Pembroke Pines voters choose Angelo Castillo for mayor

Angelo Castillo, a longtime city commissioner, will become the next mayor of Pembroke Pines.

Voters also chose incumbent Jay Schwartz and newcomer Maria Rodriguez for commission seats. Castillo won the three-person mayor’s race Tuesday to replace Mayor Frank Ortis, a familiar face as the ceremonial leader and business leader, who is retiring. Ortis served on commission since 1996, the last 20 years as the mayor.

Castillo, a former director of the Broward County Human Services Department, is now retired and pledged for the mayor’s role to become his full-time job.

He beat political newcomer Elizabeth Burns, and Iris Siple, who has served on the City Commission since 2004.

It was Castillo’s second bid for mayor, having lost to Ortis in 2020. Castillo was also elected in 2004. He campaigned on the need to pivot from a city once sprawling with new development to one needing attention to more urban issues such as traffic congestion and the pressing need for affordable housing.

The issue of schools was also at the forefront, as Pembroke Pines grapples with the prospect of the School Board closing underenrolled schools within city limits, and the pressing need for trash and recycling changes.

At more than 170,000 residents, Pembroke Pines is one of the largest cities in the county. The mayor serves a term of four years, and presides over commission meetings. There are no term limits.

District 2

Incumbent Jay Schwartz kept his seat for District 2, which generally runs from University Drive east to Flamingo Road and Sheridan Street south to Pines Boulevard. Schwartz fended off political newcomers Brandon Carrero and Catherine Minnis.

Schwartz was first elected in 2012. He campaigned on a platform of his experience as a benefit, especially as the next commission tackles issues including traffic calming, and infrastructure upgrades.

District 3

Rodriguez, who won the District 3 commission seat, works for County Commissioner Tim Ryan as his communications and outreach coordinator. She said that gives her a countywide perspective of how to get things done.

She defeated three political rivals for the commission seat. Those contenders were Misael “Ace” Almeria, Glenn Theobald, and Chris Ziadie.

Rodriguez campaigned on the need for more Spanish-speaking services for residents, and technology upgrades that senses cars waiting at the lights to better traffic conditions. Rodriguez also promised during the campaign she would push for pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

“I am so excited and so ready to do the work and represent my community,” she said.