The runoffs in Miami and Miami Beach on Tuesday ushered two unknown, first-time candidates 
to their respective city commission seats against established and well-financed opponents who were front runner favorites.
Some political observers are looking at the victories of both Ken Russell in Miami and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez in Miami Beach as yet another sign of a changing public — a more weary, distrustful voter — that could mold a different future political landscape.
Even in the other Miami Beach commission races, in fact, a PTA mom beat a civic leader and engineer and a businessman beat the husband of a sitting commissioner. In fact Mark Weithorn, husband of Miami Beach Commissioner Deede Weithorn, may have suffered from the same anti-legacy voter sentiment that beat Teresa Sarnoff, wife of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff.
Read related story: Mr. and Mrs. Sarnoff give up seat to Ken Russell sans runoff
So what happened? And does this mean that Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in trouble? Well, not necessarily against Miami-Dade School Board Member Raquel Regalado. They are 
both sort of insiders, establishment candidates, aren’t they? They’re like two clumsy incumbents wrestling for the microphone.
But anyone remember Jay Love? A candidate like that — the colorful owner of the Hooligan’s Pub chain, who came in a close third when Alex Penelas was re-elected in 2000 — might do better in today’s political climate, where outside the box is the new appeal.
This might be a reflection of the national trend. The same anti establishment wave that has billionaire Donald Trump and surgeon Ben Carson leading national polls for the presidential nomination — and, on the other side, Bernie Sanders burning up the millennials — may have helped these two underdog long shots get elected against overwhelming odds and money.
Some say they also see a trend of support going to younger candidates, even at the national level. “People are sick of the same old thing and are looking for fresh blood,” said one longtime political consultant.
“People don’t trust government because of insiders. They want people with no strings attached, and that means we’re watching the next generation of politicians come up,” said another.
Russell obviously positioned himself as that fresh face: His slogan was “A new generation of leadership.”
“It’s a trend in the entire country,” Russell told Ladra Wednesday. “People are excited about outsiders. They are very tired of the typical rhetoric. Being part of the establishment is not an 
advantage anymore. It’s more of a liability now.”
One of the strategies in Russell’s campaign was to reach out to voters who are typically ignored by campaigns, to go beyond the 4s and 5s known as likely voters and connect with the 3s and the 2s and maybe even some 1s who hardly vote.
“We were trying to activate people like me who weren’t involved before,” Russell said.
That energy also made a difference. Both Russell and Rosen Gonzalez were relentless. They knocked on thousands of doors, without taking days off.
Read related story: Two stars may rise from city of Miami election upset
Rosen Gonzalez connected with the young voters, but also seemed to charm the coveted 65+ voter.
“I think people just want authenticity. They want the truth,” Rosen Gonzalez said.
It doesn’t hurt that both Ken and Barbie had the aw shucks good looks and the back stories that voters love. Russell is the consummate old, bohemian Grove guy — a former professional yoyo player from a yo yo dynasty with a beautiful family. He owns a watersports company and became politically active after toxic soil was found in his neighborhood park. Rosen Gonzalez is a single mom and college English professor who is a champion 
for higher education and public education at the national and state level.
What does this mean for the future? Might we see more soccer moms and retired military grandfathers and immigrant plumbers run for office rather than the groomed “stable” horses we see now?
“I’ve had so many people come up to me and tell me they’re inspired,” Russell said. “They feel like the little guy has a voice and can totally win, can beat the money and the special interests.”
God, I hope so.
“I hope so, too, but I don’t think so,” said Pedro Diaz, who successfully ran Rosen Gonzalez’s campaign but lost with Weithorn.
“A lot of people are scared of doing this. It takes a lot for people to run for office,” Diaz said.
“And it’s very difficult to find a breed like Kristen Rosen Gonzalez and Ken Russell.”
The year of the underdog? Candidates breaking the mold added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
