Daniella Levine Cava | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8thMayor of Miami-Dade County | |
| Assumed office November 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos A. Giménez |
| Member of theMiami-Dade County Commission from the 8th district | |
| In office November 5, 2014 – November 17, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Lynda Bell |
| Succeeded by | Danielle Cohen Higgins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Daniella Levine (1955-09-14)September 14, 1955 (age 70) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Robert Cava |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Yale University (BA) Columbia University (JD,MSW) |
Daniella Levine Cava (/ləˈviːnˈkɑːvə/lə-VEENKAH-və; born September 14, 1955) is an American lawyer, social worker, and politician who has served as the mayor ofMiami-Dade County,Florida since 2020. Previously, she was aMiami-Dade County Commissioner from 2014 until herelection as mayor in 2020.[1][2] She was re-elected in2024.[3] She is the first woman to serve as mayor of Miami-Dade County.[4]
Daniella Levine was born on September 14, 1955, inNew York City. She travelled throughoutLatin America in her youth, including toRio de Janeiro andSantiago.[5][6] She later attendedYale University, where she served as the President of the Student Council, graduating in 1977 with aBachelor of Arts in psychology. She later attendedColumbia University, receiving aJuris Doctor in 1981 and aMaster of Social Work in 1983. She moved toMiami in 1980 with her husband, Dr. Robert Cava.[7][8]
Upon her arrival to Miami in 1980, Levine Cava became an attorney with Legal Services of Greater Miami, later leaving in 1985 after becoming legal director for theGuardian Ad Litem program, a court-run child welfare legal program. During her time as a lawyer, she served on theFlorida Bar Committee on Legal Needs of Children. In 1992, followingHurricane Andrew, she was appointed as theMiami-Dade County program manager for theFlorida Department of Children and Families, holding the position until 1994. The following year, she founded a youth outreach program withBarry University.[1][9]
In 1996, Levine Cava founded the Human Services Coalition, later renamed Catalyst Miami, which, through partnerships with theUnited Way and local businesses, aids low-income families with monetary advice. At Catalyst Miami, she launched the Prosperity Campaign which helps people increase their income and savings, allowing families to build financial security. She served as the president and chief executive officer of Catalyst Miami until 2013.[10]
In 2013, Levine Cava, aDemocrat, ran against incumbent Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner Lynda Bell, aRepublican. The district includes much of southern Miami-Dade County, includingsuburban localities likeWest Kendall andCutler Bay, and agricultural communities likeHomestead andRedland. Levine Cava entered the race in 2014.[8] Levine Cava narrowly defeated Bell in the August 26 election, receiving 52% of the vote to Bell's 48%.[11]
In 2016, Levine Cava sponsored legislation in the Miami-Dade County Commission that requires local candidates for office to register when they raise money forpolitical action committees.[12]
Levine Cava won re-election in 2018, receiving over 61% of the vote.[13]
In November 2019, Levine Cava published a letter in theMiami Herald criticizing theFlorida State Legislature for diverting funds for affordable housing. This diverted nearly $1.4 billion to balance the state budget.[14] She also created the Infill Housing Program which aims to build affordable housing on County-owned land in her district.[15]
During her tenure, Levine Cava has advocated for the protection of the environment. In 2017, she sponsored the resolution to support theParis climate agreement. In response to the presence of faecal bacteria inBiscayne Bay in early 2020, she also sponsored legislation to improve water testing in the area.[16][17]
In 2018, Levine Cava created an initiative to protect pedestrians and bikers from harm's way. The initiative featured a plan for engaging with the business community to create incentives that could train people to be better drivers and an agenda for improving biking accessibility on roads.[18]
Levine Cava gained endorsements from labor unions including theService Employees International Union, and theAFL–CIO, and environmental groups like theSierra Club.[19][20]
In early 2020, Levine Cava announced her run for the2020 Miami-Dade County mayoral election, to succeed incumbent MayorCarlos Giménez, who was term-limited.[21] She earned the endorsements of many major organizations and newspapers, including the Miami Herald, and received the endorsement of many prominent Democrats, including congresswomenDebbie Mucarsel-Powell andDonna Shalala.[22][23] Levine Cava has also received significant funding fromDonald Sussman, ahedge fund executive who was the largest single donor toHillary Clinton in the2016 United States presidential election.[24]
In the August 18 primary, Levine Cava placed second behind fellow CommissionerEsteban Bovo, receiving 28% to Bovo's 29%, with former County MayorAlex Penelas trailing in third with 24%.[25] Because neither Levine Cava or Bovo received over 50% of the vote, this triggered arunoff election between the two candidates, which was held on November 3, 2020.[26] Levine Cava won the runoff election with 54% of the vote.[27]
In late June, Levine Cava garnered national attention for her response to theSurfside condominium building collapse.[28]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniella Levine Cava | 9,078 | 51.97 | |
| Republican | Lynda Bell (incumbent) | 8,390 | 48.03 | |
| Total votes | 17,468 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniella Levine Cava (incumbent) | 15,289 | 61.16 | |
| Republican | Gus Barreiro | 5,431 | 21.73 | |
| Democratic | Johnathan Burke | 4,278 | 17.11 | |
| Total votes | 24,998 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Esteban Bovo | 122,135 | 29.28 | |
| Democratic | Daniella Levine Cava | 120,089 | 28.79 | |
| Democratic | Alex Penelas | 102,338 | 24.53 | |
| Independent | Xavier Suarez | 43,831 | 10.51 | |
| Democratic | Monique Nicole Barley | 22,823 | 5.47 | |
| Republican | Ludmilla Domond | 5,230 | 1.25 | |
| Write-in | 715 | 0.17 | ||
| Total votes | 417,161 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniella Levine Cava | 576,647 | 53.97 | |
| Republican | Esteban Bovo | 491,838 | 46.03 | |
| Total votes | 1,068,485 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniella Levine Cava (incumbent) | 163,597 | 57.93 | |
| Republican | Manny Cid | 64,985 | 23.01 | |
| Republican | Alex Otaola | 33,252 | 11.78 | |
| Republican | Carlos Garín | 8,333 | 2.95 | |
| Republican | Shlomo Danziger | 5,300 | 1.88 | |
| Independent | Eddy Rojas | 3,608 | 1.28 | |
| Libertarian | Miguel Quintero | 3,313 | 1.17 | |
| Total votes | 282,388 | 100.00 | ||
Levine Cava is Jewish.[33] She is married to Robert Cava, a Miami-Dade physician ofItalian Jewish descent. They have two children, Eliza and Edward.[1]
For her non-profit work, Levine Cava has the Most Distinguished Pioneer Award from the National Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth and the Joanne Hayes Democracy and Mentoring Award from the League of Women Voters.[34][independent source needed]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Mayor of Miami-Dade County 2020–present | Incumbent |
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