First-time candidate Rolando Escalona just denied the perpetuation of a Miami political dynasty.

With 17 of 22 precincts reporting and tallies of mail-in and early votes on hand, Escalona took 53% of the vote in a runoff race, defeating former City Commissioner Frank Carollo for a seat on the panel long held by the Carollo family.

Escalona will succeed outgoing Commissioner Joe Carollo , Frank’s brother, in representing District 3, which spans Little Havana, East Shenandoah, West Brickell and parts of Silver Bluff and the Roads.

The contest was marked by unusual turbulence, as both candidates faced eligibility challenges that threatened to knock them off the ballot.

Escalona survived a residency challenge in October after a rival candidate accused him of faking his address.

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