Runoff to decide representation for Seat 4
Miami Gardens voters will decide who represents Seat 4 on the City Council in a Nov. 3 runoff between educator Mykita Cherry-Prime and youth football leader and finance professional Roderick “Rod” Mack. The two advanced after finishing first and second, respectively, in the city’s three-candidate election held Aug. 18.
Cherry-Prime led the August contest with 45.9% of the vote, while Mack received approximately 40.5%. Former candidate Angela Maria Wynter finished third and did not advance to the runoff.
| Candidate | August 18 result |
|---|---|
| Mykita Cherry-Prime | 45.9% |
| Roderick “Rod” Mack | ≈40.5% |
| Angela Maria Wynter | Third place (did not advance) |
Context and candidate backgrounds
The Seat 4 contest carries added attention because the seat is currently occupied on an interim basis. Dr. LaToya Porter was appointed by Mayor Rodney Harris last week after Councilwoman Katrina Wilson, who was term-limited, resigned to run for the Miami-Dade school board. Porter is a Seat 4 resident and works in the Miami-Dade schools system as a literacy coach and testing chair at Scott Lake Elementary School. She also served on the city’s Charter Revision Commission.
Both runoff candidates bring ties to the community. Cherry-Prime is a teacher and department chair at Miami Norland Senior High School. She previously ran for this council seat in 2022 and has cited long-term community service — including work with the FAMU National Alumni Association and local nonprofits — as central to her campaign.
“The strategy is always the same: to lead with service and to get out and speak to the constituents and the residents in Miami Gardens,” Cherry-Prime said after the August results. “I grew up in the city. I live in Miami Gardens. I work in Miami Gardens. I play in Miami Gardens, so it’s really about being accessible.”
Mack, a former University of Miami linebacker, runs under the campaign slogan “A Game Plan for a Brighter Future.” He has more than two decades of experience in finance and leads the Miami Gardens Ravens youth football program, combining community sports leadership with a private-sector finance background.
What the runoff means for residents
The Nov. 3 runoff will determine who holds Seat 4 for the remainder of the term and will shape the council’s approach to local priorities including public safety, education partnerships and youth programming — areas where both candidates have emphasized experience. Voters should expect campaigns to intensify over the coming weeks as both candidates seek to expand support beyond their August bases.
- Election date: Nov. 3 (runoff)
- Primary results: Cherry-Prime 45.9%, Mack ≈40.5%
- Interim councilmember: Dr. LaToya Porter, appointed after Katrina Wilson resigned
With the contest narrowing to two, voter turnout will be a decisive factor. Runoff elections historically draw fewer voters than general elections, placing emphasis on campaign outreach, community events and get-out-the-vote efforts. Both campaigns have already signaled plans to continue door-knocking and direct engagement with residents.
As the campaign moves forward, voters and community organizations will be watching how each candidate translates personal and professional experience into specific policy proposals for Miami Gardens. The seat’s occupant will participate in decisions that affect local services and neighborhood priorities, making the Nov. 3 outcome consequential for residents across the district.
More information on polling locations and candidate forums typically becomes available through the city and the Miami-Dade County Elections Department as the runoff approaches.
