A Bold Bid for Change in Miami
Michael A. Hepburn has officially launched his campaign to become the next mayor of Miami. If elected, he will make history as the city’s first Black mayor. Hepburn, a longtime community activist and advocate, wants to bring a fresh approach to Miami politics by tackling corruption, increasing transparency, and addressing key issues like affordable housing.
“We have the power to make a difference if we choose to. I think a lot of people forget that until we remind them,” Hepburn said.
The November municipal election features five candidates, making the race highly competitive. Hepburn believes his vision for the city and deep community ties will help him stand out.
Reforming Miami’s Political System
Hepburn has centered his campaign on transparency and voter empowerment. One of his main proposals is a public financing program called “democracy dollars.” This initiative would give each registered voter $20 to support a candidate of their choice, reducing the influence of lobbyists and special interests.
He also wants to introduce participatory budgeting, allowing residents to directly decide how portions of the city budget are spent. In addition, he plans to make all government calendars public so residents can track meetings and policy discussions.
“Residents will literally be able to decide how to spend a portion of that budget to directly facilitate the services that they need in their communities,” Hepburn explained.
Addressing Affordable Housing
A key issue in Hepburn’s platform is affordable housing. He plans to introduce a master plan that expands workforce housing, lowers property taxes to a 60-year low, and preserves aging affordable units.
Although the Miami mayor has no voting power on the city commission, Hepburn intends to appoint a city manager aligned with his policies. This approach would allow him to implement his vision effectively.
“This movement that we’re pushing forward – it’s not just me. I need help. I need other commissioners that believe in the things that we’re talking about in order to actually bring in a new day,” he said.
A Life Shaped by Miami
Born and raised in Miami, Hepburn’s experiences shaped his commitment to public service. Growing up in Little Haiti in the 1980s, he witnessed economic struggles and violence firsthand. One traumatic memory remains with him: seeing a man shot and killed at a phone booth near his home when he was in fourth grade.
“You definitely start understanding early that, one, I hope everybody doesn’t live this way, and if they do, we collectively have to come together to make this better, because no one is coming into these neighborhoods to save us,” Hepburn said.
Determined to rise above these challenges, Hepburn immersed himself in community projects and student leadership. In high school, he won the prestigious Miami Herald Silver Knight Award for his efforts to revitalize his neighborhood park.
“You know that ‘fierce urgency of now’ that Martin Luther King used to talk about? I felt that early,” he said. “I didn’t necessarily know if I was going to make it to 20 years old. I grew up with that type of urgency.”
From Corporate Executive to Public Servant
After graduating from Florida International University in 2008, Hepburn spent over a decade working in executive roles with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and major organizations like the NFL and Miami Heat. However, his passion for advocacy led him to enter politics.
He ran for Congress in 2018 but did not gain enough traction. In 2021, he ran for the City of Miami Commission but struggled to connect with voters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, Hepburn remained committed to public service.
“I was at a place in my life where I just felt it was time for us to stop defending democracy and actually fix it,” he said.
A Grassroots Campaign Focused on Voter Engagement
Now running for mayor, Hepburn is adopting a grassroots approach. He has pledged not to accept special-interest funds and has personally invested over $100,000 in his campaign. His goal is to mobilize young voters and Black residents, groups that have historically been underrepresented in Miami elections.
“Without giving out our plan, I have a pathway to the votes I need because of the people I currently talk to, the people I previously talked to, and the people that I’m reaching out to,” Hepburn said. “That’s how you stay competitive.”
Hepburn believes his unique approach sets him apart from competitors like former District 2 Commissioner Ken Russell and real estate professional June Savage. He also faces opposition from Ijamyn Joseph Gray, a youth empowerment advocate, and Maxwell Martinez, a digital entrepreneur.
The election will take place on November 4, with a possible runoff on December 9 if no candidate secures a majority.
