New beginnings come along every so often in the life of a politician.
Even more rare is the opportunity to build an entire organization from scratch.
But that’s what’s happening in Miami-Dade County this election cycle with five new constitutional officers to be elected by the people. For the first time in nearly 60 years, voters in Florida’s most populated county will choose a tax collector, whose big assignment is to overhaul the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Enter David Richardson, a former elected official and certified public accountant, who undoubtedly possesses the knowledge and experience required to run such an agency.
“My background is perfect for it because I understand finance and taxes,” said Richardson in a Zoom interview with OutSFL. “I am uniquely qualified.”
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012, Richardson was the first out gay man to serve in the legislature, a distinction he shared with Joe Saunders. His tenure in Tallahassee was significant, working on environmental issues and prison reform, while leading the effort to remove the ban on adoption by same-sex couples from the books.
“My relations in Tallahassee will come in handy,” he said.
And they’ll need to with a pending takeover of the DMV. The division has been hampered by lack of resources and personnel, said Richardson.
“The state is very anxious to get out of the business, take the loss and push it down to the county level,” Richardson said. “Things are not going well in Broward and Miami-Dade — underfunded, understaffed, long lines. The fee structure for drivers' licenses is not high enough to pay for the operation of offices and staff.”
Customer service, Richardson said, is of the utmost importance. Property taxes alone in Miami-Dade County rake in more than $9 billion.
“Good customer service is how you keep the residents happy,” Richardson said. “Right now it’s a three-month wait for appointments at the DMV.”
He said his management style would lean into his experience as a Miami Beach commissioner, where he dealt with land use regulations and helped run a food distribution operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of his identity as a gay man, Richardson said it will not affect how he discharges his duties, but that he is a firm believer in establishing a diverse workplace.
“I will, as I have done in the past, run a very open and inclusive office,” he said. “Everybody will be welcome to apply for a job in my office and work to the extent they are doing their work.”
Republican candidate Dariel Fernandez is Richardson’s opponent in the November general election. Down ballot races rely heavily on partisan turnout and that could work to Richardson’s advantage this election cycle.
“In a Presidential year, Democrats tend to come out more and right now we’re seeing a lot of enthusiasm with Kamala Harris on the ticket,” he said.
