As always, the candidates in our local elections are not the only ones who win or lose come Election Day. A bunch of influence peddlers, lobbyists, developers, consultants, environmentalists, preservationists and other special interests will float up with the winners on the ballot, or go down the losers’ proverbial drains.

And this has become somewhat of a tradition on Political Cortadito. So, without further blah blah blah, here are the winners and losers of the Miami 2023 elections.

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DEVELOPING: First, he lost his pride when he was arrested in September, cuffed and jailed, on public corruption charges that include bribery, money laundering and official misconduct in a pay-for-play scheme where he gave away a public park for at least $245,000 in campaign contributions, paid hotel accommodations, booze and snacks.

Then, former Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla lost his seat when Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him.

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Commissioner Elect vows to fire city attorney

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It may seem unbelievable, but 1,571 people in Miami voted for a man who stands accused of public corruption charges like bribery and money laundering and unlawful compensation from abusing the very position they want to put him back into.

What are these people smoking?

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In the Miami District 1 race, candidate Mercedes “Merci” Labrada Rodriguez is fighting for a runoff spot against auto parts dealer Miguel Gabela, who four years ago forced a runoff with suspended Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was arrested in September on public corruption charges.

Though he will likely be suspended by the governor again, Diaz de la Portilla — accused of bribery, money laundering, unlawful compensation and other charges — is running to regain his seat. And a recent poll reportedly has him leading with Gabela and Rodriguez behind, in that order.

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As the Miami election deadline approaches Tuesday, there is one thing that is practically certain: It won’t end there. We won’t have winners in two of the three districts on the ballot.

Sure, Commissioner Manolo Reyes will win easy peasy over whoever that guy is that threw his hat in at the last minute and then didn’t campaign at all. But the races in districts 1 and 2 have five and eight candidates vying, respectively, and none, not even the incumbents, will get more than 50% of the vote.

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