Lynda Bell gets big GOP support vs commission challenge

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While it is not a partisan race, it is no secret that the Miami Dade Democratic Party is behind Daniella Levine Cava and her bid to unseat Miami-Dade Commissioner Lynda Bell, a diehard, right-to-life Republican.

Dade Dems even released a web video on Thursday that accuses Bell of wanting to sweep arsenic at a school site under the rug.

Now it’s the GOP’s turn to turn out for their girl.

A group of Republican legislators held a fundraiser for Bell Thursday night at the Coral Gables law office of State Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral). Among the other hosts are almost every red member of the Miami-Dade legislative delegation: Reps. Frank Artiles, Michael Bileca, Jose Felix Diaz, Manny Diaz, Jr., Erik Fresen, Jeanette Nunez and Jose Oliva. 

Ladra guesses that Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, who is termed out and seeking the property appraiser’s job, is not on the list because he has his own fundraising to worry about.

Also listed are Sens. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Anitere Flores and Rene Garcia, Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr., former Congresman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, former State Rep. and mayoral candidate turned lobbyist Marcelo Llorente, former state party Chair Al Cardenas, Republican superwoman Marili Cancio and Miami-Dade Republican Party Chairman Nelson Diaz.

They can’t let an incumbent Republican get knocked off her perch without a fight. That might show a kink in their armor. A swift win in August would also help them keep the chill on the Democratic challenges to every Republican incumbent in the House.

The fundraiser comes as Bell reports close to half a million in her campaign account — $450,000 compared to $329,000 for Levine, which is still extremely respectable for a political neophyte with zero name recognition.

There are a few high-profile Democrats on the host committee as well, most notably Freddy Balsera, Chris Korge and Brian May, who apparently holds no grudge against Bell for voting against the sweetheart Miami Dolphins deal he lobbied for on behalf of billionaire Stephen Ross.

But it’s not like they’re abandoning their party. They’re probably just protecting their gravy train.

  Daniella Levine Cava, Lynda Bell