Yurina Gil Announces Challenge for Florida’s 26 Congressional District 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cuban-American finance professional to take on MAGA Republican Mario Diaz-Balart

Miami, FL – January 6, 2026 – Yurina Gil is running for Congress because she escaped a dictatorship in Cuba and she doesn’t want to see her adopted homeland fall prey to another. Her priorities are for Democrats to regain control of the House of Representatives, then begin to work to bringing stability back to Washington, DC. and affordability to her constituents by focusing on real policies that that improve the quality of life for all Americans.

“My experience, professional expertise, and unwavering belief in the American Dream drive my commitment to serve Florida’s District 26 with bold, compassionate leadership,” says Gil. “I want to see future generations of Americans have a livable planet and for more people to have better opportunities than those I enjoyed.” A political novice, Yurina aims to bring a fresh perspective to DC and give voters a chance to have real representation, not a do-nothing subservient rubberstamp for Donald Trump.

Born in Pogoloti, Marianao, Cuba in 1979, Gil was a very active child who frequently got in trouble at school for talking to classmates. A hyperkinetic and extremely bright girl, she refused to be part of the Union de Jovenes Comunistas (UJC). Yurina emigrated to the United States in 1998 after her biological father won the visa lottery, and though she didn’t speak any English, she registered for the Job Corps in Gainesville, FL. There she began to learn the language and do administrative work.

She eventually settled in Miami and enrolled at Miami Dade College, continuing to study English, while also working multiple jobs at factories, gas stations, doing medicine deliveries, and in bookkeeping. She liked numbers so much that she decided to pursue a career in accounting. Gil finished her associates degree at MDC and moved on to Florida International University to complete her bachelor’s degree in accounting, where she also obtained a master’s in accounting.

Gil is now a certified professional accountant, and her career has included work auditing mutual funds and exchange traded funds, consulting and database management, corporate accounting, and managing client relations. Her academic career inspired her goal to provide increased access to education from colleges and universities and careers in trades. In addition, Yurina wants to help diversify our supply chain, relying more on our neighbors in Latin America, lessening our dependence on China.

Some of her other legislative priorities include fair and equal pay, Congressional integrity and independence, wage-to-rent indexing Act, carbon accountability, and climate resilience. “Florida District 26 deserves someone who will uphold human rights and fight for all of us, and I truly believe I am that candidate.”

For more information about Yurina Gil, and to volunteer and donate to her campaign, please visit yurinagilforyou.com. 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

Tom Hutchings Announces Candidacy for Miami Springs City Council Group IV Seat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Longtime resident, small business owner, and political neophyte challenges former seat holder who resigned to unsuccessfully run for County Commission

Miami Springs, FL – March 21, 2023 – Tom Hutchings isn’t in this race to further his political ambitions. For the father, small business owner, and four decade-plus Miami Springs resident, this is about increasing funding for the police, preserving and enhancing Miami Springs’ famous tree canopy, and making the streets safer for pedestrians and golf cart riders.

“I’m running because I believe in the city and I want to work to keep improving it for the future,” offers Hutchings. Co-owner of A Little Bit of Philly, the popular American eatery in nearby Virginia Gardens, Tom also supports protecting existing green spaces so that they cannot be used for parking lots, and exploring the possibility of building a parking garage off the Circle.

He wants to see speed humps installed on Curtiss Parkway, one of the busiest drags in the entire area and one that bisects the popular golf course, along with additional signage and signal lights at cross walks. Because police resources have been stretched thin serving the 36th Street hotel corridor, Hutchings believes additional funding and personnel are absolutely necessary.

Public service is in Hutchings’ blood. His mother, long-time real estate agent and gift shop owner Joan Hutchings, served on the city council from during the late 1980s – early 1990s. His father, Guy Daniel Hutchings, served in the Army Air Corps / Air Force during World War 2 and the Korean Conflict. The elder Mr. Hutchings went on to become a captain for Eastern Airlines.  

Hutchings hopes his message of preserving the Miami Springs way of life will resonate with enough voters on April 4th to give him an opportunity to serve the community he loves so much. Early voting begins on March 31st.

For more information, visit miamisprings-fl.gov. 

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

Menendez Macki Reiterates Why He’s the Clear Choice for School Board District 4

 With early voting beginning this week and Primary Day in sight, the only candidate with true educational experience makes his case to constituents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 8, 2022 – Miami Lakes, FL – Kevin Menendez Macki’s passion is educational leadership. It’s what has driven him since the moment he realized that he wanted to make a career out of mentoring youth. At every level he’s worked, from teacher first at Hialeah Gardens Elementary, then at Joella C. Goode Elementary, and later while serving on the Town of Miami Lakes’ Education Advisory Board, and now as Horeb Christian School principal, Kevin has been thrust into leadership roles at every stage.

“While I have a great deal of respect for my opponents and what they are campaigning on, the fact of the matter is I am the only one who has real-world experience an educator,” says Menedez Macki. “Of all the candidates, only I have truly managed a budget in an educational setting, and I believe that my experience as a teacher and an administrator will greatly benefit the students and parents I’ll be representing in District 4.” 

The pillars of his campaign are as follows:

  • Keeping children safe by activating customized strategies, programs, and resources to ensure physical, mental and emotional safety
  • Supporting teachers by addressing burnout and turnover rates while providing the support needed to retain them
  • Enabling parental rights and involvement by pushing for adequate staffing, resources, and two-way communication to ensure they are heard and able to be active participants in their child’s education
  • Elevating curriculum through obtaining funds and build learning environments where students thrive, and prioritizing programs for students with special needs and disabilities
  • Protecting taxpayers by ensuring budgets and resources are used wisely and taxpayers are shielded from wasteful spending

“When elected, I intend to visit each and every school in District 4 and work with administrators, teachers, and resource officers to make certain that their voices are heard and that they are getting everything they need from the district level to succeed,” he adds. “From day one I will work to better the learning environment for all students.”

His campaign has earned the endorsement of Town of Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, Vice Mayor Jeffery Rodriguez, and Councilman Tony Fernandez, as well as Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia, and Hialeah Annex community leader Eddie Santiesteban.

For more information, visit kevinmenendezmacki.com.

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ABOUT KEVIN MENENDEZ MACKI

August 8, 2022 – Miami Lakes, FL – Kevin Menendez Macki’s passion is educational leadership. It’s what has driven him since the moment he realized that he wanted to make a career out of mentoring youth. At every level he’s worked, from teacher first at Hialeah Gardens Elementary, then at Joella C. Goode Elementary, and later while serving on the Town of Miami Lakes’ Education Advisory Board, and now as Horeb Christian School principal, Kevin has been thrust into leadership roles at every stage.

“While I have a great deal of respect for my opponents and what they are campaigning on, the fact of the matter is I am the only one who has real-world experience an educator,” says Menedez Macki. “Of all the candidates, only I have truly managed a budget in an educational setting, and I believe that my experience as a teacher and an administrator will greatly benefit the students and parents I’ll be representing in District 4.” 

The pillars of his campaign are as follows:

  • Keeping children safe by activating customized strategies, programs, and resources to ensure physical, mental and emotional safety
  • Supporting teachers by addressing burnout and turnover rates while providing the support needed to retain them
  • Enabling parental rights and involvement by pushing for adequate staffing, resources, and two-way communication to ensure they are heard and able to be active participants in their child’s education
  • Elevating curriculum through obtaining funds and build learning environments where students thrive, and prioritizing programs for students with special needs and disabilities
  • Protecting taxpayers by ensuring budgets and resources are used wisely and taxpayers are shielded from wasteful spending

“When elected, I intend to visit each and every school in District 4 and work with administrators, teachers, and resource officers to make certain that their voices are heard and that they are getting everything they need from the district level to succeed,” he adds. “From day one I will work to better the learning environment for all students.”

His campaign has earned the endorsement of Town of Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, Vice Mayor Jeffery Rodriguez, and Councilman Tony Fernandez, as well as Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Pedro J. Garcia, and Hialeah Annex community leader Eddie Santiesteban.

For more information, visit kevinmenendezmacki.com.

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ABOUT KEVIN MENENDEZ MACKI

Kevin Menendez Macki is an educator with 17 years of experience and a tireless passion for his community. To most, he is known as “Mr. Macki,” a teacher and principal that has impacted the lives of thousands of students.

Born and raised in Hialeah, FL, he attended Barry University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2006, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Florida International University in 2015.

He served as a teacher at Hialeah Gardens Elementary from 2005 to 2012, was a professional development liaison and teacher at Joella C. Good Elementary from 2012 to 2016, and is now the principal at Horeb Christian School.

Kevin lives in Miami Lakes with his wife and two young sons. For more information, navigate to kevinmenendezmacki.com.  

Born and raised in Hialeah, FL, he attended Barry University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 2006, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Florida International University in 2015.

He served as a teacher at Hialeah Gardens Elementary from 2005 to 2012, was a professional development liaison and teacher at Joella C. Good Elementary from 2012 to 2016, and is now the principal at Horeb Christian School.

Kevin lives in Miami Lakes with his wife and two young sons. For more information, navigate to kevinmenendezmacki.com.  

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

Christine Olivo (D) Announces Candidacy for Florida Congressional District 26

Democratic candidate running to represent western Miami-Dade and Collier Counties, including parts of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Gardens, and Naples

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami, FL – July 5, 2022 – Outspoken advocate, educator, wife, and mother of two boys Christine Olivo is running for U.S. Representative for Florida’s 26th Congressional District. She brings forth a burst of new energy and leadership into the political fold. A first generation Haitian-American born and raised in Miami, FL, Olivo officially qualified as candidate for Florida’s 26th Congressional district on June 14 and is now the official Democratic Party nominee.

“I am excited to be the only candidate that is ready to deliver real solutions for the working class, and as the only pro-choice candidate in this race, I have been preparing for this role my entire life,” says Olivo. “All of my achievements are a credit to the power of the living God, and I believe that with God all things are possible.” Olivo is running because she believes FL26 needs a representative who will prioritize the economy, access to healthcare, and fight for a living wage.  

Christine was a high school standout at Monsignor Edward Pace High School with a 5.0 GPA. She served as a youth group leader in her junior and senior years, while becoming inducted into the National Honor Society. She was elected Senior Class President and captain of the dance team. Christine earned an associate degree from Miami-Dade College, continued her studies at Florida International University, then completed both her bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and earned an MBA from Barry University.

In 2010, Christine began working as a youth director for the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in North Miami, where she saw first-hand the challenges these young kids faced. There she steered them in the right direction and helped them rise above their challenges. She proudly served one year in AmeriCorps and taught the “BART-Becoming A Responsible Teen” sex education program to inner-city children. At AmeriCorps, Christine taught an ongoing parenting class to help assist and unify families on communicating effectively. She’s currently a math and science teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.

Christine was elected in August of 2020 as her local Democratic Committeewoman. Her goal now is to be a voice for the future and challenge the establishment to rally behind policies that move our society forward. In December of 2020, Christine was recognized by Legacy Magazine as one of South Florida’s most prominent and influential black women. She has just received the Balancing Life’s Pearls of Wisdom Star award for being an advocate for the people.

Tri-lingual in English, Spanish, and Creole, Christine grew up in the area’s melting pot that allowed her to fully understand and appreciate South Florida’s vast array of cultures. She adds: “When elected I hope that I can restore the middle class. Nowadays you’re either rich or poor. We cannot thrive without a strong middle class.”

For more information, please visit christineforcongress.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Maricarmen Hernandez
305.684.9678
management@christineforcongress.org