The primary presidential run is over. The Republican National Convention is yesterday’s news.

On Monday, Sen. Marco Rubio will officially kick-off his Miami-Dade re-election grassroots campaign with a community rally in his hometown.

One week before absentee ballots are mailed to 218,000 voters in Miami-Dade, Rubio’s home and stronghold, this event in West Miami is expected to ignite his volunteer army and support base in the county where he is expected to get the most votes.

Rubio has been traveling Florida — with stops in Jacksonville, Tampa and Fort Myers — to stump for Trump and push for party unity. He had a primetime speech at the GOP convention — but it was short, and previously recorded and uneventful (thank-you-very-much-Ted-Cruz).  And did I mention unconvincing? For the first time ever, a Marco Rubio speech left Ladra, eh. You can even tell he’s reading the prompter — something this avid fangirl has never seen him do.

Maybe his mind was elsewhere?

Next month, Rubio has a major fundraiser in Tallahassee, where he was Majoriy Leader in 2003 and Speaker in 2006. The lunch is hosted by some big time lobbyists Brian Ballard, Nick Iarossi, Scott Ross and Sean Stafford and their wives. Invited guests are expected to bring checks of $5,400 to the Governor’s Club for the event Aug. 22.

Read related story: Marco Rubio revisits with West Miami crowd as ‘one of us’

Rubio is expected to slide easily through the GOP primary against Carlos Beruff , a millionaire Manatee developer who wants to be the Trump of this race. Then, he’ll face either Alan Grayson or Patrick Murphy in the general. And the most recent polls say that will be an easy contest too. A Quinnipiac University survey from earlier this month shows Rubio with double digit leads over both Murphy (13 points, with 50 to 37 perccent) and Grayson (12 points with 50 to 38 percent).

These leads are double what they were before Rubio officially said he wanted to keep his job.

Some people are critical of the about face: Rubio said he would go into the private sector if he didn’t secure the GOP nomination and not seek re-election. But he is entitled to change his mind. And who wouldn’t change their mind after learning that you are leading the polls (by 7 and 8 points, respectively) even when you are not a candidate? That’s a sign that you should jump back in the race if there ever was one. I know many Rubio supporters breathed a sigh of relief.

This fan girl, for one, couldn’t be happier.

Doors for the kick-off open at 1 p.m. at the City of West Miami Community Center, 901 SW 62nd Ave., and the event starts at 1:30 p.m. This is the same place where Miami-Dade Commissioner and Rubio godmother Rebeca Sosa introduced Marquito during a December presidential campaign stop that brought the house down.

A group of diehard Donald Trump supporters from the Miami-Dade Trump campaign are having a watch party Thursday night in Miami because its the next best thing to being there on the final night of the the Republican National Convention.

“We can’t be in Cleveland so we’re going to get together here,” said former Palmetto Bay Mayor Ed MacDougall, who until a few weeks ago chaired the Miami-Dade Trump Committee.

Read related story: South Dade ex mayor takes Trump pumping to the nation

Even though the nomination is not a big unveiling or anything, “it’s a historic moment, and those of us who support Trump, and who have been doing this for nine months, want to celebrate it together,” MacDougall said.

He still holds a little bit of a grudge against the GOP establishment that shunned Trump from the beginning and has only come to the Party because they have no other choice. And he says that none of the Trump supporters who were there from the beginning got delegate tickets.

“I’m glad the Republican Party is finally coming together, albeit begrudgingly. And I think there will be a price to pay by the Curbelos of the world, and it won’t break my heart,” Mac added, referring to Congressman Carlos Curbelo, who has boycotted the convention and has said he won’t vote for Trump. Curbelo beat Mac in the Republican primary for the congressional race against former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia in 2014.

We won’t see Crybaby Curbelo at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday. Or Congress members Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart. But you may find some longtime Trump campaigners like Denise Galvez of Latinas for Trump and Juan Fiol, who helped organize the party.

Read related story: Local Latinas come out for Trump with Brickell event

Still finding it hard to celebrate about either of our main choices, Ladra might opt to just watch it on cable. But there will likely be some tea party fringe elements present, campaign groupies and a dozen or so consultants and strategists trying to find work or network.

If you want to join them, the festivities hosted by Latinos Unidos con Trump and Hispanas for Trump start at 6 p.m. at the Club at Renaissance, 2340 SW 32nd Ave.

“We have invited people who want to show their support for Trump and those who want to volunteer for the campaign,” Fiol said, adding that Alex Garcia, Republican National Committee deputy state director and director of Hispanic initiatives, and RNC strategist Jaime Figueras are expected to go.

Because everybody else is actually in Cleveland.

You could cut the tension in the room with a knife Tuesday night, when the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations had their first candidate’s forum and former friends Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo faced off for what could be the first time in this election cycle — or ever.

They are so used to working together, not against each other, and you could tell both were uncomfortable with the new dynamic. Pained, even. Certainly extremely awkward.

The other candidate sessions were lackluster in comparison.

Blame Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who was a no-show and gave Miami-Dade School Board Member Raquel Regalado (and, yes, Ladra’s horse) a captive audience of about two dozen people to present her platform and ideas to. She did a great job because she can fill a room by herself. The audience was full of bobbing heads in what Ladra now calls the “aha moment,” which is when people realize she is the real deal and can be the mayor we deserve to have.

Next to her, KFHA President Michael Rosenberg, who is also founder of the Pets’ Trust and has a rocky relationship with Gimenez, had placed an empty chair to represent the mayor — not just his personality but his MIA status. Rosenberg first noted that he had invited Gimenez no fewer than a dozen times. Ladra is not surprised he’d be afraid to try to defend his record of broken promises, sweetheart deals and no-bid contracts to his friends and family.

The opening acts were even more — yawn, stretch — uneventful. Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez and former Commission Chairman Joe Martinez, ran circles around their challengers, the unfortunately named Michael Castro and Felix Lorenzo, respectively. These certainly seem like slam dunk races, so it’s hard to even pay attention. Ladra got her ears pulled for talking in whispers during Martinez’s closing statements. Ay, he is such an unforgiving guy. And he’s trying too hard. Both incumbents — because Martinez once represented District 11 and is the defacto incumbent now that Commissioner Juan Zapata withdrew — should landslide in. Unfortunately. Because nothing makes for a bad elected like a big head that feels no pressure.

Read related story: Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment

But the Taddeo/Garcia face-off was weird enough to make up for the rest of it. And it offers just a taste of what we might see in future debates and/or mailers.

You wouldn’t think that a debate or forum featuring these two carbon copy candidates and former BFFs could be entertaining. They both support the same things. They both love Obamacare and the U.S. reaching out to Cuba. They are both concerned about sea level rise and immigration. They both took jabs at Republicans. Garcia said Everglades restoration was being purposefully mismanaged by Gov. Rick Scott. Taddeo mocked Congress members Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (who beat her 58 to 42% in 2008) and Carlos Curbelo (who they are fighting to face in November) for their efforts to keep studying sea level rise ad nauseaum.

Blah. Blah. Blah. Taddeo even said “Ditto” one time because it was getting repetitive.

But underneath all the outwardly polite agreement, seethed a palpable bitter resentment that surged with a little jab here and there. Him on her total lack of experience in public service. This is Taddeo’s fourth try to get elected. Her on the election fraud issues in his 2014 campaign. Garcia’s campaign consultant and his former congressional chief of staff, Jeffrey “No Relation” Garcia, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for absentee ballot fraud after he was found to have rigged a computer to request ballots without the voters’ permission.

Read related story: Joe Garcia releases first web ad in congressional contest

When asked if negative campaigning had a place, Taddeo was quick to make her position clear. And it’s a yes. But she said it was a “very tough thing” to “let people know about your opponent,” especially when it was someone you once supported.

Once upon a time, Joe and Annette were BFFs

“My level of disappointment to find out that the person I supported to get rid of David Rivera had done exactly what David Rivera had done was very high,” Taddeo said. “I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. It is not right.

“And I know the disappointment I feel is felt by the community because they tell me.”

Garcia did not take the bait.

“Clearly, they’re going to attack. You’ve known me for a better part of two decades,” Garcia told the room, because it basically took him that long — and four tries himself — to get elected. He said that he was going to campaign on his track record, fighting FPL, fighting for children — we guess between his ear wax snacks.

“I’ve worked here. I lived here. I grew up here. I know this community,” he said, which could be a dig at Taddeo’s carpetbagging for a seat, any seat.

Taddeo shot back. She told the audience that Garcia was backed by Big Sugar. “Let’s make sure to follow the money… I;m so tired of the influence of special interests,” she said. To which Ladra would say, yeah, but he had Big Sugar money when you supported him, too.

Still, Obamacare seems to be the go-to for Democrats as much as it is for Republicans (the repeal anyway). Taddeo also took Garcia to task for voting against Obamacare eight times.

Garcia giggled and glimpsed down at his shoes a lot while he waited his turn with his arms crossed. Then he said he had voted against some of the convoluted registration requirements and actually made it easier to sign up. He said he voted for Obamacare more than 50 other times and hit her on her lack of experience. “I was on the floor. Unlike her, I have a record.”

Ouch. That is hitting her where it hurts. Taddeo wants nothing more than a vote record. Anywhere.

But as pained as it might have been for them to be in this position, it was even more so for many in the audience. Said Esther Garvett, a Democrat who has volunteered for both candidates in different races: “It’s breaking my heart.”

Former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora keeps racking up those endorsements in his bid to become the next Florida Senator in District 38.

But so is some young gun attorney named Jason Pizzo who nobody ever heard of before.

It’s natural that Góngora would get his ex colleagues on the dais to join his team: Former Miami Beach Commissioners Ed Tobin and Deede Weithorn and former Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower were the first to jump aboard. They were joined by current Commissioners Michael Grieco and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.

Read related story: Michael Gongora wants senate seat left by La Gwen Margolis

The latest are endorsements from Miami Commissioner Ken Russel and Biscayne Neighborhoods Association President Andres Althabe, who are hosting an event for Góngora on Tuesday at the Charter Club Condominium Association. They are pictured here with the candidate at a past legislative update at Miami-Dade College.

“I am thrilled to have the support of these two leaders who always put the residents first,” Góngora said in a statement. “We have worked together on quality of life issues in the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association including traffic issues, better roads, quality education and better condominium association laws.”

It would be weird for Althabe to support anyone else in the race to replace Sen. Gwen Margolis: Góngora serves as the pro bono community association attorney for the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association.

“I have worked very closely with Michael for the past two years as the attorney for Biscayne Neighborhoods Association,” Althabe said. “He is ethical, honest, smart and someone I know will represent us well in Tallahassee.”  

But this is Russell’s first endorsement as an elected official.  

“I first met Michael when I was running for office as City of Miami Commissioner,” said Russell, who won his seat last year against the better financed Mrs. Teresa Sarnoff, wife of termed-out commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “He has a firm grasp of the issues impacting residents throughout our community and I have confidence in his abilities to produce results which will positively impact our quality of life.”

Weithorn, similarly, said his experience makes Góngora the best choice: “Michael understands government at all levels and will be effective in bringing home funds from Tallahassee to undertake needed traffic and flooding solutions throughout Miami-Dade County.  Additionally, he will continue the fight for Israel in Tallahassee with the new Anti BDS law and divestiture laws.  We need a leader that is sensitive to all issues impacting the diverse community.”

The newly-drawn District 38 runs roughly from Miami Beach to Aventura and from the ocean to I-95, including all of the Biscayne Corridor of Miami through the Upper East Side. There are six other candidates, including State Rep. Daphne Campbell, and Góngora threw his hat in after Margolis withdrew in the wake of some regrettable comments. Again.

He immediately became the front runner.

But this Pizzo person is certainly giving him chase.

Jason Pizzo, a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has loaned himself $400,000 for this contest, has the endorsements of State Rep. Barbara Watson, Aventura Mayor Enid Weisman, Sunny Isles Beach Vice Mayor Jeannette Gatto, Sunny Isles Commissioners Jennifer Levin, Isaac Aelion and Dana Goldman, Surfside Vice Mayor Michael Karukin and Surfside Commissioner Daniel Gielchinsky.

As if that was something to sneeze at, he’s also got the AFSCME union and several black pastors and community leaders.

But it’s not over yet. There are plenty of political endorsements left to be made.

Maybe Campbell can get Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.

Not everybody was shocked by the news Friday that Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata had withdrawn his candidacy and was leaving county government. Zapata — who has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the lack of transparency and the “cost of doing business” at County Hall — has had enough.

“For the past four years, it has been my honor to serve as County Commissioner for District 11. I have fought for the residents of Miami-Dade County to ensure that their tax dollars are not wasted and that we have the most efficient government possible,” Zapata, who is estranged from Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, wrote to the elections department in his withdrawal letter.

“However, the time has now come for me to pursue other endeavors in my life,” he wrote, apologizing to Elections Supervisor Christina White for the inconvenience.

Zapata did not return calls and texts over the weekend. So we have no idea what these “other endeavors” might be? Incorporation? He’s been keen on the efforts of West Kendall residents to form their own city. Back to Tally? The former state rep has often said he preferred that elected position.

Read related story: Juan Zapata to mayor: ‘Where’s the money?’ and ‘Cut taxes’

He’s expressed frustration with county government before. And often. Usually it’s peaks around September, when the commission considers the annual budget. Lately, with the museum giveaways and the taxing district fiasco, it’s been more of a permanent thing than a seasonal one. And it’s no secret that Gimenez wanted him gone. Everyone thinks the mayor put former Commissioner Joe Martinez up to run against Zap, one of his harshest critics. Although they fleetingly once buds, two have had problems for more than a year. Gimenez has publicly snubbed Zap at more than one event. And we are certain that his office leaked and spun that story about the Harvard course — the one he said he intended to pay himself, and eventually did. Because the mayor is a bully.

Now, no matter what happens, Zap’s term at County Hall will be marked not by his knowledge of budget operations and legitimate questions about contracts and taxing districts and county perks, not by his killing of $62 million in giveaways two years ago — but mostly by a false story planted by his enemy to smear him.

So Zapata gave up. “El Zorro” — who has come to our rescue time and time again — was basically worn out. Or chased out. The county commission is a hostile workplace for an honest and inquisitive community representative who gets dirt kicked up in his face every time he tries to make sense out of a hot mess or, here’s an idea, stop it.

But like with most things in life, this exit is both a good thing and a bad thing.

Read related story: ‘El Zorro’ Zapata rides again; kills $62 mil in gifts to insiders

It sucks because — in addition to providing evidence that county government is not the place for a sane and thoughtful elected with no special interests — Zap was the lone voice of reason on that commission (especially now that Commissioner Xavier Suarez is all happy-go-lucky with the mayor he once blasted). Zap is the only one who asks all the right questions. He’s the only one unafraid to call the shell game what it is. He’s the only one willing to corner the mayor on his lies. And we’ll lose that in November. The only consolation we have is that, with any luck, Gimenez will be gone, too, and we won’t need Zapata so desperately.

But his exit also leaves me a little excited about the future. The future three months, that is. Because if there is someone sin pelos en la lengua on the commission, it is Zapata. And now, nobody is safe. It is open season on any commissioner who wants to use convoluted language to justify some inexcusable county expense or policy — or rubber stamp the next corporate or private bailout. 

Ladra, for one, cannot wait until Thursday’s meeting.

And it’s hard to be angry at Zap for bailing. He was working in a hostile work environment.

But I can be disappointed. Especially since he should have dropped out before qualification ended. Because this leaves Martinez to run against some guy named Felix Lorenzo, who ran to oppose the incorporation effort. Which means that Martinez, who has lost bids for the mayor’s seat and a congressional seat, will finally get his coveted elected position back.

And while Zap only replaced him for one term, Ladra hopes Martinez knows he has big shoes to fill. And that his ego is not so big that he can’t see those shoes.