This is a different Carlos Gimenez.
What a difference a year makes, eh? Sixty days before another Miami-Dade mayoral primary election and the tables are turned on the incumbent, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, a one-time underdog who was outspent by almost 3 to 1 in a close call that almost woulda coulda but not shoulda gone the other way. (Read: Whew).
This is a different Carlos Gimenez. And it is not just that he has two more grandchildren now than he did when he was campaigning a year ago. Gimenez has never looked or sounded more confident — well, maybe once, at that debate where he challenged former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina on his videotaped support of the public funding for the Marlins stadium. But now he is definitely more relaxed. Like a guy who has the numbers – both the double-digit margin kind and the 7-digit figure kind – to take it easy.
After less than a year on the job he fought tooth and nail for, Gimenez was at home at his re-election kick-off at La Carretta in Westchester last month. In fact, it seemed more like a reunion than a rally as he was surrounded by the same cast of campaign bees, friends and supporters from the June celebration last year. Among them: Jose “Pepe” Cancio, a former county commissioner who also ran for mayor against Gimenez in the crowded primary last year, his former campaign manager J. C. Flores and former State Rep. Marcelo Llorente, another 2011 mayoral candidate that threw his support behind Gimenez for the run-off. The mayor listed – yet again – all the things he said he’d do that he did and talked again about his family and league of friends and thanked them for their unwavering support. He kept it light, joking to one daughter-in-law that it was her turn to make him a grandfather again.
Gimenez told Ladra after the big speech that the main difference between him and Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez is his experience as an administrator. His campaign will hammer on the messages that he has done what he said he would do — cut costs and personnel to streamline government. “That’s what the recall was about,” said one campaign insider, referring to the historic booting of former mayor Carlos Alvarez, which paved the way for Gimenez to get the county’s top post.
Martinez was quick to give his own version of the difference.
“I don’t consider him an administrator. He might be a bureaucrat,” Martinez told Ladra in a telephone interview, reminding Ladra that he was at the helm of the county budget and operations before voters approved the strong mayor system and again during the nine months between the recall and the election of Gimenez. “I ran the county with my colleagues and the county manager.”
Yes, he constantly sounds like he is on the defensive. Meanwhile, Gimenez was cool and non-chalant and worked the crowd like a celebrity. He’s been described by several people, including one unnamed county commissioner, as someone “without a care in the world.”
That’s the comfort that comes with being the front runner. According to several sources in positions to know, the mayor’s numbers went up in a poll done a few weeks ago when compared to one done in January. While the real numbers were elusive, everyone agreed that the double-digit lead at the beginning of the year grew significantly since then. That coincides with tracking figures. The Gimenez campaign had made somewhere around 35,000 phone calls by the end of last month, according to one insider. And if you don’t believe it, ask around. Chances are you know someone who got a call. Those people favored the mayor 3 to 1, even though tracking figures like that aren’t as reliable as polls because the callers identify themselves as calling from the campaign, so everyone figures some are going to lie, either intentionally and maliciously o de pena.
The money gap seems to be as wide – or wider. Gimenez, who reported having raised $600,000 by April 1, between his campaign account and his Common Sense Now PAC, will likely be over the $1 million mark in his next quarterly report. Especially after the fundraiser tonight hosted by every young professional with political interests in the 305. Dicen las malas lenguas that Gimenez will be introduced by none other than Jebby Bush, Jr., and Andrew Korge. (More on that later).
Martinez needs to at least triple the $325,000 he’s collected for his campaign and through his PAC if he wants to catch up. Or keep up.
But he won’t. Unless he gets another couple hundred thou from hidden sources. And he seems resigned to that. He doesn’t seem to be putting the same effort into his campaign as the incumbent. At least publicly. While Gimenez pays for polls and pastelitos at kick-off parties, as he readies to open his second campaign office this Saturday, Martinez told Ladra he won’t take his own poll and he won’t have any kind of kick-off fete.
“Not me,” he said. “The normal strategy is to raise money, money, money, money,” Martinez said, yep, on the defensive again. “My strategy is to get a team together, meet the people who are interested in helping the community and then raise money.”
He had not sent any mailers out yet when we spoke a couple of weeks ago. “But we’re in full campaign mode.” He has a meet and greet in Doral July 2.
See? Dazzle versus fizzle.
Ladra would warn Gimenez not to get too cocky, however. Martinez will have the looming PBA endorsement – he already has their money – the snakes shaking the tails in Hialeah and a mighty powerful absentee ballot machine.
Besides, remember what happened to front runner last year?
Miami-Dade mayoral race: Dazzle vs. Fizzle added by Ladra on
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