Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s proposed “family-friendly improvements” are enjoying broad support among South Florida residents, according to a new poll commissioned by the developers and conducted by MDW Communications.

The poll, obtained by Florida Politics and taken among 305 likely Miami Beach municipal voters Jan. 14-19, found nearly 60% of respondents supporting the proposal, including more than 30% who strongly support it. Fewer than 30% of respondents say they disapprove.

And most residents are aware of the plans, further signaling not just support, but informed support. Of those polled, more than 2/3 say they have heard information on the proposal, with just a third saying they’ve heard nothing about it.

Fontainebleau Development, led by Chair and CEO Jeffrey Soffer, is planning a sweeping rework of the hotel’s outdoor pool deck aimed at attracting more families, including a proposed water-park concept featuring 11 waterslides — one reportedly about 120 feet tall — along with other pool-deck upgrades.

Poll results are important, as the project requires approval from the city’s Historic Preservation Board because it sits on a historically significant site. The Preservation Board reviews alteration plans on designated historic properties.

The Fontainebleau, designed by architect Morris Lapidus and opened in 1954, is one of Miami Beach’s signature MiMo-era landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The project is carefully planned to “responsibly repurpose” outdoor areas of the hotel without expanding its footprint or altering its unique architectural character.

“Under the leadership of the Mayor and the City Commission, Miami Beach continues to evolve as a destination for visitors of all ages, and this vision reflects an increased emphasis on family-oriented experiences that align with the City’s broader tourism goals,” reads a note from developers shared along with poll results.

“The proposed enhancements are private amenities for hotel guests only, and the pool deck access will remain restricted, as it is today. Given the focus on hotel guest experience, the project is not expected to generate additional traffic as guests will be remaining on property.”

The project would repurpose the resort’s existing amenity footprint while integrating features designed to complement the existing historic pool deck and honoring the entire property’s iconic architecture.

The poll comes just days after the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association urged project approval from the Preservation Board, noting that the project would help maintain Miami Beach as a competitive global hospitality destination. The group’s CEO, Curtis Crider, said projects such as this one are “essential” to the city’s economic future.

“On behalf of the hotel community, we believe this initiative strengthens the city’s competitiveness, supports sustainable economic growth, and reflects the evolution necessary to ensure Miami Beach’s continued success,” he wrote last week in a letter to the Preservation Board.

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack already knows who she wants to win a newly open race neighboring her own North Florida district.

The Gainesville Republican is endorsing Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn.

“I don’t back candidates who seek permission slips. I back fighters. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Evan Power for Congress,” Cammack said.

“Washington is broken because too many politicians cling to the status quo. Evan isn’t one of them. He’s a proven conservative leader who fights bureaucracy, stands up to the radical left, and wins. I’ve seen him push back against government overreach, defend Florida values, and hold firm under pressure.”

Power, a Tallahassee Republican, filed last week to run in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District a day after Dunn announced he will not seek another term. Cammack first won election in 2020 to Congress to represent Florida’s 3rd Congressional District.

On social media, Power said he was “honored to have the endorsement and support of Kat Cammack.”

It’s an early endorsement for the party leader as other candidates rush to file.

Already, former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross filed in the Republican Primary. Other Republicans, including Austin Rogers, the General Counsel for U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, and Chuck Perdue, the Bay County Talk Collector, are exploring runs.

Cammack said Power’s history working on political issues and campaigns led her to publicly support his candidacy.

“Evan doesn’t just talk about freedom, the Constitution, and fiscal responsibility, he delivers. He knows our job is to serve the people, not grow government, appease special interests, or play nice with the swamp,” she said.

“If you want a rubber stamp, look elsewhere. If you want a conservative who will join me to secure the border, protect parents, defend life, back law enforcement, and put America First then Evan Power is the fighter we need in Congress. I’m all in for Evan Power. I hope you are too.”

Aileen Rodriguez, who is challenging Republican Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal this election cycle, is officially kicking off her campaign next week.

The event will feature U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor as a special guest, as well as a host committee that includes myriad community stakeholders, ranging from elected officials, business leaders and political activists to current and former candidates for office.

The kickoff is Wednesday, Jan. 28, at J.C. Newman Cigar Company, located at 2701 N. 16th St. in Tampa, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Castor endorsed Rodriguez earlier this month, writing in a letter to the candidate that she appreciates “your willingness to step forward and serve your Hillsborough County neighbors.”

“I value your commitment to listening to residents across our community and ensuring that every neighbor, in every neighborhood, has a voice in our county government,” Castor wrote.

“I look forward to working with you on the issues our residents care most about, including greater access to affordable housing, child care, and public transportation. These priorities are critical to responsible growth, environmental preservation and modernizing infrastructure. Together, we can help build a County government that is more accessible, accountable, and truly reflects the people it serves.”

Rodriguez’s honorary host committee includes, among others, Tampa City Council members Alan Clendenin, Lynn Hurtak, Guido Maniscalco and Luis Viera; Hillsborough County School Board members Nadia Combs, Lynn Gray, Karen Perez and Jessica Vaughn; former Hillsborough County Commissioner and former University of South Florida President Betty Castor; former state Sen. Janet Cruz; former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman; and former Tampa City Council member and current Florida House candidate Mike Suarez.

The host committee includes local business leaders and political insiders such as Erin Aebel, Karen Clay, Bryan Farris, Rick Fernandez, Rick Fifer, Andy Johnson, Neil Manimala, Stephanie Poyner, Hoyt Prindle, Taylor Ralph, Michael Reeves, C.L Townsend and others.

Rodriguez, a former regional director for former Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, filed paperwork last week to run. Rodriguez, a Democrat, is so far the only candidate challenging Wostal.

Rodriguez is a career public relations expert, having run her own PR firm, AR Public Affairs and Strategic Solutions, since 2009. She also worked from 2014 to 2017 as a senior manager of executive affairs for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.

Prior to that, she served as marketing communications director for the Helios Education Foundation and Communications Director for the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Convention.

Rodriguez was previously registered as a Republican but changed her political affiliation in 2019, saying the GOP left her and no longer reflected her values as a Christian.

Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and raised in the Tampa Bay area. Her campaign will focus largely on the affordability crisis that is plaguing not just Hillsborough County residents, but those throughout the state and nation.

Rodriguez also said she would prioritize infrastructure spending and expanded transportation options to break gridlock in Hillsborough County, calling such moves “common sense.”

District 7 is elected countywide, where Republicans hold a voter registration advantage with nearly 292,000 voters compared to nearly 273,000 Democrats. With another more than 217,000 independent voters, Rodriguez’s experience as both a Republican and Democrat could help bridge the voter registration gap by enticing moderate voters.

That could be especially true in a Midterm Election year expected to favor Democrats amid frustration with federal policies under the Donald Trump administration and GOP trifecta in Washington.

Historically, the party in power in the White House suffers losses in Midterm years, and this year is not expected to be any different. But it’s worth noting that in the last Midterm cycle, in 2022, Republicans overperformed in Florida even as they underperformed elsewhere in the nation.

That was also the same year the Hillsborough County Commission flipped red, with the defeat of two incumbent Democrats, shifting the board from a 5-2 Democratic advantage to a 4-3 Republican majority. Wostal was first elected that year, defeating incumbent Democrat Kimberly Overman with more than 52% of the vote despite being significantly underfunded.

The GOP grew that advantage further in 2024, and the board now has just two Democratic members.

As of the end of 2025, Wostal had already raised more than $108,000 for his race, with only about $1,000 of that spent. Because she only just filed to run, Rodriguez has not yet reported any fundraising.

Two Democrats had previously filed to challenge Wostal: former state Rep. Adam Hattersley and Mark Nash, who has sought office unsuccessfully before. Both have since withdrawn from the race.