Former Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary last year, announced Monday that she wants to try “something new” — and is running to be the next chair of the Florida Democratic Party.

That pits her against former Sen. Annette Taddeo, who lost her bid for congress last year, in an race to reform and rejuvenate a party that has seen major political losses and division. Fried and Taddeo, who announced her run for the FDP chair about four weeks ago, competed briefly last year in the gubernatorial primary before Taddeo shifted to the congressional race in District 27.

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Does Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago know something we don’t?

Lago doesn’t have a real challenge in this April’s city elections — Jackson “Rip” Holmes can’t beat anyone, let alone the Gables Golden Boy — but he’s raising funds like he’s going to have an opponent. January was his best month, with $58,650 raised, bringing his total to $69,200.

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Did the commissioner abuse his power again to violate someone’s rights?

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ABZ. Anyone but Zilber.

That’s the refrain heard on social media and at private gatherings in Coconut Grove and Brickell when people talk about the special election in Miami’s District 2.

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In the city of Miami special election, if we are to believe the text messages that voters are getting, we have a child molester, a communist sympathizer and an unethical attorney running for the seat vacated in District 2.

Of course, none of that is necessarily true. It’s just part of Miami elections. The smearing of candidates is something voters in the Magic City have been subjected to for decades.

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Add the International Brother of Electrical Workers Local #349 to the list of individuals and entities who have endorsed former (read: disgraced) Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Martin Zilber for city of Miami commissioner in District 2.

Likely under pressure — as the head of the IBEW is the father of a lobbyist who is pals with Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who is pushing hard for Zilber.

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