More than 70% of the nearly $1 million raised by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Vicki Lopez's political action committee comes from real estate executives and developers, according to Florida Division of Elections filings reported by The Real Deal on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Lopez's PAC, Common Sense Government, raised $964,736 in 2026 as she heads into the Tuesday, Aug. 18, primary for the District 5 seat that covers much of Miami Beach, Brickell, downtown Miami, Little Havana and the Miami River. Her separate campaign account raised approximately $244,811 as of late June, putting her combined fundraising above $1.2 million.

Developers, billionaires' companies dominate donor list

The top donors read like a who's-who of South Florida development. Coral Rock Development's Michael Wohl gave $50,000. LLCs affiliated with developer Michael Swerdlow contributed $40,000. Related Group entities tied to billionaire Jorge Pérez gave $25,000, as did Bluenest Development and Ascenty CEO Christopher Torto.

Additional billionaire-linked contributions include $10,000 from a MasTec subsidiary tied to Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and $5,000 from the Miami Dolphins, the NFL franchise owned by Steve Ross. Other developer donors include 13th Floor, Housing Trust Group, Terra, Midtown Development, Allen Morris Companies, Mana Common and Coastal Construction.

Real estate attorneys also donated, including South Miami Mayor Javier Fernandez, who serves as legal counsel for Allen Morris Companies, and executives at Greenberg Traurig and Holland & Knight.

Wohl, the single largest donor, told The Real Deal he has no projects in Lopez's district and expects nothing in return. He said he donated to support her track record on housing affordability at the county and state level.

Lopez reverses course on affordable-housing law she once sponsored

Lopez, 68, was appointed to the District 5 seat in November 2025 after Eileen Higgins left to become Miami's mayor. The appointment passed 7-5. She now serves as vice chair of the county's housing committee, which oversees public housing and community development policies, and sits on the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency board.

As a state representative, Lopez sponsored the Live Local Act, which grants developers extra building rights if 40% of units are reserved for affordable housing. But she has since shifted her stance. On July 22, Lopez told the County Commission the law was being used "in ways that were never intended" and supported exploring legal action against it, according to Florida Politics.

Challengers Sanchez, Piper trail far behind in fundraising

Her two challengers trail far behind in fundraising. Joe Sanchez, a retired Florida Highway Patrol trooper and former Miami city commissioner, reported raising $130,000 as of late June, according to the Biscayne Times. Rob Piper, a retired U.S. Marine and president of the Coral Way Democratic Club, had raised no money as of the same period.

Both live in Shenandoah.

As we reported Aug. 5, all three candidates are competing in the nonpartisan primary. If no one clears 50% of the vote on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the top two advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.

Early voting runs through Sunday, Aug. 16, at locations including Miami Beach City Hall and North Shore Branch Library. Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 18.