Ahead of the Tuesday runoff in Miami’s District One commission race, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal entered an opinion confirming the validity of a candidate’s candidacy in the election, while denying that candidate’s motion for sanctions and fees against the City of Miami.

The ruling was bad news for the defendant-appellant, the city, who pushed back against Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Pedro Echarte Jr.’s interpretation of the residency requirement, by which the court found that Miguel Angel Gabela, 59, an auto parts salesman in his fourth bid for the city commission, was qualified as a candidate for the election on Tuesday.