Politics in Miami is never just about policy. It's a blood sport, a family business, and occasionally, a Shakespearean tragedy. If you’ve spent any time following the local headlines, you know the name Alex Diaz de la Portilla. For decades, he wasn't just a player; he was the board itself.
He’s been called a kingmaker. He’s been called a target.
In late 2023, the narrative took a sharp, dramatic turn. The images of the former City Commissioner in handcuffs dominated every news cycle from Hialeah to Coconut Grove. People thought it was the end. The charges were heavy: money laundering, bribery, and criminal conspiracy. It looked like the final chapter for one of the most resilient political dynasties in Florida history.
But as of 2026, the dust has settled in a way few predicted. If you haven't kept up with the courtroom filings or the 2025 mayoral race, the reality of the situation might actually surprise you. Honestly, the story of Alex Diaz de la Portilla is less about a "fall from grace" and more about the strange, circular nature of power in South Florida.
The Arrest That Shook the City
On September 14, 2023, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) dropped a bombshell. They arrested Alex Diaz de la Portilla along with attorney William "Bill" Riley Jr. The allegations were centered on a plan to build a sports complex on public land in the Edgewater neighborhood.
Prosecutors initially claimed that a wealthy couple, David and Leila Centner, owners of the Centner Academy, had funneled $245,000 into PACs controlled by Diaz de la Portilla. The trade-off? His support for their project over a competing school board proposal.
Governor Ron DeSantis acted quickly. He suspended Diaz de la Portilla from his District 1 seat. It was a move that basically paralyzed the commissioner's political standing right before an election.
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Then things got weird.
The Case That Vanished
By November 2024, the legal mountain against him didn't just crumble—it evaporated. The Broward State Attorney’s Office, which took over the case to avoid local conflicts, filed a nolle prosequi memo. That's a fancy legal way of saying, "We're dropping this."
Why?
- Reliability Issues: Prosecutors admitted there was no "reasonable likelihood of conviction."
- Lack of Evidence: They found no proof of corrupt intent or a "quid-pro-quo" arrangement.
- Investigator Conduct: Rumors and court filings began circulating about an investigator allegedly concealing evidence that would have cleared the men much earlier.
"I was cleared of everything," Diaz de la Portilla told reporters during a later debate. He wasn't lying. But in politics, being cleared in court doesn't always mean being cleared in the court of public opinion.
A Legacy Built on Generations
To understand why Alex Diaz de la Portilla keeps coming back, you have to look at his roots. He isn't some newcomer who found a lucky break. He is the son of Cuban exiles, but his political DNA goes back much further than 1960s Miami.
His great-grandfather was a senator in Cuba. His maternal great-grandfather was the Cuban Minister of Justice. In Miami, the "DLP" brothers—Alex, Miguel, and Renier—have held various offices for over thirty years.
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Alex started young. He was volunteering for the Reagan-Bush campaign in 1980 when most kids his age were worried about driver's permits. By 1994, he was in the Florida House. By 2000, the Senate. He wasn't just a member; he was the Majority Leader. He knew how to move the levers of the state government better than almost anyone in the room.
The 2025 Mayoral Comeback Attempt
After the charges were dropped, everyone wondered: what now?
Most people would take the win and retire to a quiet life. Not him. In late 2025, Alex Diaz de la Portilla threw his hat into the ring for Miami Mayor. It was a crowded field—thirteen candidates in total—and the debates were, predictably, a circus.
During one particularly heated exchange in October 2025, former commissioner Ken Russell took a shot. He pointed out that while he left his seat early, he "didn't leave in handcuffs."
It was a low blow. It was also effective.
Despite his legal vindication, the 2025 election results showed a city that was ready to move on. He didn't win. He lost the mayoral race on November 4, 2025, marking one of the few times the "DLP" machine couldn't quite find its footing with the voters.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often view Alex Diaz de la Portilla through a binary lens: either a victim of a political hit job or a symbol of "the way things are done" in Miami. The truth is usually somewhere in the messy middle.
He has been a master of the "PAC" system. While the state once called it money laundering, the courts eventually agreed that his use of political action committees was within the bounds of Florida’s (admittedly loose) electioneering laws. He didn't break the rules; he just knew how to use them better than his opponents.
Quick Facts: The Career of Alex Diaz de la Portilla
- 1994-2000: Served in the Florida House of Representatives.
- 2000-2010: Served in the Florida Senate (Majority Leader/President Pro Tempore).
- 2019-2023: Miami City Commissioner (District 1).
- September 2023: Arrested and suspended by the Governor.
- November 2024: All criminal charges officially dropped.
- November 2025: Unsuccessful bid for Miami Mayor.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
You might think a losing mayoral run is the end of the road. That would be a mistake. In Miami, a politician with a deep donor network and a family name that spans three generations never truly goes away.
He still operates as a powerful political consultant. If you want to run for office in certain parts of Miami-Dade, you still have to consider how the de la Portilla influence will affect your ground game.
The story of Alex Diaz de la Portilla serves as a case study in Florida's legal and political systems. It shows how quickly an arrest can change a career, but it also shows how "innocent until proven guilty" works in a high-stakes environment.
Actionable Insights for Following Miami Politics
If you're trying to keep tabs on what happens next with the de la Portilla family or Miami’s ever-shifting commission, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the PACs: Don't just look at a candidate's direct donations. Look at the Political Action Committees. This is where the real movement happens, and it’s where Alex has always been most effective.
- Follow the District 1 Seat: The rivalry between Diaz de la Portilla and current commissioner Miguel Gabela isn't over. Local politics in this district is often a long-running feud that spans years.
- Check the Ethics Commission: Many of these cases start as small ethics inquiries before they ever reach the FDLE. Following the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust can give you a "canary in the coal mine" for future legal battles.
The saga of Alex Diaz de la Portilla isn't just about one man. It’s a mirror for the city itself—resilient, controversial, and always ready for the next round.