscayne Bay, and support for the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Restoration Project. On hurricane preparedness, he proposes evening and weekend information sessions on storm readiness and Turkey Point evacuation, and investments in backup power and emergency communications for critical facilities.

What This Office Does

Cutler Bay operates under a council-manager form of government. The five-member Town Council, made up of the mayor, the vice mayor and three council members elected from residential seats, sets policy, adopts the annual budget and passes ordinances, according to the town’s Town Council page. All members are elected townwide in nonpartisan elections. The council also serves as the town’s Local Planning Agency, which makes it responsible for the Comprehensive Development Master Plan and land development regulations. A professional town manager runs day-to-day operations.

The mayor is recognized as head of town government, presides over council meetings, appoints all committees and delivers an annual State of the Town address. The council meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 10720 Caribbean Blvd.

About Cutler Bay

Cutler Bay, the former Cutler Ridge area southwest of downtown Miami along Biscayne Bay, incorporated in 2005. The 2020 U.S. Census counted 45,425 residents, and Political Cortadito reported the town has almost 30,000 registered voters. The town lies within Miami-Dade County Commission District 8.

Growth is a central issue in this election. The largest project is the redevelopment of the former Southland Mall into SouthPlace City Center, which Political Cortadito reported developers describe as a roughly $1.5 billion, multi-year project with thousands of residences, retail, a hotel and public spaces. The town is also planning a new Town Hall and civic center. Flooding, traffic, and the cost of living are recurring themes in candidate statements.

The Race

Four candidates qualified for mayor during the July 23 to Aug. 6 qualifying period:

Robert “B.J.” Duncan, who has held Council Seat 1 since 2018 and is term-limited in that seat.
Suzy Lord, who has held Council Seat 2 since 2020 and resigned that seat, effective Nov. 3, 2026, to run for mayor.
Ricardo De Melo Gomes, a licensed building contractor.
Clint Rodriguez, a tech and entertainment entrepreneur.

Cutler Bay’s municipal races were not on the Aug. 18 primary ballot. That primary, as the South Dade News Leader reported on Aug. 21, settled the Miami-Dade County Commission District 8 seat that includes Cutler Bay. If no mayoral candidate wins more than half the vote on Nov. 3, the top two would meet in a runoff on Dec. 1, 2026, according to the Miami-Dade Elections 2026 calendar.

Because Lord resigned to run, her Seat 2 will be filled in a special election on Jan. 26, 2027. Also on the Nov. 3 town ballot are Council Seat 1 (Ricky Fernandez, James Richie Hawkins and Mary Ann Mixon) and Seat 3 (incumbent Richard Ramirez and Rene Gomez).

How to Vote

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vote at your assigned precinct.
Early voting: Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, according to the Town Clerk.
Vote-by-mail: The deadline to request a mail ballot is Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Possible runoff: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026.

Check your registration, precinct and sample ballot through the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.

Community Leadership Alliance is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. This profile is based on public records, candidate statements and news coverage, including the South Dade News Leader. Candidates who wish to submit corrections may contact us through our Contact page.