One of the two most interesting races in 2015, for what is arguably the most powerful 
seat on the Miami city commission, have two more hats in the ring to replace Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who is termed out this year.
Auctioneer and Coconut Grove Village Council member Seth Sklarey and Lorry Woods, owner of Elwoods Gastro Pub in downtown Miami, have joined three others who want to snatch the seat from Teresa Sarnoff, the commissioner’s wife and, some suspect, would-be proxy. Both filed paperwork Tuesday indicating they had opened bank accounts.
Read related story: Mrs. Sarnoff makes the move for her hubby’s hand-me-downs
The other three in this race are public school teacher Rosa Maria Palomino, market manager Mike Roger Simpson, and veteran activist Grace Solares.
Sklarey is a veteran voice in Miami politics and a past secretary of the AFL-CIO of South Florida and has been an auctioneer.
Woods, who also serves on the Downtown Miami Partnership, is casting herself as a hardworking business owner and “regular Miamian.”
From her press release:
“She started the business five years ago, in the middle of the last Recession. Through perseverance and hard work, her business managed to survive the tumultuous first years of owning a restaurant and is now a thriving local establishment.
“When I first started the business, I saw first-hand the resilience and determination of everyday Miamians working hard to provide a better future for their families. They deserve a city commissioner who will look out for them every single day. They deserve a commissioner who will engage residents, work with businesses, invest in community assets, vote against bad deals, value good government, and fight to make sure regular Miamians aren’t left behind from this latest economic boom.”
In addition to running her small business, Lorry also serves on the Downtown Miami Partnership — a private sector group that facilitates growth for the businesses and residents in the Downtown/Brickell area. While participating on the Partnership’s Quality of Life Committee, Lorry works hand-in hand with residents, Miami police force, the homeless coalition, downtown ambassadors, and public works to reduce crime and ensure the safety of the community.
Prior to following her dream of Moving to Miami and starting her own business, Lorry spent her career as a licensed U.S. Customs broker executing global logistic sales for companies that included FedEx, DHL, and Expeditors International. As a trained negotiator, she has the ability to bring stakeholders together and build consensus to get things done.
Lorry grew up in Denver, Colorado. She has two sons, Robby and Cliff and lives in Downtown Miami with her husband Lewis.
Lorry’s first step on her campaign will be a district-wide listening tour to hear the priorities and concerns of residents and businesses.”
District 2 encompasses some of the rich real estate in Miami’s tax base: the downtown, Coconut Grove and Brickell. There will likely be more candidates in this free-for-all opportunity before qualification deadline in September.
The other interesting race, but not as interesting as District 2, is in District 4, where Commissioner Francis “The Future” Suarez is going to have to beat back three challengers if he wants to stay in office — the venerable Manuel Reyes, who almost beat him three years ago, Ralph Rosado, who ran for state rep once but lost, and newby nobody Tony Diaz, a fledgling political strategist with a couple of failed recalls on his resumé.
Commissioner Willy Gort in District 1 has not drawn any opposition.
And then there were six Miami commission candidates added by Ladra on
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