Another lawsuit is filed by a candidate in District 1
There will be no primary as three candidates — a Republican, a Democrat and an independent — qualified to run in the special election for House seat 118, vacated when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Juan Fernandez-Barquin as Miami-Dade clerk and comptroller.
First time candidate Mike Redondo, a Republican personal injury attorney, and perennial candidate Johnny Farias, a Democrat electrician and former community councilman, will duke it out with independent Francisco “Frank” de la Paz. It is somewhat of a swing seat. The predominantly Hispanic district, previously held by Democrat Robert Asencio, is a narrow sliver of Miami-Dade County west of the Florida Turnpike, including Goulds, Kendall, Sunset, and South Miami Heights.
After several cancellations, the foreclosed Little Havana house owned by Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla — you know, the one he supposedly doesn’t live in because it’s outside his district — has been set for auction in November.
Unless he gets another last minute reprieve. Again.
August 10th came and went and there were no campaign finance reports filed in Florida for state candidates. Or for county candidates. Or for city candidates.
Did anybody else notice this had happened?
The public will have six opportunities this week to hear details about the proposed $11 billion, 2023-24 Miami-Dade budget — which includes a proposed $36 annual garbage fee increase — beginning Wednesday in North Dade.
But will they have a chance to make any meaningful input? That is the real question. Are these just futile exercises for the sake of optics? To make it seem like a participatory process?
The breakfasts in South Miami have become a political staple. Gov. Ron DeSantis has been to the CasaCuba events hosted by Community News twice. Former Congressman Charlie Crist swung by last year. Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez was the last speaker.
They’ve had former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, former Miami Herald Publisher David Lawrence, who now leads The Children’s Trust, and new Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega.
