Call it the year of the Missus.
Following Hillary Clinton‘s ambitions for presidency and, at the local level,
Teresa Sarnoff‘s desire to replace her hubby on the Miami city commission, Coral Gables realtor and former first lady Jeannett Slesnick has filed to run for the commission seat vacated by Vice Mayor Billy Kerdyk.
Slesnick filed for the open seat rather than take on Commissioner Frank Quesada, which is what a few people feared — including Quesada, Ladra hears. Why? Because while Mrs. Slesnick is yet another wife of another politician running for office, she is arguably more popular and better known than her husband, former Mayor Don Slesnick. She’s a seasoned pro who has run all his campaigns.
Unlike Sarnoff, who has reportedly been practically uninvolved in city life, Jeannett Slesnick has been actively part of the Gables fabric and civic life for more than a decade.
And so, despite the fact that Commissioners Vince Lago and Frank Quesada have been supporting and raising money for candidate Tony Newell, Ms. Slesnick immediately becomes the frontrunner in the race. She has a wide base to draw from — both hers and her husband’s (read: hers). She could win even if the overwhelming majority of voters choose one of the other four candidates.
That pool now includes Sandra Murado, who las malas lenguas say was recruited and put in the race by Mayor Jim Cason, who loses his Kerdyk pocket vote and may be looking to replace it with someone as reliable. Cason and Murado do share their campaign consultant, Jorge de Cardenas.
Anyway, since it’s a five way race so far. Ariel Fernandez, who has been campaigning for a year and a half, must be crying in his hot chocolate tonight. This is the biggest blow to his campaign yet. Because with a five man race and 7,100 or so voters, like in 2013, someone (read: Slesnick) could win with as few as 1,500 votes.
Slesnick told Ladra this week that she was considering a run because she did not like the direction the city was taking. She believes that a lot of development has been railroaded through the commission.
“People don’t realize their city is going to look very different in a couple of years,” she said.
Slesnick’s sudden entrance into the race could also change the mayoral race. Former Mayor Don Slesnick was first elected with former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, who is running for mayor and has all of Ladra’s open support. That’t not why I’m saying Slesnick’s entrance helps him. It just does. Voters who may have been disinterested before, but who will vote now because Jeannett Slesnick is running, will likely vote for Ralph Cabrera, too.
In fact, Mrs. Slesnick’s entry into this political minefield just may elevate the whole election as far as media attention is concerned. Many of the 30,000 voters in Coral Gables don’t even know there’s an eletction on April 14th.
But Ladra has a feeling that is about to change.
Coral Gables: Jeannett Slesnick files to run for commission seat added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
Hi, Tim. Let me try to put you at ease. I understand your trepidation, but I am transparent and, hopefully, you will see how clear this is.
I am being paid by Ralph Cabrera, as I disclosed much earlier, to create, design and produce the content for his website (looks pretty good, too — much better than the one he had last time — at http://www.RalphCabrera2015.com). I also provide social media content and strategy and assist with messaging, as well as identify opportunities for media coverage. That is what I do under my other hat: Media consulting. That is also what I mean by “consultas privadas,” which I didn’t even realize was there and perhaps should be explained more fully. Clients have included an anti-aging doctor, a group of divorce attorneys, a non-profit, an online university, Banah Sugar and an architect, as well as a couple of PR firms who subcontract with me. I have built/designed/populated six websites and I have managed or administered 11 facebook pages and five twitter accounts. It’s how I feed my little puppy and pay for our doghouse and biscuits. The blog is not a money maker.
But just to drum that point home: The blog is not a money maker. Ralph doesn’t pay for anything here (although he should buy a display ad, coño!), or my support ON OR OFF the blog. He already had that, which is why he reached out to me. Go back and read my stories on the Gables election in 2013, when I wasn’t “on the payroll.” I was very supportive then, too. Nothing has changed. Even if I weren’t helping with media and messaging in this race, I would write in support of his candidacy. Nothing I say in support of him is paid, as you suggest. He doesn’t dictate coverage and, in fact, is surprised by it when he learns about it by hearing about it or reading it. Political Cortadito is not something we talk about. And, in fact, he was not happy that I reminded folks that he lost by 50 points last time. Too bad, so sad. I am not going to change the facts for him. He pays me for helping HIM get HIS OWN message across. My message and my analysis is never for sale. And if it were, it would be worth A LOT more than $1,500. Which, by the way, is also the case with the services I provide… I give Ralph a discount because I really, truly believe in him as a public servant and am putting my sweat where my mouth is. It would be a crime for me not to help him if I have any expertise that can.
Also, there’s insurance for my readers: Ralph, or any client that chooses to work with me, knows that I have a fast and steady rule: If you do anything unethical and I catch wind of it, I am outta here and I reserve the right to blast about it on this blog. It is probably why I don’t have more political candidates as clients. Woof! Even though, I have a real knack for it.
And it is also another sign that Ralph Cabrera is just the right person to elect.
I hope I’ve cleared everything up and that you will give me the benefit of the doubt. I think I have earned it and, as time goes on, you’ll see that I keep it.
And please contact Elaine at [email protected] for any messaging and media consulting needs. She is absolutely brilliant!
Love, Ladra
You state that Ralph Cabrera has “all of Ladra’s open [sic] support.” You say that you “show who is behind the political shenanigans of the day.” Hold up the mirror, Ms. de Valle. Although only your Spanish version shows that you do “consultas privadas,” the TRUTH is that you are in Rafael Cabrera’s employ, and that any and everything you say in support of him is PAID for. Here is the evidence from Cabrera’s January 2015 Treasurer’s Report filed with the Coral Gables City Clerk:
http://coralgables.com/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=13384
You are being paid $1,500 monthly. Por favor — EXPLAIN.
I am delighted that Jeanette Slesnick will be running for the Gables commission! I’ve often wondered why she never ran previously. She is the consummate Gables activist and will be wonderful on that city’s commission.
While I was born in Coral Gables Hosp. and went to Gables High many moons ago (my class is celebrating our 50th reunion this year), I live in North Miami, now. Although, I can’t vote for her, I will campaign for her. She is just what the Gables needs!
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to Google her website, so I can sign up to volunteer!