Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to file soon for re-election

A lot of speculation has been made about whether Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is exploring higher office, perhaps a senate seat or a run for Florida governor in 2018.

But, for now, he’s simply running for mayor of Miami Beach again.

Political consultant Christian Ulvert, a key Levine campaign man in 2013, told Ladra this week that “he’s gearing up for re-election” and focused on the municipality. He said Levine would not file paperwork formally for another couple of months, but that he was definitely running.

What about the ads on statewide blogs and Facebook? “Nowadays, the question is why not do it,” Ulvert asked regarding Facebook.

“He’s just very proud of the work he’s doing in Miami Beach,” Ulvert said. “When you’re in Miami Beach, you’ll see, people talk openly and positively about the work he’s doing.”

People also talk, maybe not so openly and positively, about him seizing control over every aspect of the city and awarding contracts to the clients of another campaign consultant and lobbyist, David “#$%&@!” Custin.

Of course, this re-election bid doesn’t rule higher aspirations out for Levine. A senate race — either because Marco Rubio makes the jump to the presidential race or Bill Nelson retires — isn’t until 2016 and the next governor’s race is two years after that.

Seems like Levine was first elected just yesterday over former veteran Commissioner Michael Gongora. But it will be two years this November and, from the looks of it so far, he’s may not get much of a challenge. There is no buzz about a would-be challenger with any chops.

Both Gongora and former Mayor Matti Bower, who was termed out and lost a bid for a commission seat, told Ladra that they were not seriously considering another try. Seemed to me that they are still licking their wounds. Bower, particularly, feels betrayed by the Hispanic community she believes was bought by Levine’s self-financed million-dollar campaign.

“I’m spending time with my family and friends and I don’t want to get into that again. It’s so dirty,” she said.

Gongora wouldn’t rule out a run for public office — sometime in the not-too-distant future, maybe. But it doesn’t seem that he’s in a hurry to do it this year.

“You never say never. But I’m pretty busy with work and I need to dedicate myself to that,” he said.

Ladra’s favorite mayoral candidate, comedian, former tennis pro and weed activist Steve Berke, might be having too much fun taking pictures of scantily-clad models on South Beach, spoofing Art Basel — where he actually sold 40-some “paintings” in a single day — and poking fun at other stuff on his new media platform, 4TT, or 4TwentyToday, a new YouTube channel that covers news, politics, culture, comedy, music, activism and sports — “all in a pot-friendly way.” Last month, he announced reaching 1 million views.

A mayoral race could cramp his style a wee little bit.

Besides, Ladra thinks everyone is looking at 2017, which would be after after Levine vacates the seat for higher office.

Miami Beach politics, Philip Levine

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to file soon for re-election added by Ladra on February 13, 2015
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