Shlomo Danzinger, an Orthodox Jewish community leader and former mayor of Surfside, Florida, has regained his position after a closely contested runoff election against Vice Mayor Tina Paul. According to official results, Danzinger secured 50.4% of the vote, reclaiming the mayor’s office from Charles Burkett.
The election coincided with Passover, leading members of Surfside’s Jewish community to file an emergency lawsuit requesting a delay so observant voters could participate. Surfside, located in Miami‑Dade County, is considered one of the most heavily Jewish towns in the United States, with roughly 5,700 residents, including about 2,500 Jewish residents, and 35% identifying as Orthodox.
Judge Lourdes Simon of Florida’s 11th Circuit Court declined to postpone the election but approved an extension for mail‑in ballots, allowing votes received through April 28 to be counted. That decision ultimately proved decisive, as the extended deadline enabled additional ballots to arrive and be included in the final tally.
Danzinger’s victory marks a return to leadership after previously serving as mayor and losing re‑election in 2024. His comeback underscores his continued influence within Surfside’s Jewish community and his commitment to representing the town’s diverse residents.
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