Longtime Miami Politician Makes Full Circle Return as Mayor of Sweetwater

By Lou Hernandez

José “Pepe” Díaz, one of the most accomplished Miami politicians of the past several decades, has returned to his Sweetwater roots as newly elected mayor of the southwest Miami city.

Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Díaz emigrated to the United States in 1962 as a toddler with his parents and two sisters. His family’s story echoes that of many Cuban émigrés of that generation who fled Communism. “My father was a successful businessman in Cuba,” revealed Diaz, “but neither of my parents were allowed take any valuables when they left the country.”

Growing up in a new land, Díaz, 62, recalled the more intolerant Miami of that era: “Ours was one of the first Hispanic families in Sweetwater. I didn’t have it easy. I got into fights with kids at school almost every day simply because I was Cuban. But it was a part of life that molds you into a certain character to move forward. I got my doctorate, you might say, in the streets of Sweetwater—Sweetwater U! Eventually, I got to know Sweetwater, and I came to love Sweetwater.”

After graduating Coral Park High School, Díaz pursued higher education for a time before deciding on a course change. “I left Miami Dade College to join the Marines on a delayed enlistment,” he explained. “I went to boot camp at Paris Island [South Carolina]. I was a Marine for six years, mostly in a reserve unit, working as a jet mechanic.”

Díaz began his career in public service in his beloved city in the late 1980s. “I became an auxiliary police officer,” informed the mayor, who ran unopposed for the office. “That led me toward the internal politics of the city. I worked with the police union with their pension plan. That started it all. Politics has to be inside you, it has to be part of who you are.”

A few years later, he entered the political arena. “One of the council members in Sweetwater passed and I was appointed to take his place in 1992,” stated Díaz. “I eventually became president of the city council and ran for mayor in 1999. Four people ran in that election and I received more than 60% of the vote.”

Not long afterward, Díaz catapulted to the high-profile local government seat for which he is most known. He described his trajectory: “I was mayor of Sweetwater for three years before running for Miami Dade County Commissioner. I won José “Pepe” Cancio’s seat, which he planned to vacate. I served five four-year terms.” His commission seat included representing Sweetwater, Doral—a city Díaz and others were instrumental in founding—Virginia Gardens, Medley, Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens.

During his tenure, Díaz was an integral proponent for some of the largest and most important civic projects realized in the county. Among them was Marlins Park, the Port of Miami Tunnel, and viaduct and roadways extensions for the Dolphin Expressway. “I brought Formula 1 Racing here, with Vinnie Bentancourt,” injected the mayor. “He handled the events for the City of Miami. We worked it together. We hosted two Super Bowls while I was a county commissioner, as well.” The installation of an underground pump system in Sweetwater that drains out to the bay and helps prevent street flooding is one the mayor’s most personally gratifying accomplishments.

After 20 years of distinguished service as a MiamiDade County Commissioner, Díaz stepped down due to term limits, relinquishing the chairman position of the Commission he had held for two years. “I was the first county commission chairman elected unanimously,” the longtime politico said proudly. “That had never happened before.”

Díaz is deeply committed to social programs dedicated, in particular, to the military, seniors and city youth. “The elderly are the most vulnerable of our society,” he reminded. “Often they wind up being alone, which could be due to many reasons. They are targeted by swindlers, many lose parts of their savings or pensions. My interest in the elderly came from my father and mother and grandmother, who was tough as nails but also humble. She taught us to be thankful for everything we have.”

“I’ve always tried to support kids,” he continued. “I see kids as the future. I actually became a coach for a Sweetwater softball team for girls. Our resources were limited but at one time we offered ballet and karate instruction under the youth services program in Sweetwater.”

One drawback Díaz admitted was balancing family life with politics. “Your family does suffer because, I feel, they have to be careful,” the mayor expressed. “In politics you have to have alligator skin. It’s full of catbirds. A catbird is the bird that comes in and takes over other birds’ nests. In politics you have catbirds who want to come in and take credit for something they never did.”

Díaz and wife Maria del Carmen have been married for 39 years. “I’m blessed with three daughters, Monique, Krystal and Celine, who are ten times smarter than me,” offered Díaz, who is soon to become a grandfather for the third time. “I could not have accomplished what I have without the support of my family.”

Díaz looks forward to working with the city’s seven sitting council members. “I want to increase the quality of life in Sweetwater,” he pronounced. “I want to stress efficiency with the resources we have, make the city financially sound, improve the look of the area with beautification projects and increase security through policing.

“This is a great city with great, hard-working people. This city is very special to me.”