Orthodox Jewish Man Elected Mayor of Surfside

By COLlive reporter

In a stunning victory, businessman Shlomo Danzinger was elected the first Orthodox Jewish mayor of Surfside, Florida, on Tuesday.

In a special election, Danzinger beat incumbent mayor Charles Burkett, who came in third place in the election despite amassing the largest war chest of all candidates, the Miami Herald reported.

This is the first election since the collapse of Champlain Towers South, a 12-story beachfront condominium in Surfside, in which 98 people died on Thursday, June 24.

Danzinger was a member of the Chabad community in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights section.

Shlomo Danzinger is married to Rochel Leah Danzinger and has 5 children, 3 of which are currently attending the Ruth K. Broad Elementary School.

In 2010, Shlomo Danzinger moved to Florida in pursuit of enhancing the quality of life for his family. He settled in the upscale oceanfront community of Surfside in 2012.

Danzinger, who lost his run for the commission of Surfside in 2020, said he wants to promote more walkability in town and address traffic issues, according to the Herald.

He was certainly surprised at the results and being elected by the 6,000 resident community.

He said he ran because he “saw a need for major changes and safety for his family, friends and community.”