The 2004 Miami-Dade County mayoral election took place on November 2, 2004, following a primary election on August 31, 2004. Incumbent Mayor Alex Penelas was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term, instead opting to unsuccessfully run for Senate. Nine candidates ran to succeed Penelas. Carlos ÃÂlvarez, the Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, placed first in the primary, winning 28 percent of the vote. County Commissioner Jimmy Morales defeated former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferré for second place, 20âÂÂ18 percent, and advanced to the runoff election against ÃÂlvarez. ÃÂlvarez defeated Morales by a wide margin, winning 55âÂÂ45 percent.