Dariel Fernandez
Dariel Fernandez | |
|---|---|
| File:Dariel Fernandez Tax Collector Official Portrait.jpg Official Portrait, 2025 | |
| 1st Miami-Dade County Tax Collector | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Havana, Cuba |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Carolina Vester |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Miami Dade College |
| Occupation | Businessman • politician |
| Signature |  |
| Website | mdctaxcollector |
Dariel Fernandez is a Cuban American businessman, civil servant, and politician serving as the first Miami-Dade County Tax Collector since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served on the Miami-Dade County Community Council from 2021 to 2024.
Early life and career
Fernandez was born in Güines, Cuba, and grew up in Madruga. He later immigrated to the United States and studied at Miami Dade College.
His career in public engagement began in 2004 at Radio Paz 830AM, where he discussed local and regional issues.[1] Fernandez served on the Miami-Dade County Community Council and participated in zoning and land use decisions. He was also President of the international movement "Somos Mas" and served on the Miami-Dade Cryptocurrency Task Force.
He is the founder of Ponemus Group, a marketing and technology firm that supports small businesses.
Miami-Dade County Tax Collector
Following the 2018 passage of a Florida constitutional amendment, the role of Miami-Dade Tax Collector transitioned from an appointed to an elected position.
On April 5, 2024, Fernandez announced his candidacy for the office. He won the Republican primary against Bryan Calvo and later defeated Democratic candidate David Richardson in the general election with 55.7% of the vote.[2]
Fernandez campaigned on a platform of modernization, efficiency, and anti-corruption. He was endorsed by public figures including Mayor Esteban Bovo, Francis Suarez, Kevin Marino Cabrera, and Rick Scott.[3][4]
On January 7, 2025, he was sworn into office.[1]
On March 17, 2025, Fernandez announced an investigation into DMV appointment scalping in coordination with local law enforcement. The probe aimed to crack down on fraudulent resale of driver license appointments.[1][5][6][7] The investigation received national attention and led to a proposed ordinance by Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to criminalize appointment scalping.[8][9]
Local Ordinance in Miami-Dade County
In April 2025, Miami-Dade County enacted a pioneering ordinance to combat the unauthorized sale of public service appointments, particularly those related to driver's license services. This measure was introduced in response to widespread issues where individuals and entities used automated bots to hoard appointment slots, subsequently reselling them at inflated prices. Such practices hindered residents' access to essential government services. The ordinance, codified as Section 21-49.3 of the Miami-Dade County Code, explicitly prohibits any person, entity, or platform from listing, posting, selling, or promoting the sale of public service appointments offered by the Miami-Dade County Office of the Tax Collector without express written consent. Violations of this ordinance are subject to a civil penalty of $500 per offense .
Statewide Legislation: House Bill 961
Building upon Miami-Dade County's initiative, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 961 in May 2025, extending the prohibition of unauthorized appointment sales across the state. This legislation criminalizes the sale or offer to sell service appointments with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) or authorized tax collector offices without written authorization. Offenders are subject to a first-degree misdemeanor charge, reinforcing the state's commitment to ensuring equitable access to public services and deterring fraudulent activities .
Impact and Reception
The enactment of both the local ordinance and state legislation received widespread support from public officials and the community. Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez lauded the state’s action, emphasizing that the transition from a local to a statewide policy underscores the importance of protecting public resources from exploitation. The coordinated efforts between county and state authorities aim to restore public trust, enhance the efficiency of service delivery, and ensure that all residents have fair access to essential government appointments .
Personal life
Fernandez is a Roman Catholic. He is married to Carolina Vester, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Anastasia.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dariel Fernandez | 576,601 | 55.7 | |
| Democratic | David Richardson | 459,445 | 44.3 | |
| Total votes | 1,036,046 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dariel Fernandez | 54,467 | 51.7 | |
| Republican | Bryan Calvo | 50,844 | 48.3 | |
| Total votes | 105,311 | 100.00 | ||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Morgan Rynor (January 13, 2025). "Dariel Fernandez sworn in as Miami-Dade's new Tax Collector". CBS News Miami. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ "2024 General Election Summary Results - Miami-Dade County". Florida Division of Elections. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ Scheckner, Jesse (January 7, 2025). "Constitutional officers installed in Miami-Dade, where a GOP wave helped deliver a sweep". Florida Politics. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ Leonard, Kimberly (January 15, 2025). "The Trumpification of Miami-Dade". Politico. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Companies taking multiple DMV appointments, reselling them, causing bottlenecks". WPLG Local10 News. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Algunas escuelas de manejo estarían tras fraude en citas de licencias de conducir en Miami-Dade". Univision Miami. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Dariel Fernandez to take on DMV scalping in Miami-Dade". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Ordinance to address DMV appointment scalping". Miami-Dade County Government. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ↑ Robbins, Lizette Alvarez (March 20, 2025). "Scalpers Exploited DMV Chaos in Miami, Officials Say". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
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