Miami congressional candidate Richard Lamondin calls for ‘leadership that heals’ on 9/11 anniversary

It’s been 24 years since the U.S. suffered the deadliest terrorist attack in human history, and the unity that Americans felt in its aftermath is much needed now, according to Richard Lamondin, a Democrat challenging Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar.

In a video posted to X^[1], Lamondin, who was 14 when the al-Qaida extremists crashed planes into the Pentagon and Twin Towers, recalled the compassion he saw in that tragedy’s wake.

“We looked past our differences. Neighbors checked on neighbors. Friends united. Families held each other just a little bit closer. We remembered what we had in common and how much stronger we are when we stand together,” he said.

“Today, that feeling feels distant. Our country feels fractured in ways that hurt.”

Lamondin, a first-time candidate who turned 38 Monday, pointed to the June murders of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Horton^[2] and her husband, and to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk^[3] at a Utah university Wednesday.

Those and the many other acts of political violence^[4] and mass shootings^[5] in 2025 and recent years “shakes you,” Lamondin said.

“As a candidate for Congress … my family shouldn’t have to worry about whether I’ll come home at night. And as a father, I carry the fear every parent knows, that my son could be vulnerable even in a school. It shouldn’t be this way,” he said.

“It’s time for something better. It’s time for leadership that heals instead of divides, that brings us together, not tears us apart. So today, on the anniversary of Sept. 11, let’s remember more than what we lost. Let’s remember what we found: unity, purpose and the belief that in the end we are one nation.”

Lamondin, an entrepreneur who hopes to unseat Salazar in Florida’s 27th Congressional District, is by far the top fundraiser^[6] among three active Democratic candidates in the race.

But his campaign holdings still pale in comparison to Salazar, who also shared messages this week about both Kirk and 9/11.

“Charlie Kirk died a hero. He was a true warrior, assassinated for his ideas and for fighting for what he believed in. We didn’t agree on everything, but in America no one should ever be targeted for their beliefs,” she said in one X post^[7].

In another^[8], she wrote, “Today we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. We honor their lives, salute the heroes who rose to the moment, and reflect on the resilience of the American spirit. America was tested, but our spirit did not break and we will never forget.”

After the Minnesota killings on June 14, Salazar wrote, “I am horrified by the tragic, politically motivated attack on Minnesota state lawmakers. There is no place for political violence in our society. We must reject hate and confront extremism in all its forms. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community.”

Lamondin is hosting a town hall Friday, Sept. 19, across the street from Salazar’s district office at 5725 SW 8th St. in Miami, where he plans to answer questions that attendees to his prior town hall event^[9] said they would have asked Salazar if she had participated.

His campaign says that in her five years in office, Salazar has “not hosted a single open town hall.” Salazar, 63, did attend a GOP town hall on Cuba^[10] last year. She’s also hosted multiple^[11] “meet and greet^[12]” events and made myriad public^[13] appearances^[14].

But her general disinclination to discuss policy and politics in an open, potentially unfriendly forum hasn’t gone unnoticed by her political opponents in recent years. Salazar skipped a town hall^[15] Democrats say they invited her to in March, and there’s a slow-going petition^[16] on the progressive public policy group MoveOn’s website demanding she schedule in-person town halls.

The town hall was originally scheduled for Sept. 12, but Lamondin’s campaign said it rescheduled the occasion “in light of this week’s tragic events” and to allow for “space and reflection.”

Lamondin, the co-founder and CEO of the environmental tech company ecofi^[17], entered the CD 27 race in May and raised more than $250,000^[18] by the end of June. Salazar, meanwhile, reported nearly $1.7 million^[19] in cash on hand — the most of any Florida incumbent seeking re-election.

Others running include Democrats Alexander Fornino and Robin Peguero, the latter of whom former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey endorsed before dropping out^[20] of the race this month.

Fornino reported raising $21,300 so far. Peguero filed to run July 15 and isn’t required to report on his fundraising or spending until Oct. 15.

CD 27 spans the municipalities of Miami, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, North Bay Village, South Miami, West Miami and several unincorporated areas.

Analyses of CD 27^[21], as redrawn by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, showed it was much safer for Republicans ahead of the 2024 election. It was still considered South Florida’s most closely divided congressional district.

Biden won the district under its old borders in 2020 by 3.3 percentage points, according to MCI Maps. Two years later, post-redistricting, DeSantis won it by 17 points, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio won there by 15.

Salazar coasted to re-election^[22] in November by nearly 21 points.

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Editors note: This report was updated to reflect the town hall’s rescheduling.

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