Ladra knew the Congressional race in West Miami-Dade, the GOP battle to take the seat from newly-minted U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, would be one of the closest watched races in the country because it is one of the seats Republicans hope to take back in 2014.
I love it when I’m right.
The National Journal published a list Monday that ranked Garcia as one of the top 30 Democrats in the country whose re-election could be tough. Garcia ranked 15 in their hotlist of “House seats most likely to flip.”
Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, curiously, was the only GOP challenger mentioned in the article, even though there are two other candidates (three if you count the longshot, which Ladra does not) in the primary: Cutler Bay Mayor Ed MacDougall and former Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez, who lost a mayoral bid to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in 2012, but who has a respected Republican firm’s poll placing him in the lead among the three Republicans.
But that’s probably because they haven’t raised nearly as much as Curbelo, and that’s what D.C. insiders look at.
Here’s the excerpt from the National Journal:
15. Florida-26—Rep. Joe Garcia (D) is running for reelection
Garcia is raising money hand-over-foot, but he’s been dogged by a weird scandal (staffers of his plotted to fraudulently cast absentee ballots, apparently without the candidate’s knowledge). Republican Carlos Curbelo could be a strong challenger. One underreported fact about this district: Garcia’s 2012 victory is attributed to then-Rep. David Rivera‘s complete campaign meltdown amidst scandal but Obama’s margin over Mitt Romney in the district was almost exactly the same as Garcia’s over Rivera. Cuban-heavy Miami is experiencing something of a Democratic shift in national politics. GOP Gov. Rick Scott‘s approval could also be a problem for Republicans in the Sunshine State in November.
That “weird scandal” landed his Chief of Staff, Jeffrey “No Relation” Garcia, in jail on a 90-day sentence for illegally requesting the ABs. He got out early, naturally, on good behavior. And the Congressman has said he knew nothing about it, something the State Attorney’s Office has apparently confirmed.
Obviously tickled pink, Curbelo — who could not be immediately reached for comment — sent out a press release touting the article.
“Every day it becomes more and more evident that Garcia’s win last year was a fluke and that he does not adequately represent our community. The National Journal article notes that Garcia has spent most of his time in Congress responding to the scandals prompted by his campaign and raising funds for his reelection. What an embarrassment for the people of South Florida,” Curbelo said, stumping for more campaign cash with a link to his website.
“If you have already contributed, please invite someone else to do the same,” the well-funded Curbelo practically begs. “While Garcia has proven to be a disaster as a Member of Congress, he will have millions of dollars from myriad special interest groups at his disposal. We need the resources to fight back.”
And, also, to keep this race as one of the closest watched party battles in 2014.
Told ya: Joe Garcia vulnerable in ‘likely to flip’ race added by Ladra on
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[…] Curbelo, who may be considered the frontrunner by some — he was the only Garcia challenger mentioned in a National Journal story about seats that could flip — and is reportedly being secretly aided by the national Republican Party people as their […]
Your article has left out the most qualified Contender in the race for the sea in a District 26, “Lorenzo Palomares Starbuck” no other candidate has the reputation, professional qualifications to serve in Congress than he.
Republicans need to elect a Constitutional expert with financial, banking, tax. And Construction experience, that simultaneously is against Common Core, Obama Care, who will defend our Christian/ Judeo principles under attack by the Obama Administration.
No other Candidate in this race is more equipped to represent this District, with a clear position against doing business with the Castro Dictatorship and bringing International business to the District. Palomares Starbuck has International experience and has proven his capabilities when negotiated the release of the tortured Cubas that were being held inhumanly in the Bahamas. No one else was able to help these unfortunate people than Larry Palomares Starbuck and his team of advisers.
This article is not mentioning the most qualified Candidate running for District 26.
Larry Palomares Starbuck, a non recycled politician, with the strongest professional background of all the contenders.
Washington might be making a big mistake if the are just looking for who has the most money, first because Larry Palomares Starbuck will have all the money he needs to run and win. This race is not about who has the most money. It’s about who the voters will choose on the basis of his reputation, qualifications and capability to confront in congress the issues that affect all of us in the District.
The money people that are backing Carlos Curbelo do not vote in the Districk. Is the voters in the District that are against Common Core, and against lobbyists like Curbelo who vote and elect their Representatives