The Race For Miami-Dade Commission District 1
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida's primary election is just around the corner and seven Miami-Dade commissioners face re-election, with a November runoff if necessary.
In what could be their final television interviews before Election Day, Barbara Jordan and Shirley Gibson both spoke to CBS4'S Gio Benitez and had messages for voters who will go to the polls and pick one of them to represent Miami-Dade's District 1 for the next four years.
When asked what the biggest difference between her and Shirley Gibson, Barbara Jordan replied, "Well I think the biggest difference is the different background in terms of experience."
Jordan is the sitting commissioner in District 1 and has held the job for eight years. Shirley Gibson was the mayor of Miami Gardens for 9 years. She also pointed to her own experience.
"I believe it's my track record of really change, working out of change into success, because we were founded at the City of Miami Gardens really on change," said Gibson.
Gio asked both candidates what they think is the biggest problem in District 1.
Jordan said the struggling job market affects her constituents dramatically.
"We all are suffering from that, the fact that we need to bring more jobs into the community, I've been very effective in doing that, but I think there's also a huge challenge in the City of Miami Gardens with the escalation of violent crimes, and the murder rate that has gone up."
Gibson said one of the bigger problems is that the district has a diverse constituency that is not unified.
"My job is to build that coalition, so that we all feel that we belong in District 1."
So why should voters elect Gibson or Jordan?
"Voters should elect Shirley Gibson based on her success, and her leadership as mayor of the City of Miami Gardens, the first mayor I add, the fact that all promises made were promises kept," said Gibson.
Jordan, however, said voters should re-elect her.
"I've created more jobs since I've been in office because I have promoted projects which really look at hiring people within the community," responded Jordan.
Voters will make their choice August 14th.
Click here for more information about Election Day in South Florida.
