Hialeah Aide Accused of Campaigning on City Time
A city employee faces scrutiny for political activity while on the municipal clock during the recent election period.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Camila Kaemmer, a full-time aide for the Hialeah Division of Constituent Services, was observed campaigning for council candidate Luis Gonzalez during her working hours. Kaemmer reportedly spent three hours at the John F. Kennedy Library handing out flyers and soliciting votes.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns regarding the misuse of municipal resources in the Hialeah special election. State law strictly prohibits the use of taxpayer-funded employee services for political campaigning, and ethics guidance requires such activities to occur only during off-duty hours.
Camila Kaemmer receives an annual salary of $48,000 as a full-time city aide. Official records show no payments from the Luis Gonzalez campaign to Kaemmer for her time.
The players
Camila Kaemmer
She serves as a full-time field aide within the Hialeah Division of Constituent Services.
Luis Gonzalez
He is a former 12-year member of the Hialeah City Council running to retain his seat in the current special election.
The details
Kaemmer was seen carrying campaign signs and engaging voters at the library while officially employed by the city. While Gonzalez is seeking to retain his seat after a 12-year tenure ending in 2019, his campaign has not formally accounted for these services in financial disclosures.
Timeline
2019: Luis Gonzalez lost his seat on the Hialeah City Council.
January 12, 2026: Camila Kaemmer was hired by the city.
October 19, 2026: The early voting period began in Hialeah.
October 21, 2026: Kaemmer was observed campaigning at the John F. Kennedy Library.
Political Context
The incident highlights the ongoing tension regarding the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust guidance, which forbids the use of public resources for political advocacy. Critics of the current administration often point to these lapses as evidence of broader municipal governance failures.
This development reminds residents that municipal employees are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics while on the clock using taxpayer funds. Voters may see increased scrutiny on future candidate filings and potential ethics reviews regarding city personnel involvement in current races.
The takeaway
Maintaining a clear boundary between city employment and political advocacy is essential for public trust during election cycles. Residents should report concerns about potential ethics violations to the appropriate municipal oversight bodies to ensure fair elections.
Further reading
For more on local governance standards, visit the Civic Engagement section.
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