One of the names many political observers thought they would see on the bulging ballot this year is MIA so far. But former State Rep. Marcelo Llorente (Rep., District 116) – who came in third during the Miami-Dade mayoral race last year — says not to count him out just yet.
Llorente, who later endorsed Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez over former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, was spotted at the kick-off event for U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Sunday and told Ladra that he had been encouraged by several people to run for something. He could give Carlos Lopez-Cantera heartburn with a stab at the property appraiser’s office. Or swipe the district 11 county commission seat now held by Chairman Joe Martinez, who will resign to run for mayor, from the waiting hands of former State Rep. Juan Zapata (Rep., District 119), who has been waiting like a good designated heir (more on that race later). Martinez did confirm to Ladra Wednesday that he would support Zapata, so that would be a mayoral spin-off fight if it happens: Joe’s guy against Carlos’ guy. Except Ladra is not sure Llorente (photographed here, during one of the early 2011 county mayoral debates, chatting with the eventual winner) even lives in that district and rumors of a recall against Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz seem to be greatly exaggerated. What about school board? Do you live in the district covered now by School Board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla, who is seeking a state house seat instead? Or maybe you want to return to Tallahassee, too? It seems to be en vogue.
“It’s still in the air, isn’t it,” Llorente teased about redistricting maps. “There’s still time.” I swear, you could almost see him wink. He wouldn’t tell Ladra what seat or seats he’d consider or where he had been encouraged to run. But I told him it would be a shame to lose the momentum he built last year.
“I get that comment a lot,” Llorente said, being non-committal.
“I’m having a lot of fun practicing law and trying to put a few deals together.”
What he didn’t say, but Ladra gleaned from public state corporate records, is that his new business partners is attorney Alexander Heckler, the 35-year-old fundraising Democratic Party darling who bundled hundreds of thousands of dollars for Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Hold up. Say what? No wonder Ros-Lehtinen did not call him up to the stage for the photo op with the other electeds and formers there, which is what Ladra thinks caused Llorente’s quick exit after the speech by U.S. House Speaker Eric Cantor (Virginia). I didn’t even get to snap a picture of his still-very-dapper self.
Llorente & Heckler P.A., with an Arthur Godfrey Road address, was founded in November. I called him this week after I found the corporate filing to find out whether this means he really is going to stay out of politics or he’s planning a party switch.
I’ll let everyone know when he calls me back.
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Editor’s note: Okay, he called back at 3:43 p.m., five minutes after this was posted.
“No way! I’ve been a registered Republican since I could vote,” Llorente said to my suggestion and added that his partnership with Heckler is just good common sense.
“He’s a young Democrat. I’m a young Republican. It’s a great combo,” said the West Kendall resident, who is also involved in a consulting firm with Heckler. “He obviously does a lot of government work on the lobbying side. I’m working more on the private sector.”
And he’s still open to another office bid — he just wants to see the dust settle from the redistricting lawsuits and scrambling.
“It’s fun to get the call and encouragement to run. Let’s just see what happens.”
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Llorente sits out races for new biz with big DEM moneyman added by Ladra on
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