Controversy Surrounds Miami-Dade District 6 Commission Appointment

Miami, Florida – The deadline for candidates seeking appointment to the Miami-Dade Commission’s District 6 seat closed at noon Monday. The seat was left vacant after Kevin Marino Cabrera resigned last week to become the U.S. Ambassador to Panama.

West Miami Vice Mayor Natalie Milian Orbis has emerged as the frontrunner for the position. Observers note that her close ties to Cabrera, as his chief of staff’s wife, may give her an edge. The appointment could last over two years and would enable the holder to have significant advantages in the upcoming 2026 election if a special election is not called.

Potential candidates also include State Sen. Bryan Avila, West Miami Mayor Eric Diaz-Padron, and Francisco Petrirena, director of Miami’s government relations department. However, Milian Orbis is the only candidate who has publicly expressed interest in the commission seat.

After Cabrera’s resignation, Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez took immediate action, instructing the commission’s auditor to outline a process for District 6 residents to apply for the appointment. Milian Orbis applied on April 14, ahead of the official announcement.

Milian Orbis has two decades of public service experience, beginning as an executive administrator at the Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineers before holding various roles in county commission offices.

To be considered for the appointment, candidates needed to fill out a simple application including an oath and proof of residency, with optional submission of a resume and a short video or audio file. The application window was notably brief, leaving many questioning the need for such a quick turnaround.

This appointment process offers a potential second chance for former Coral Gables Commissioner Jorge Fors, who garnered 39% of the vote in the 2022 elections. While Fors’s interest in the position remains unclear, his previous voter support may be a factor in discussions.

Rodriguez emphasized the urgency of filling the seat, stating, “District 6 deserves representation in the most expeditious manner possible. There are too many critical conversations, decisions, and votes that need to be made in the coming weeks and months.” The county commission meeting to review submissions is set for Tuesday, May 6.