Miami-Dade's progressive mayor on track to beat conservative challengers

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is on her way to four more years in office – with a mandate from voters to expand rapid mass transit.

• Levine Cava, a prominent Democrat in a technically non-partisan race, declared victory against her conservative challengers.

• Voters also overwhelmingly approved a non-binding referendum calling on county officials to expand passenger rail in Miami-Dade.

Driving the news: The mayoral election was one of several races on the ballot – from Miami-Dade sheriff up to U.S. Senate – though many candidates must run again in the November general election.

Here's a rundown of some of last night's results, according to unofficial tallies from the elections department

Miami-Dade County Commission

• District 3 Commissioner Keon Hardemon was on track to defeat former Commissioner Audrey Edmonson with about 60% of the vote.
• D7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado is poised for a November runoff election against former Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner after neither received 50% of the vote.
• D11 Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, who was appointed to the seat in 2022, appeared to avoid a runoff with about 57% of the vote.

Miami-Dade Sheriff

• For the first time in nearly 60 years, Miami-Dade voters are electing a sheriff to oversee the police department.
• Democratic candidate James Reyes, the Miami-Dade chief of public safety, was on track to face Republican Rosanna "Rosie" Cordero-Stutz in November with 46% of the vote, with nearly all precincts reporting.

Other races

• Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris is cruising to re-election with 68% of the vote.
• Coral Gables voters decided against annexing Little Gables , a neighboring enclave.
• In Miami Beach, the city's plans to build a new fire station in a public park was approved.

Go deeper: See the full election results here