Over the weekend there was some big 2020 election news, and we’re not talking about the presidential race. No, it was all about a county commission race in one of the northernmost districts in Miami-Dade.

Commissioner Barbara Jordan is leaving her District 1 post due to term limits, and Sybrina Fulton — the mother of Trayvon Martin — officially filed yesterday to run for the seat.

Fulton has remained active in the 305 through the foundation she started in Trayvon’s name, and she’s built relationships with political leaders including the Obama family and Hillary Clinton.

She’ll be running to represent a district that includes Miami Gardens, where her foundation is headquartered, and sections of Opa-locka and unincorporated Dade.

So far her only opponent in the race is the two-term mayor of Miami Gardens, Oliver Gilbert, who has raised more than $260,000 for his campaign. He’s seen his share of controversy in his time as mayor, but also overseen a big period of growth for the city.

Stay tuned, folks. August 2020 will be here sooner than we think.

In other news…

Speaking of 2020 updates, candidate Pete Buttigieg got a big endorsement ahead of his visit to the Wynwood Walls last night. Buttigieg has the backing of Sean Shaw, the first black nominee for attorney general in state history, who appeared with Buttigieg at the event. (Tampa Bay Times, Miami Herald)

After Alabama approved the strictest abortion ban in the nation, the move caught the attention of at least one Republican Florida lawmaker — state Sen. Dennis Baxley. He said he was encouraged by Alabama’s law and would support further discussion of strict abortion law in Florida. Democrats say they’ll continue working to prevent that kind of legislation. (WLRN)

A carport for flying cars in Downtown Miami is almost done, and apparently the cars themselves are also ready for pre-order. That’s the latest news from the developer of the Paramount, a massive luxury condo tower that’s part of the even more massive Miami Worldcenter project. (Miami Herald)

A small coral stone structure sits deteriorating and vacant on the Biltmore Hotel Golf Course. Still standing 90-plus years later, the Gondola Building was named to Dade Heritage Trust’s 2019 list of the 12 most endangered sites in Miami-Dade County.

Last week the Coral Gables City Commission approved a $500,000 match for a Special Category Grant from the Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources for the restoration of the building.

Learn more about the history of the structure and how the community used it in the 1920s.

You can also help Dade Heritage continue their work by attending the launch of their annual Preservation Today Magazine tonight at the Olympia Theater.

PRODUCED BY THE NEW TROPIC CREATIVE STUDIO WITH DADE HERITAGE TRUST

May is designated as a month of reflection and celebration for several causes and cultures, from shining a light on mental health to celebrating Haitian American heritage.

This month is also Asian Pacific (Islander) American Heritage Month and Tony Delarosa, a local motivational speaker and educator, shared some thoughts with us about how Miami can be better about acknowledging the 305’s multi-faceted Asian American community.

Tony has some tips on how panel discussions and talks — like a recent event that centered on local Asian Americans sharing their experiences — can be more diverse and inclusive.

Head to our website to read his Your View and see his tips and insights.

We wanted to give another quick heads up to the women entrepreneurs out there. If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, then check out the Babson Women Innovating Now Lab‘s five-month accelerator program.

Applications are open from now until June 1. And if you’re looking for more details, then check out an info session happening on Thursday at CIC Miami. Best of luck to any applicants!

We’ll catch you tomorrow morning.

– The New Tropic