Miami’s mayoral race just got a little more interesting — and a lot more crowded.
Kenneth James DeSantis, a distant cousin of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has thrown his name into the ring, running as an independent voice promising “integrity over influence” in a city known for its revolving door of corruption and backroom deals.
“No, I’m not close to Uncle Ron,” Kenneth jokes, “but I do believe in honest government.”
The 30-something attorney, who lives near Coral Gables, says he’s running to restore trust in local leadership. “Miami is at a turning point,” he told the Miami Herald. “We deserve leadership free of corruption and bold enough to build a fairer, safer, and more resilient city.”
That’s a noble goal — and a tall order in Miami, where “business as usual” often means favors, friends, and a little creative accounting.
DeSantis, admitted to the Florida Bar in 2022, works at Cole, Scott & Kissane, a Dadeland law firm where he represents small businesses and individuals. His academic résumé — Vanderbilt, Cambridge, and the University of Richmond School of Law — reads like a man who prefers books over backroom deals.
Unlike some of Miami’s seasoned political insiders, he’s refreshingly candid. Speaking to WPLG, DeSantis said he jumped into the race after seeing “the shenanigans” at City Hall. “Just being transparent, open, and honest would be a better situation than we have right now,” he said.
He’s pledged to put all city contracts and spending online — a move that would shine some much-needed sunlight on Miami’s murky finances. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” he added.
DeSantis has also criticized outgoing Mayor Francis Suarez for refusing to disclose his client list, calling transparency “non-negotiable.”
While he admits he’s no expert on affordable housing — the issue du jour in every Miami campaign — DeSantis says the city must partner with developers and protect existing housing stock while cutting red tape in the permitting process. “After redoing my own bathroom, I know how bad the bureaucracy is,” he joked.
On homelessness, he strikes a more empathetic tone than his famous cousin. “We’re all one car accident away from being in that position,” he said. It’s a softer stance than Gov. DeSantis’ no-camping law, which many city leaders have used to clear homeless encampments from public property.
Still, Kenneth James DeSantis knows he’s a long shot. He hasn’t raised much money — under $3,000 — and his campaign signs are as scarce as Miami parking spaces. Some observers even suspect he’s a “plant candidate” meant to siphon votes from other conservatives, including former City Manager Emilio González, who actually has the governor’s endorsement.
But DeSantis insists his campaign is genuine. “The most pressing issue is creating safer neighborhoods, reducing traffic, and fostering real economic growth,” he said. “Addressing these together will strengthen Miami’s quality of life.”
At a recent candidate forum, he was unimpressed with the political veterans. “It was a circus from start to finish,” he said afterward. “From supposedly seasoned candidates, I expected more statesmanship. Some couldn’t even deliver a coherent closing statement.”
That might make him sound naive — or just honest. Either way, Kenneth James DeSantis is getting a crash course in Miami politics. And even if he doesn’t win this time, it sounds like he’s just getting started.
