Rolando Escalona picks up two anti-Carollo endorsements in Miami D3 race

Rolando Escalona, who got into the runoff for the Miami District 3 seat with former Commissioner Frank Carollo, didn’t just get two new endorsements this week. He got two full-throated “por favor, anyone but a Carollo” testimonials wrapped in veteran creds and political déjà vu.
Both Rob Piper and Oscar Elio Alejandro — the two guys who finished right behind Escalona in the Nov. 4 free-for-all — have climbed aboard the rookie’s runoff campaign. And while they’re saying nice things about Escalona, make no mistake: These endorsements are really aimed squarely at the House of Carollo, where political dynasties go to fester.
Alejandro, who nabbed 12% of the vote, didn’t even try to sugarcoat it. He backed Escalona because he wants to “put an end to political dynasties controlling our local government.”
Translation: Miami has had enough of the Carollo brothers’ time-share on District 3.
He had even tried to sue to block Frank Carollo from the ballot because of the city charter amendment voters passed that implement lifetime term limits for anybody who has already served two terms in any seat. Frank Carollo was commissioner before his brother was, from 2009 to 2017. But a judge denied that motion last week. Frank Carollo stays on the ballot because it would disenfranchise the voters who chose him on Nov. 4.
Read related: Judge lets Frank Carollo stay on the ballot — for now — and voters cry foul
What about disenfranchising the voters who overwhelmingly approved the lifetime term limits with almost 80% of the vote. It’s possible that after almost two decades of one Carollo or the other haunting the dais, they may be ready to change the locks.
And then there’s Piper — a Marine Corps vet who once led a recall effort against big bro Joe Carollo and now gets to oppose Frank Carollo. That’s full-circle Miami politics, gente. Piper said voters spoke “loud and clear against recycled politicians.” Translation: He’s tired of reheated Carollo, too.
So, here we are, heading into a Dec. 9 runoff where Escalona — a restaurant manager turned political hopeful who worked his way from busboy to boss — is up against another carbon copy Miami career politician, complete with family franchise.
And now the two men who finished behind Escalona — who took 17% to Carollo’s 38% in the general — are saying he’s the guy to break the mold.
The candidate says he’s building a “coalition” for integrity, accountability and basic city services that actually work. Imagine that! He’s going to need boots on the ground because Frank Carollo is outraising and outspending him about 3 to 1, according to the last campaign finance reports, with transactions through Nov. 7.
He also keeps saying the election is “about people, not politics,” which is adorable in a place where politics is a full-contact sport often fought with subpoenas and secret recordings.
Read related: Miami voters sue to keep Frank Carollo off the runoff ballot after term-limit win
Still, his story resonates. Eleven years ago, he arrived from Cuba with nothing but ganas and worked his way up to managing 150 employees and earning a political science degree at FIU. Now he wants to overthrow the Carollo regime in Little Havana, East Shenandoah, West Brickell, Silver Bluff and parts of the Roads. Ambitious, sí. But not impossible.
And with Piper and Alejandro — both Democrats — now endorsing a Republican, in a supposedly “nonpartisan” Miami election, you can feel the anti-Carollo coalition forming like a tropical storm.
This isn’t just about Escalona gaining support. It’s about a district that is tired. Tired of drama. Tired of dynasty. Tired of the same last name on the ballot.
District 3 voters get another say on Dec. 9.
And if these endorsements mean anything, Ladra wouldn’t be surprised if what they say is: “Basta ya. Time for something — and someone — new.”

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