Marleine Bastien

Miami-Dade County Commissioner — District 2

Democrat

County

Since November 2022

⚡ Up for Re-Election — Aug 18 2026

🔵 Unverified

Promise Score

50%

1 kept · 4 partial · 1 broken · 3 pending

Voting Attendance

Pending

Not yet entered

🔶

The Bottom Line

Weak Record — 50% Promise Score

50%

Out of 6 scored promises, Marleine Bastien has 1 promise kept, 4 partial, 1 broken, 3 pending. The documented record shows more undelivered promises than fulfilled ones. 3 additional promises are still being tracked.

1 Kept 4 Partial 1 Broken 3 Pending

◐

Invest in Roads, Drainage, Parks and Environmental Infrastructure in District 2

Environment

◐ Partial

The Promise

"Three years ago, I promised good jobs, real affordable housing, and better infrastructure — roads, drainage, and parks that reflect the dignity of our community. I will work to address the flooding and environmental hazards that have long plagued our communities, because every resident deserves to live in a safe and healthy environment."

Gov. Record WLRN · January 22, 2026 · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 | Florida Politics · 2022 · https://floridapolitics.com/archives/568634-passion-to-serve-marleine-bastien-devoted-to-a-brighter-better-district-2-in-homestretch-of-miami-dade-commission-runoff/

The Record

Commissioner Bastien has described making historic investments in long-neglected infrastructure during her first term, including clean water, sewer connections, and safer roads, and partnered with Community Redevelopment Agencies on commercial corridor revitalization including façade improvements and infrastructure upgrades. She has raised flooding and environmental resilience at commission meetings, particularly regarding chronic stormwater flooding in parts of North Miami and other District 2 communities, and supported inclusion of District 2 stormwater and drainage projects within the county's capital improvement plans. In April 2026 she launched the "I Clean Because I Care" community beautification initiative, which is environment-adjacent but does not address flooding infrastructure directly. As of January 2026 she acknowledged these efforts remain ongoing, stating "2026 will be a year where promises become concrete results" — indicating the full scope of her infrastructure and environmental commitment has not yet been delivered. No specific completed park improvement projects, standalone drainage legislation with named outcomes, or independently verified major drainage completions have been documented as of May 2026.

Gov. Record WLRN · January 22, 2026 · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 | Miami Times · January 21, 2026 · https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/miami-dade-commissioner-marlene-bastien-looks-back-on-first-term-eyes-re-eeection/article_906e2164-40b3-4bf3-a486-390a163e821d.html

◐

Increase Youth Programming and Mentorship

Education

◐ Partial

The Promise

"We need to invest in our young people by expanding after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and summer youth employment so they have positive pathways to success."

News Source Florida Politics · floridapolitics.com/archives/568634-passion-to-serve-marleine-bastien-devoted-to-a-brighter-better-district-2-in-homestretch-of-miami-dade-commission-runoff/ · 2022

The Record

Commissioner Bastien has supported funding allocations in the county budget process for youth programming in District 2, including after-school enrichment and summer employment programs administered through Miami-Dade County Parks and community-based organizations. In April 2024, her office hosted the District 2 Community Resource Fair, which included youth support and programming services. Her January 2026 first-term review in WLRN and the Miami Times highlighted housing, small business grants, and economic development as her primary accomplishments, with no dedicated new youth-programming initiative cited. A comprehensive new district-wide youth program has not been established as of May 2026.

Gov. Record Miami-Dade County District 2 Advisory · https://www.miamidade.gov/district02/advisories/2024-04-25-com-bastien-community-resource-fair.asp · April 25, 2024

◐

Strengthen Immigrant Community Support Services

Economy & Taxes

◐ Partial

The Promise

"I will ensure that our immigrant communities have access to legal services, language assistance, and the resources they need to thrive and fully participate in civic life."

News Source Florida Politics · floridapolitics.com/archives/568634-passion-to-serve-marleine-bastien-devoted-to-a-brighter-better-district-2-in-homestretch-of-miami-dade-commission-runoff/ · 2022

The Record

Commissioner Bastien has been an active advocate for immigrant services throughout her term. In 2023–2024 she publicly opposed Florida SB 1718 and supported county funding for community organizations providing legal aid and language access. In February 2025, amid federal ICE enforcement surges, she advised Haitian and other immigrant residents of their legal rights, personally assisted in reversing at least one wrongful deportation, and announced FANM fundraising efforts to provide legal representation to those who could not afford attorneys. She also demanded that the Biden and then Trump administrations extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians through December 2028. Bastien stepped down as FANM Executive Director in December 2024; her 2025 advocacy has been conducted solely in her commissioner role. No new dedicated county immigrant services funding stream has been created, though she continues to support existing nonprofit infrastructure.

Gov. Record WLRN · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2025-02-04/marleine-bastien-haiti-ice-raid · February 4, 2025

○

Improve Public Transit Access in District 2

Infrastructure

○ Pending

The Promise

"I will fight to bring better public transportation options to District 2 so that residents can get to work, school, and medical appointments without having to rely on a car."

News Source Florida Politics · floridapolitics.com/archives/556316-miami-dade-transit-union-endorses-marleine-bastien-for-county-commission/ · 2022

The Record

Commissioner Bastien serves on the Miami-Dade County Commission Transportation Committee and has engaged with the Department of Transportation and Public Works on transit route evaluations affecting District 2. During 2023–2024 commission meetings she advocated for improved bus frequency and connectivity in underserved neighborhoods such as Liberty City and Opa-locka. In her January 2026 first-term review, she highlighted the planned Poinciana Industrial Center as a way to reduce commute burdens by bringing jobs closer to residents, but acknowledged that broader infrastructure work — including transit — remains ongoing. As of May 2026, no dedicated District 2 transit expansion funding has been formally approved, leaving this promise unmet.

Gov. Record WLRN · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 · January 22, 2026

○

Create Programming to House Residents Living in Their Cars

Housing

○ Pending

The Promise

"There needs to be programming to help house people living in their cars — this is a new breed of homelessness."

News Source Florida Politics · https://floridapolitics.com/archives/570083-marleine-bastien-wins-district-2-seat-on-miami-dade-commission/ · November 9, 2022

The Record

As of May 2026, no program specifically targeting residents living in their vehicles has been launched or formally proposed by Commissioner Bastien. Her housing initiatives have focused on affordable unit development (1,200+ units in pipeline), AMI policy reform requiring units at 40% AMI, and major redevelopments such as Palm Court and Poinciana Park. In her January 2026 first-term review, her stated 2026 priorities were accelerated missing-middle housing, expanded small business grants, and commercial corridor revitalization — vehicular homelessness was not mentioned. With her term ending in November 2026 and no action documented, this promise is at elevated risk of remaining unaddressed.

Gov. Record WLRN · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 · January 22, 2026

✗

Expand Workforce Development and Vocational Training in District 2

Education

✗ Broken

The Promise

"We need to upskill Miami-Dade's workforce — I plan to tap county funds to jumpstart new projects and elevate existing vocational programs through partnerships with FIU, Miami Dade College, and local trade schools."

News Source Florida Politics · 2022–2023 · URL not available (original source requires direct verification; closest confirmed article: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/570083-marleine-bastien-wins-district-2-seat-on-miami-dade-commission/)

The Record

No standalone vocational training program was launched during Bastien's first term, and no formal partnership with FIU, Miami Dade College, or local trade schools has been established through county legislation or public memoranda of understanding. Bastien's January 2026 WLRN interview references CRA partnerships that include 'workforce development' as a component of commercial corridor revitalization, but this is bundled infrastructure and economic development work — not the dedicated upskilling and vocational training initiative she specifically promised. The Poinciana Industrial Center, championed by Bastien and projected to bring 500+ jobs to District 2, is a job-creation economic development project and does not fulfill the promise of structured workforce upskilling programs. No 2025–2026 evidence of a new vocational training program launch has been identified.

Gov. Record WLRN · January 22, 2026 · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2

○

Curb Gun Violence in District 2

Public Safety

○ Pending

The Promise

"[Paraphrased] Bastien vowed to curb gun violence in District 2."

News Source Florida Politics · November 9, 2022 · https://floridapolitics.com/archives/570083-marleine-bastien-wins-district-2-seat-on-miami-dade-commission/

The Record

No documented gun violence reduction legislation, community violence intervention fund, or prevention program has been launched by Bastien at the county level during her first term (2022–2026). Her January 2026 first-term reviews in WLRN and the Miami Times cover housing, infrastructure, small business grants, and immigrant protections — with no mention of gun violence efforts. Florida's state preemption law (F.S. 790.33) significantly restricts county-level firearms legislation, though county commissioners retain authority to fund violence intervention programs and community partnerships, a tool Bastien has not been documented to have used for this purpose. No 2025–2026 evidence of a pending or newly announced gun violence initiative has been identified.

✓

Support Small Businesses and Economic Empowerment in District 2

Economy & Taxes

✓ Kept

The Promise

"I'd like to find a way to help these businesses — get resources to where they need to be."

News Source Florida Politics · November 9, 2022 · https://floridapolitics.com/archives/570083-marleine-bastien-wins-district-2-seat-on-miami-dade-commission/

The Record

Bastien created the Marleine Bastien Small Business Grant Program (also called the Mom & Pop Small Business Grant Program), securing $760,000 to help local entrepreneurs in District 2 improve security, expand inventory, and purchase equipment. The program ran at least through May–June 2025, with applications accepted from May 27 to June 10, 2025, and a mandatory informational workshop held at Father Gerard Jean-Juste Community Center on June 5, 2025. Bastien also championed the Poinciana Industrial Center, projected to bring more than 500 jobs to District 2 along with housing and retail, and in January 2026 indicated plans to expand small business grants further in 2026.

Gov. Record WLRN · January 22, 2026 · https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 | Miami-Dade County District 2 Official Press Release · May 27, 2025 · https://www.miamidade.gov/district02/releases/2025-05-27-com-bastien-mom-and-pop-application.asp

◐

Deliver Real Affordable Housing for District 2 Residents

Housing

◐ Partial

The Promise

"Three years ago, I promised good jobs, real affordable housing, and better infrastructure — roads, drainage, and parks that reflect the dignity of our community."

News Source View Source ↗

The Record

As Chair of the Miami-Dade County Housing Committee, Bastien shifted county policy to require all District 2 housing projects to start at a minimum of 40% AMI, replacing the prior county standard of 120–140% AMI that served higher earners. Over 1,200 new housing units are now underway in District 2, including groundbreaking on The Residences at Palm Court (316 mixed-income units for seniors and families) in December 2025, and redevelopments at Palm Gardens, Kline Nunn, Little River Plaza, Little River Terrace, and Poinciana Park. The Poinciana Park redevelopment — a 37-acre county-owned site in Liberty City — advanced through the Housing Committee in July 2025 with an approved Phase 1 of 155 affordable senior units at up to 60% AMI, though a full lease agreement with the developer remained pending as of mid-2025. Bastien acknowledged in January 2026 that while construction is accelerating, the district still does not have enough deeply affordable units for teachers, healthcare workers, and seniors on fixed incomes, and pledged 2026 would focus on missing-middle housing and accelerated implementation.

Gov. Record https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2026-01-22/miami-dade-marleine-bastien-district-2 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/miami-dade-commissioner-marleine-bastien-looks-back-on-first-term-eyes-re-election/article_906e2164-40b3-4bf3-a486-390a163e821d.html | https://www.miamidade.gov/global/release.page?Mduid_release=rel1763494014563308 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/mt_originals/miami-dade-advances-long-delayed-poinciana-park-plan-with-black-equity-and-affordable-housing/article_90a00413-8648-4a1b-b428-654a3ebe3c6f.html

Promise Score Over Time

Month	Score	Entries	Change
May 2026	33%	7	—

Legislative record pending.

Marleine Bastien is the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 2, elected on November 8, 2022. She is the first Haitian-American woman elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission. Born in Pont-Benot, Haiti, she immigrated to the United States and earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Florida International University in 1987. She began her career as a medical social worker at Jackson Memorial Hospital serving families affected by HIV/AIDS and sickle cell anemia. In 1994 she received the Miami-Dade County Volunteer of the Year Award and in 2000 the Miami-Dade County Social Worker of the Year Award. She founded the Family Action Network Movement (FANM) — a nationally recognized organization providing services in healthcare, housing, literacy, immigration reform, and economic empowerment to low and moderate-income families — and served as its Executive Director until December 2024. She has received Congressional recognition from Senator Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, and was named one of the 35 Most Remarkable Women in the World by Essence Magazine. She serves as Chair of the Miami-Dade Housing Committee. District 2 covers portions of the City of Miami, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Hialeah, and unincorporated areas of Liberty City, Biscayne Gardens, and North Dade Central.

Others from County Government

Miami-Dade County Commissioners represent one of 13 districts and serve four-year terms. Commissioner Bastien chairs the County's Housing Committee and serves on the Recreation and Tourism, Transportation, and Safety and Health Committees. District 2 covers portions of the City of Miami, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Hialeah, and unincorporated communities including Liberty City, Biscayne Gardens, and North Dade Central. Her district is one of the most diverse and economically challenged in Miami-Dade, with a large Haitian-American and Caribbean population.

Donor information pending.

Office Phone

(305) 694-2779

Official Email

[email protected]

Office Address

915 NE 125th Street, Suite 2A, Miami, FL 33161

ZIP Codes Served

33054, 33055, 33056, 33127, 33138, 33150, 33161, 33162, 33168, 33169