Vicki L. Lopez is running for the Miami-Dade County Commission District 5 seat in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race is for the rest of an unexpired term.

Lopez was appointed to the District 5 seat on Nov. 18, 2025, by a 7–5 vote of the commission, according to Wikipedia. She replaced Eileen Higgins, who left the commission after becoming Miami mayor. Lopez was sworn in the next day.

Rob Piper is also in the race. He is running as a nonpartisan candidate, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

Name: Vicki L. Lopez

Party: Nonpartisan

Office sought: Miami-Dade County Commission, District 5

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, University of Notre Dame, 1978, according to BallotReady

Birthplace: Tampa, Florida; raised in Fort Myers, Florida, according to Wikipedia

Experience and public service

Lopez served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 113 from 2022 to 2025, according to Wikipedia. In the House, she chaired the State Administration Budget Subcommittee and the House Select Committee on Property Taxes.

As a state representative, Lopez sponsored Florida's Live Local Act and advocated for expanding accessory dwelling units to increase the housing supply, according to The Real Deal. She also introduced House Bill 1029, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, which went into law on July 1, 2024, according to Wikipedia. The program allows inspections and grants to harden condominium buildings in the aftermath of the Surfside condominium collapse.

On the county commission, Lopez serves as vice chair of the Housing Committee, according to The Real Deal.

Lopez's appointed positions include chairman of the Governor's Ex-Offender Task Force, vice chair of the Department of Corrections Reentry Advisory Council, and chairman and treasurer of the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises board, according to the Miami-Dade County website. She also served on the Florida Senate Juvenile Justice Education Work Group and the Florida Tourism Commission's Industry/Government Affairs Committee.

Earlier in her career, Lopez served as a Lee County commissioner for District 4 from 1990 to 1993, according to BallotReady. She has worked in accounting and business consulting, including as owner of VLL Consulting LLC since 2018. She also served as executive director of the Girls Advocacy Project from 2006 to 2009.

On the issues

Lopez outlines an action plan for District 5 on her campaign website. Her stated priorities include:

  • Affordable housing: Creating more affordable and workforce housing in District 5.
  • Environment: Protecting Biscayne Bay, defending the environment and mitigating flooding.
  • Public safety: Standing with first responders to keep communities safe.
  • Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure to reduce traffic and improve mobility.
  • Economy: Supporting small businesses to grow the economy and create opportunities.

Endorsements

The Miami Association of Realtors endorsed Lopez and named her its 2025 Housing Advocate of the Year for work advancing condominium reform and championing accessory dwelling units as a tool to expand attainable housing options for Miami-Dade families, according to Lopez's campaign website.