Finally! Someone has stepped up to the plate to challenge Miami Beach Mayor Philip “Mr. Ego” Levine.
Ladra’s hero is attorney David Wieder, chairman of the 
Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board.
Former Commissioner and mayoral candidate Michael Gongora, who almost got into a runoff with Levine in 2013, first announced it on his newsletter Tuesday. “He called me early this morning to tell me he was going to run for mayor and he wants to sit down and talk with me about it,” Gongora told Ladra. Wieder, a personal injury attorney, confirmed it with the Miami Herald, telling them he would file the necessary documents this week. Qualifying deadline is noon Sept. 11.
Wieder now becomes the No. 1 target for the shady Relentless for Progress PAC that Levine and his partner in crime, Commissioner Jonah Wolfson — who is termed out — have collected nearly $1.4 million for from contractors, vendors and developers with interests or business in the city.
Read related story: Miami Beach candidates shy away from mayor’s shady PAC
Not sure how much the PAC will be part of his platform. Still waiting for Wieder to call Ladra back.
But historic preservation has already been brought up by several candidates and just might be what spurred Wieder to run. Residents along La Gorce seem concerned by the number of historic homes being razed and replaced by McMansioins. And North Beach residents are concerned about a zoning variance requested for height on a 22-story building proposed for Ocean Terrace, a little three-block strip of mostly two- r three-story Art Deco structures.
Either way, it is good for the constituency to have a candidate that will force a debate with the mayor on these and other topics and presents voters with a clear alternative to an apparent bully who is trying to secure all the council seats so that he can continue to do whatever he wants (read: appoint Wolfson mayor next year when he leaves to run for something else).
God bless Mr. Wieder. He’ll have an uphill battle. But Ladra thinks Levine is vulnerable — especially now that the shady PAC has backfired on him — and can be beaten by a serious candidate.
Read related story: Miami Beach: Levine and Wolfson on defense for shady PAC
Gongora would definitely be that as well and he hasn’t ruled another run out. Not yet. In fact, he would have run for sure if Wieder had not stepped up.
“I certainly wasn’t going to let anyone get a free ride,” he said.
Gongora recognizes that a new candidate might have a harder time beating the incumbent millionaire mayor. “Because Levine can always put another $2 million in this election,” Gongora said, referring to the mayor’s campaign expenses in 2013.
He said he is going to make a decision on whether or not he jumps in after the Sept. 1 “meet the candidates” luncheon hosted by the Miami Beach Bar Association and the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce and moderated by CBS4’s Elliott Rodriguez at noon at the National Hotel, 1677 Collins Ave.
“I’m kind of curious to see them all together,” Gongora said of the candidates.
Ladra is sure that lots of people are. So get your tickets now at this link here. Advance sales are $35 but they are $40 at the door and you gotta RSVP by Thursday.
David Wieder challenges Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine added by Ladra on
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