She’s been known as the body bag commissioner because she once threatened a colleague with those words in a late night, early morning budget hearing.  But on Tuesday — er, I mean, on “Honorable Natacha Seijas Day” — the former Hialeah commissioner who was ousted in an ugly and historic recall in 2011, was re-christened The Mother of the Living Wage.

That’s because Seijas was the one who brought us the living wage ordinance in 1999. And on Tuesday, after years of appeals were exhausted with a Supreme Court decision to let the ordinance stand, Seijas was honored for having the foresight.

The kudos was sponsored by her best friend, Commissioner Barbara Jordan, but everybody joined in for the congratulations afterwards, even Commissioner Esteban Bovo, who was way too eager to take over her district and has not been, shall we say, exactly the prodigal son.

Read related story: Budget breakfast for Bovo and Seijas

Well, everybody but Mayor Carlos Gimenez. He was conspicuously absent and Seijas openly inferred no surprise. There is no love lost there.

But everybody else had a kind word.

“This legislation was really a watershed moment in this community,” said Commissioner Dennis Moss.

“Every once in a while, we get the opportunity to do something that is truly remarkable and changes the lives of individuals and makes their lives greater than what it was before,” Jordan said, while Seijas continued to greet people from her past.

“And she is still talking as she used to do on the dais,” Jordan said.

Among those people she was greeting, Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, who was the co-sponsor of the pioneer 1999 legislation.

“As we used to do here when we served together, I am going to yield the floor to my good friend,” the Flagship DLP said.

“He does that only because I walked out on him one time and he didn’t have a quorum. So we became good friends after that,” Seijas quipped back.

“I always thought I would be always known for the body bag [comment],” she said. “Now, I’m known for something that really, really, really makes anybody feel happy and content and fulfilled.”

Read related story: Natacha Seijas — From ousted official to kids’ author

Diaz de la Portilla, who served as a county commissioner from 1993 to 2000, said that while the law passed unanimously on May 11 some 17 years ago, it was a battle to get there. “There was a lot of opposition. Opposition from vendors who did business with the county … but with the support of the labor unions, with the wonderful support of the attorneys office, with the support really of an entire community of working of the people who only wanted to provide for their families decently we were able to build the momentum to get a unanimous vote.”

He also thanked the FIU Labor Center, the Human Services Coalition and the local League of Women Voters for working with the county to make the Miami-Dade living wage ordinance a reality. It requires companies that have contracts with the county to pay their workers higher than the minimum wage (right now it’s at $12.63 an hour if health benefits are offered and $14.56 an hour without them).

Seijas said that it was fulfilling to get the votes and pass the law, but that people like SEIU Florida President Monica Russo were the ones who “work and make it happen.”

Russo called Seijas a brave and courageous leader.

“She taught me in the trenches of Hialeah the meaning of community, the meaning of having those one on one conversations every single day with her constituents, listening, not just talking at but really listening,”Russo said. “For being a fighter for her neighbors, for her constituents… It had nothing to do with party affiliation. It was all about investing in and empowering the community.

“She has been a great and incredible mentor for me,” Russo said.

Commission Chairman Jean Monestime thanked her for her leadership but said there was still work to be done. “Working people still need a lot of help.”

It was the second time that Seijas has been back in commission chambers since she was ousted, the first being when Monestime was sworn in as chairman.

“I have no desire to go for nonsense,” she later told Ladra. “But something that makes a difference, yes.”

And Tuesday? “It was a very nice moment.”

Former Congressman Joe Garcia, who wants his job back in Washington, is talking all over the internet today about his track record and his connection to the residents District 26.

“Hi. I’m Joe Garcia. You know, a few years ago we began a journey together, a journey to bring the voice of South Florida to Washington,” Garcia starts with the almost two-minute message. “We were successful on so many issues, whether it was trying to fix our immigration system, lowering interest rates for college students, fighting increases on our flood insurance.”

He also takes a swipe at U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who beat him two years ago amid headlines about absentee ballot fraud by his campaign manager, who ended up sentenced to 90 days.

Read related story: Miami GOP draws first blood on Joe Garcia in FL26

“One of the things we tried to do when we were in Washington, was make sure you knew exactly where I stood on issues of importance… Today, we have a representative that says one thing in South Florida and does completely the opposite in Washington — on women’s healthcare issues, the environment, global warming, gun control or investing in our families,” Garcia says without naming Crybaby.

“On each and every one of these issues, the republicans have let our community down. Like you, I love this community… And I want to go back to making sure we have a voice in the important issues of our day. I’m asking for your help.”

Read related story: Joe Garcia goes from zero to hero in 60 seconds

Um, but what about August? Is he’s ignoring the primary opponent, Annette Taddeo?

Once upon a time, Joe and Annette were friends

“People in the district know Joe. They have voted for him in several elections,” said Javier Hernandez. “We are focused on speaking on the issues ignored by Carlos Curbelo. That is our aim in this election.”

Which is a long way of saying yes. Which is what you do when polls show you have a 25 point lead or so ahead of your primary opponent.

Garcia may be the first to release a web video in this race. Digital advertising is growing and while some consultants will tell us that it can never replace direct mail, more and more candidates are using them because it is not only cheaper, but the way to connect to voters on a platform voters feel comfortable in.

Love the hair!

Web ads also offer more time for candidates to tell their story and make their pitch. Garcia’s first web ad features photos of him as a child, as a young parent with his daughter on his shoulders and a black and white of his grandfather.

Hernandez said it was too early to tell if it would be aired on television as well.

“Our strategy adopts new forms of media as well as old and we want to get Joe ties to the community and his track record out to everyone,” Hernandez said. “This is just a first step.”

Looks like we may have a Democratic primary in the House 115 race between two perennial applicants.

Ross Hancock, who ran against Erik Fresen in 2012 and 2014 and for Coral Gables City Commission in 2013, has been running since January. Earlier this month, Jeffrey “Doc” Solomon, who has run for state House twice and for Pinecrest Village Council once, filed paperwork intending to run for the same seat.

They both want the chance to go up in November against Rep. Michael Bileca (R-Pinecrest).

The seat is one of those winnable seats that went for Charlie Crist for governor in 2014 and Alex Sink before him in 2010. It is the fifth most vulnerable-to-turnover House seat in Miami-Dade.

So… who is the Democrat with the best chance?

Solomon already faced Bileca once. After losing to State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz in 2010 (54 to 33%), he ran against Bileca in 2012 and got 47 percent to the incumbent’s 53. That’s much more respectable, especially when you compare what they spent. Solomon raised and spent just over $75,000 to Bileca’s $522,000. Yep, more than half a million went to defend that seat. Similarly, Ross almost sank Fresen in 2012, and probably scared him to death, by getting 49 percent of the vote to the incumbent’s 51. And that was with less than $10,000 and zero Democratic Party involvement to Fresen’s $265,800. But, yes, both men rode Obama’s coattails.

Daisy Baez couldn’t do as well with $252,000 and the full party throttle — getting only 44 percent of the vote against Fresen two years later. But that was an off year. She is expected to be the front runner in the open seat race this year now that Fresen is termed out.

Hancock, who did not do as well as an NPA in 2014 (with 3%), is an environmentalist who brands himself as an “independent Democrat.” And he has decided to put his money where his mouth is this time. The marketing professional loaned himself $100,000 and plans to appeal to independents in a district that slightly favors Republicans (Mitt Romney won the district by 290 votes).

Read related story: Net worth up for lawmakers — Michael Bileca tops House

Solomon is a popular chiropractor. He was the set chiropractor on Miami Vice when it filmed here in the 80s, and serves on the Pinecrest Zoning Board. But he is starting late and, unless he’s willing to loan himself some serious dough, could be playing catch up a month before absentee ballots drop.

State Rep. Michael Bileca

Bileca, a strong campaigner and well-liked incumbent, will ultimately raise much more than either Ross or Solomon. He has friends like Jose Felix Diaz and Carlos Trujillo who are not facing opponents and will help him raise money. He has access to all their fat PACs.

So why fight it out at a primary at all? Wouldn’t it be wiser to support one challenger? 

Solomon might be taller but Hancock has done better on Election Day. He has been researching Bileca for six months and carries a green, loose leaf binder with every committee and floor vote that Bileca has cast since 2010, tabbing some as “Grinch votes” that he says show Bileca to be “a man with a small heart.” (Votes against school recess, HIV prevention, healthcare for the poor). He is the only one who speaks some Spanish, which is probably gonna go over well in a district where more than 55 percent of the 97,697 voters are Hispanic, many of whom are not voting for Donald Trump. 

Hancock even has the endorsement of the Florida AFL-CIO already. Apparently, Solomon missed the screening.

Maybe he should start earlier next time. 

John Couriel, who is running for state rep in the district vacated by Erik Fresen, is opening his campaign headquarters this weekend — in the Interamerican Bank building where Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa has her district office.

Couriel, who ran unsuccessfully in 2012 against Sen. Gwen Margolis (38 to her 62 percent), is one of two Republicans who is running in the District 114 primary. The other is Jose Pazos, who also ran for a House seat in 2010, but came in fourth and lost to State Rep. Michael Bileca. But Pazos hasn’t raised a dime since January, and sources say some family care issues may have him withdraw his candidacy so it’s likely that Couriel will win the nomination outright. Unless someone else qualifies before noon Friday.

Meanwhile, Couriel, an attorney who raised more than Margolis in 2010, has almost $168,000 in his war chest, which means he can afford nicer real estate than the InterAmerican Bank off 8th Street.

Whoever the GOP finalist is will likely face Democrat Daisy Baez in the November general in what many Dems hope is a turnable seat. Obama got just over 50 percent in 2012 and Charlie Crist beat Gov. Rick Scott in the district by a tiny margin in 2014, when Baez first went out and got 44 percent against an incumbent who outspent her two to one. She might have a primary, too. Alberto Santana has filed to run against her but is probably going to be largely ignored as she hones in on November.

Read related story: Jebby Bush leaves Pop to stump for John Couriel’s House seat

This will be one of the most contested local races to watch.

Couriel’s campaign HQ will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at 1000 SW 57th Ave. in West Miami. Anyone who wants to volunteer is encouraged to stay afterwards and get to work.

And who knows who might make a cameo? Jeb Bush, Jr., had a fundraiser for Couriel last year. And Sosa lives only a few blocks away. 

The program allocates one hour for the speakers, but Ladra bets the Democrats of South Dade Club meeting Tuesday goes late.

That’s because there are no fewer than eight blue party candidates — one congressional, one state senate wannabe and six House hopefuls — on the schedule. And who knows how many more will just show up to say hi?

Most interesting on the program is Florida Senate candidate Ana Rivas Logan, a former Republican state rep who finally threw her hat in against Sen. Dwight Bullard in the District 40 primary as Ladra suggested and predicted months ago. Was Bullard not available? Or are the South Dade Dems among those who don’t think he can beat State Rep. Frank Artiles in November and want to bet on Rivas instead?

Can you say awkward?

In fact, the only incumbent at Tuesday’s forum is State Rep. Kionne McGhee, who is unopposed (sure, there’s an NPA who opened an account, but she has reported raising no money and Ladra doubts she will even qualify). He almost doesn’t have to speak and can give his time to his party mates.

The other five are:

• Daisy Baez, who is running for the open seat in District 114 left vacated by the term-limited Erik Fresen. It is her second run after getting 44 percent in 2014 with about half his money. There is another Democrat named Albert Santana in the primary, but while he has loaned himself $42,000, he does not look like much of a challenge to Baez, who many expect to turn the seat blue this year.
• Ross Hancock, who wants to run in District 115 against State Rep. Michael Bileca but may face a primary challenge against Jeffrey “Doc” Solomon, who most recently failed a bid for Pinecrest Village Council.
• Robert Asencio, a former Miami-Dade Schools Police lieutenant, is running in the seat vacated by Artiles’ dash for the Senate. The longtime public employee advocate — who has traveled to Tallahassee as president and founder of Florida Public Employees Partnership to advocate against pension reform — is the only Dem running in that race, which has five Republicans listed as potential foes, including former Congressman David Rivera and former Miami-Dade Commissioner Lynda Bell.
• Kevin Diaz, one of two Democrats running in District 120 against Holly Raschein. He’s a Miami attorney who grew up in Homestead.
• Daniel Horton, the other Democrat running in District 120, after switching from the Democratic Senate primary in District 39 against Andrew Korge.

That’s from the program. Ladra would not be surprised if Solomon and Santana showed up.

And let’s not forget the congressional candidate, Scott Fuhrman, who is going up against the least vulnerable Republican around, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who hasn’t had a challenge in, well, has she ever? Fuhrman may have an unfortunate name (any relation to Mark of OJ fame?) and rap sheet (several college arrests, a DUI and a fleeing the scene of an accident), but he also has $250,000 burning a hole in his pocket and the Democratic Party’s support in a year when they hope the toxicity of Donald Trump helps them win seats when GOP voters stay home.

Now, how are these eight candidates going to speak in one hour’s time? Ah, because the Kendall Dems have Bob Goldstein, the longtime club president, who has experience cutting politicos off mid-speech.

The event at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, 7701 S.W. 76th Ave., begins with social time at 7 p.m., followed by club business at 7:30. The candidates will start speaking about 8 p.m.

But don’t hold them to the 9 p.m. end time. Bob’s good but there are bound to be questions from the audience.

We’ve all just figured out what Plan B is for the family and friends of Miami-Dade Carlos Gimenez should he get fired by voters and lose his seat at County Hall in August: Get another seat on the school board.

The mayor’s sister-in-law filed documents earlier this month to run for the Miami-Dade School Board in the seat vacated by Raquel Regalado, who is running against Gimenez. How convenient. I mean, we wouldn’t want any of the Gimenez children to have nowhere to go for handouts. Where would his millionaire friends get their game-changing grants? And his contractor buddies would have to actually compete for work? Shudder the thought.

Sure, sure, I am helping Raquel with her campaign to become the first female mayor of Miami-Dade County. Because it’s about time. Because she has a proven track record at the fourth largest school district in the country. And because she is the best alternative we have to Carlos Gimenez, who lies to the people and gave a $4 million no-bid contract to his son and finds jobs and business for his buddies and million-dollar subsidies for his campaign contributors.

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez’s son’s firm got $4 million PAC repair job

But guess what? I would have been against Mari Tere Rojas anyway.  Ladra would not have believed in the integrity of this surprise candidate nonetheless and would not be — surprise, surprise — impartial.

And guess what? None of that makes what you’re about to read any less true. But since nobody else points out the obvious, the job is left to Ladra.

It’s going to be hard to run a campaign against Rojas. I mean, she’s probably raised $100,000 already. Yes, that’s a lot for a first time candidate. And, no, it isn’t because she was been a teacher and principal at elementary schools for 30 years.

Lourdes Gimenez and CJ Gimenez say words at Mari Tere Rojas’ kick-off

Not a lot of first-time candidates have their kick-offs at the Biltmore Hotel, where Rojas had her first shindig last week (you can see all the usual suspects in her Facebook pics). Not a lot of first-time candidates have the mayor’s wife and son, a known lobbyist, introduce her. Not a lot of first-time candidates — even longtime educators — have the golden, grabby hands of Brian Goldmeier, the mayor’s professional fundraiser, shaking the trees for them.

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez pals own land for/near new soccer stadium

Goldmeier’s probably already made calls to people who have maxed out on the mayor’s campaign. “Hey, here is another way you can help Carlos Gimenez.” Wink, wink. Nod.

So, who is going to want to go up against that?

His name is Richard Tapia. He is a Miami Dade College professor and former public school teacher. And I expect to be learning more about him in the next few months and sharing that with you all. Because, as we have established, Ladra is not impartial. And the fact that he is not connected to the corrupt Gimenez cottage industry is a good thing.

But, hey, now the mayor’s wife or one of his daughters-in-law can run for a city of Miami commission seat.