HERE TO SERVE . . .
On August 18th, be sure to cast your vote for a life-long public servant and true progressive candidate, ROB PIPER. I'm running to ensure that the values of COMPASSION, DIGNITY, EQUITY, and TRANSPARENCY are advocated on the Commission and to pave the way for new voices to challenge the status-quo in Miami-Dade.
Meet Rob
Like many Miami-Dade residents, I came here from somewhere else. I was born in Baltimore and grew up in Northern Virginia, where my parents taught me to work hard, stand up for yourself and others, and to never forget that success often comes not with a handout, but a with a HAND UP! After graduating from Penn State, I got an officer’s commission in the United States Marine Corps in 1993, and served all over the world (including three combat tours in Iraq) until coming to Miami in 2012 for my final assignment (U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South).
After retiring from the Marines in 2016, I felt compelled to continue to serve in a different capacity. I began to volunteer to inform, engage, and mobilize voters in my community as a precinct captain and the president of a political organization; all while studying for a PhD in International Relations. When other Miami community advocates asked me to step up against corruption and lead the TAKE BACK OUR CITY PAC in 2020, I did so without hesitation. When I served as a legislative aide in the Florida House and earned my PhD in 2023, I learned just how much politics and the economy are linked. And as a regional field director for multiple election campaigns in 2024, I learned the importance of outreach in underserved communities.
Why I'm running (again)
My entire adult life has been about service. When I saw a need to serve my community with a new voice at Miami City Hall, I threw my hat in the ring and ran for City Commissioner District 3. That experience only intensified my desire to serve. And when I learned that an even newer voice was needed to prioritize the values of compassion, dignity, equity, and transperancy on the Miami-Dade County Commission, the choice was clear. And with this campaign (like my previous one), I WILL forge a clearer path for others to follow (because no one should be hesitant about running for office and serving their community).
My Platform
As your District 5 County Commissioner, I will fight to . . .
1) Demand Transparency & Accountability in County Government
2) End Special Interest Influence at County Hall
3) Lower Housing Costs & Expand Affordable Housing
4) Make the Wealthiest Pay Their Fair Share
5) Invest in Climate Resilience & Flood Protection
My Values
My campaign is a reflection of what I value. A county as rich as Miami-Dade should not reflect a dynamic where so few people have so much while so many have so little. Further, the county should be free to institute policies that ensure the safety and dignity of all its residents without having to deal with short-sighted overreach from federal or state politicians. A commitment to science, the law, compassion, human dignity, and basic integrity needs to drive the county government's actions, and the people of Miami-Dade deserve to be kept in the loop on these actions to the fullest extent possible.
What we are up against . . .
Too many obstacles stand in the way of Miami-Dade reaching its full potential. Besides politicians failing to prioritize the humanity and dignity of our fellow residents, not listening to voters, and making citizen participation difficult, there are special interests with too much influence (and money) swaying our county politics. In addition, state and national governments have trampled over our municipal sovereignty to the detriment of our residents.
My Vision
When it's all said and done I hope to bring about a more informed electorate in Miami-Dade, where regular people are compelled to engage in greater civic participation, and are empowered to bring about real change in the county to bring safer communities, more freedom, and greater opportunities. Because no one should be confused about how their local government works.