Above: Carl Fisher on his speedboat in Biscayne Bay, 1920. Original black and white image courtesy of State of Florida Archives
Miami Beach, FL – June 4th, 2025 — Daniel Ciraldo, candidate for Miami Beach City Commission Group 1, has earned the endorsement of Jerry Fisher, author of The Pacesetter: The Complete Story, the definitive biography of his relative Carl Fisher—the visionary founder of Miami Beach.
Fisher’s endorsement comes amid growing concerns about Tallahassee’s efforts to strip local governments of their ability to protect historic neighborhoods and manage zoning decisions. These state-level preemptions are threatening the unique character of Florida’s most iconic communities—including Miami Beach.
“Carl Fisher built Miami Beach on vision, imagination, and local ingenuity,” said Jerry Fisher. “Now, that legacy is being chipped away by overdevelopment and politicians in Tallahassee who think they know better than the people who actually live here. Daniel Ciraldo is fighting to protect what makes Miami Beach—and so many of Florida’s historic towns—truly special.”
Ciraldo, a preservation advocate and former longtime executive director of the Miami Design Preservation League, has been a vocal opponent of state overreach and unchecked development.
“Miami Beach belongs to its residents, not to Tallahassee power brokers or special interests,” said Ciraldo. “I’m honored to have Jerry Fisher’s endorsement, and I’ll continue to fight for home rule, thoughtful planning, and the preservation of the places that make Florida worth living in.”
For more information, visit DanielForMiamiBeach.org.
To read more about The Pacesetter, visit carlfisherfamily.com