ELECT A PROVEN LEADER

     Michael was born in Miami-Dade County and has lived here almost his entire life.  He moved permanently to the City of Miami Beach in 1992 while he was a law student.  Michael attended local schools and is a graduate of the University of Miami and the University of Miami School of Law where graduated with honors cum laude.  Góngora is also a Florida Bar board certified attorney in condominium and planned development law.  He works to help condominium residents live in harmony with one another.  He previously was recognized by Florida Trend Magazine in their Legal Elite issue and is a sought after speaker on condominium and other legal topics.

     Michael Góngora was first elected to office in 2006 as Miami Beach Commissioner and was then elected again two more times in 2009 and 2017. During his three terms in office, he served as either Chair or Member of all three commission committees – Finance & Economic Resiliency; Land Use & Sustainability; and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee.  Góngora cares deeply about our city and is a long-term community activist having chaired the Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches (ECOMB), Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce and Miami Beach Bar Association. In 2022, he was elected by his peers for a third time to serve as President of the Miami Beach Bar Association in 2023.

     Góngora is a long time Miami Beach resident and business owner and has served in numerous civic, charitable, business and legal communities throughout Miami-Dade County. He has worked closely with community organizations such as the Little Lighthouse Foundation, and Equality Florida to name a few. He is also a well-known advocate and speaker on environmental causes having created and chaired the City of Miami Beach’s Sustainability Committee. The purpose of the Sustainability Committee is to identify and promote policies with the City of Miami Beach aimed at achieving a sustainable environment, as well as minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits to the environment.  In 2021, he sponsored a Fertilizer Ordinance to help protect our waterways and keep them clean.

     Góngora has been the recipient of many community awards.  Shortly after his first election in December 2006, Góngora was chosen as Wire Magazine Person of the Year. In 2007,  Góngora was a City of Miami Beach Key Recipient for his Outstanding Service to the Community. In 2009, Góngora was a recipient for Business Leader Magazine South Florida Movers & Shakers.  In 2011, Góngora was named one of the Top Ten Innovators in Miami-Dade County by the Sunpost newspaper. In 2015, he was invited by President Obama to participate in the President’s Hispanic Heritage Month reception at the White House.  In 2020 he was voted as the Best Politician in Miami-Dade County by the readers of South Florida Gay News and recognized as the city’s first elected LGBTQ leader.