Democracy Is a Trickster in Race for Property Appraiser

Former state Sen. Gwen Margolis, age 74, is one unhappy politician. And she’ll tell you why: A runoff is on the way for the position of Miami-Dade’s first elected property appraiser, despite her 72,000-vote lead over Pedro Garcia. “It’s one of the weirdest situations I’ve ever seen,” she says. “It’s...

By Natalie O'Neill

November 6, 2008

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Former state Sen. Gwen Margolis, age 74, is one unhappy politician. And she’ll tell you why: A runoff is on the way for the position of Miami-Dade’s first elected property appraiser, despite her 72,000-vote lead over Pedro Garcia. “It’s one of the weirdest situations I’ve ever seen,” she says. “It’s something that needs legal clarification.” This all comes at a time when, thanks to our friend The Housing Crisis, the position is extra-important.

The showdown is expected to cost the county $3 million and is unusual, considering the numbers. (Technically Margolis earned 42, not 50 percent of the vote.) It’s no surprise the outcome will rest in legal interpretation, and Margolis has already been talking with County Attorney R. A. Cuevas Jr. State law would likely point in her favor, while a county ordinance could override that.

Oh, democracy.

--Natalie O'Neill

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