Former councilman Bryan Calvo elected mayor of Hialeah, youngest in city’s history

Bryan Calvo, a former city councilman known for frequently challenging Esteban “Steve” Bovo’s policies during his tenure as Hialeah’s mayor, has won the city’s mayoral election with 52% of the vote. With 17,504 people voting, Calvo, 27, becomes the youngest mayor in Hialeah history.

Calvo achieved what many observers deemed unlikely: defeating four other contenders, including the interim mayor and a prominent council member, to win outright and avoid a runoff.

Calvo sent a statement to the Miami Herald thanking Hialeah residents for what he called “the honor of a lifetime.”

“Tonight you delivered a clear message: it’s time to end backroom politics and bring integrity back to City Hall,” he said. “This victory belongs to every family that’s worked hard, played by the rules, and refuse to give up on this city.”

Calvo outpaced interim Mayor Jacqueline Garcia‑Roves and Councilman Jesus Tundidor — both considered strong establishment candidates — as well as fellow challengers Marc Anthony Salvat and Bernardino “Benny” Rodriguez.

Tundidor, 34, received 20% of the vote, while Garcia-Roves, 43, followed closely with 19%.

Garcia-Roves, in tears in her headquarters, thanked everyone who worked hard on her campaign and said she would continue working for “the city I love.”

Tundidor sent a statement to the Herald saying, “The people of Hialeah have spoken. I am very proud of the work we have done as a councilman. I wish Bryan all the best and hope he does his best for our community.”

Salvat, 32,got 6.4% percent of the votes, while Bernardino “Benny” Rodriguez recieved less that 1% of the votes.

During his tenure on the city council, Calvo was a vocal critic of then-Mayor Bovo’s administration, accusing it of wasteful spending and poor governance. Calvo filed a lawsuit, later dismissed against Bovo over alleged misuse of public resources.

Garcia-Roves — the first woman to serve as Hialeah’s mayor — is expected to remain in office through the transition period established under Bovo’s administration. She will hand over the position on Jan. 12, 2026, when Calvo is expected to be sworn in. The arrangement leaves the city under interim leadership for two more months as Hialeah prepares for a new direction at City Hall.

Running as an anti-establishment reformer, Calvo raised just over $324,000 for his campaign. His platform emphasized cutting government bureaucracy, repealing public-employee pensions and lowering water bills for Hialeah residents.

Calvo holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University and a law degree from Florida International University.

This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM.