Former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Góngora keeps racking up those endorsements in his bid to 
become the next Florida Senator in District 38.
But so is some young gun attorney named Jason Pizzo who nobody ever heard of before.
It’s natural that Góngora would get his ex colleagues on the dais to join his team: Former Miami Beach Commissioners Ed Tobin and Deede Weithorn and former Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower were the first to jump aboard. They were joined by current Commissioners Michael Grieco and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
Read related story: Michael Gongora wants senate seat left by La Gwen Margolis
The latest are endorsements from Miami Commissioner Ken Russel and Biscayne Neighborhoods Association President
Andres Althabe, who are hosting an event for Góngora on Tuesday at the Charter Club Condominium Association. They are pictured here with the candidate at a past legislative update at Miami-Dade College.
“I am thrilled to have the support of these two leaders who always put the residents first,” Góngora said in a statement. “We have worked together on quality of life issues in the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association including traffic issues, better roads, quality education and better condominium association laws.”
It would be weird for Althabe to support anyone else in the race to replace Sen. Gwen Margolis: Góngora serves as the pro bono community association attorney for the Biscayne Neighborhoods Association.
“I have worked very closely with Michael for the past two years as the attorney for Biscayne Neighborhoods Association,” Althabe said. “He is ethical, honest, smart and someone I know will represent us well in Tallahassee.”
But this is Russell’s first endorsement as an elected official.
“I first met Michael when I was running for office as City of Miami Commissioner,” said Russell, who won his seat last year against the 
better financed Mrs. Teresa Sarnoff, wife of termed-out commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “He has a firm grasp of the issues impacting residents throughout our community and I have confidence in his abilities to produce results which will positively impact our quality of life.”
Weithorn, similarly, said his experience makes Góngora the best choice: “Michael understands government at all levels and will be effective in bringing home funds from Tallahassee to undertake needed traffic and flooding solutions throughout Miami-Dade County. Additionally, he will continue the fight for Israel in Tallahassee with the new Anti BDS law and divestiture laws. We need a leader that is sensitive to all issues impacting the diverse community.”
The newly-drawn District 38 runs roughly from Miami Beach to Aventura and from the ocean to I-95, including all of the Biscayne Corridor of Miami through the Upper East Side. There are six other candidates, including State Rep. Daphne Campbell, and Góngora threw his hat in after Margolis withdrew in the wake of some regrettable comments. Again.
He immediately became the front runner.
But this Pizzo person is certainly giving him chase.
Jason Pizzo, a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has loaned himself $400,000 for this contest, 
has the endorsements of State Rep. Barbara Watson, Aventura Mayor Enid Weisman, Sunny Isles Beach Vice Mayor Jeannette Gatto, Sunny Isles Commissioners Jennifer Levin, Isaac Aelion and Dana Goldman, Surfside Vice Mayor Michael Karukin and Surfside Commissioner Daniel Gielchinsky.
As if that was something to sneeze at, he’s also got the AFSCME union and several black pastors and community leaders.
But it’s not over yet. There are plenty of political endorsements left to be made.
Maybe Campbell can get Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.
Michael Gongora, Jason Pizzo rack up endorsments for Senate added by Ladra on
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Michael Gongora isnt perfect but do the Democratic voters in Palm Beach Miami Dade Broward Counties REALLY want lobbyists n trust fund babies to represent us?
Michael Gongora makes me gag…
Horse slaughtering – now thats a real issue RIGHT?
I give up! Some voters are off their rockers!
Vote for a decent experienced public servant MICHAEL GONGORA
HELLO SOUTH FLORIDA ANIMAL LOVERS!! VOTE FOR JASON PIZZO!
~~~~~Punch #45, District 38 – elections on August 30th, 2016!~~~~~
I am honored to support Jason Pizzo who is one of the most hardworking and dedicated prosecutors that is now running for senate. Pizzo has worked endless hours with law enforcement agencies that have played major roles in our investigations of animal cruelty here in South Florida like that of illegal horse slaughters and other animal cruelty cases. This is a growing concern now in Florida!
Jason Pizzo is a genuine, honest, hardworking and determined prosecutor for some of the biggest and most heartbreaking cases of animal cruelty i
n South Florida whom works with integrity and with a never ending fight for justice.
Please help him now as he needs votes so that he can implement the change that he has envisioned.
Punch #45, District 38 – elections on August 30th, 2016!
[…] Read related story: Michael Gongora, Jason Pizzo rack up endorsements for Senate […]
Well now we know
1. Jim Deland is crooked Randy Hilliard
2. Jason Pizzo employs the crooked Randy Hilliard
3. Jason Pizzo is ethically-challenged and anybody with decency will support Commissioner Michael Gongora.
Word on the Street is Randy Hilliard is on jason Pizzo’s payroll so everyone get out the soap n water as all Hilliard does is throw mud. Good luck Commissioner Gongora.
It’s obvious Count LF Chodkiewicz Chudzikiewicz knows NOTHING about politics. He gets his information from the “street”.
Put your faith in a proven leader with years of experience as a two-term city commissioner for Miami Beach and years of community leadership and activism. MIchael is an ethical and intelligent man & he has the best hopes for all south Floridians.
His work protecting the rights of senior citizens is admirable all by itself ‼️
Michael Gangora is in this for all the right reasons, the people of South Florida who live and visit here.
I am extremely proud to support Michael and his senate Campaign. I hope you all do too.
VOTE MICHAEL GONGORA FOR SENATE.
Michael is a loyal, honest, and remarkably personable individual, whom I have always known to be hard-working and highly committed to helping his community – in his capacity as an attorney, former commissioner, neighbor, and friend.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Michael personally for what feels like ten years, but in fact falls just short of two – a testament to his genuine kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit. During the time of our acquaintance, his workload and responsibilities seemed above and beyond those of his peers. He did not shy away from challenging situations, but consistently demonstrated diligence and dedication in his work, taking on all tasks with great enthusiasm.
Michael is a highly competent individual, and fuels everything that he does with an energy and determination that will ensure his success in the Florida Senate.
Michael Gongora continues to serve the South Florida community. He has integrity and is the one who is most qualified to fill the shoes of Senator Margolis. She has thrown her support to Michael Gongora. We need Michael’s awareness and views in the Florida Senate.
Thank you Politico Cortadito for the summation of the those two gentlemen running iin the seat. I’ve never heard of Pizzo but as a long time Miami Beach Resident and the President of a number of Homeowner Associations during that time, I do know Michael Gongora who has so effectively represented our community and my Association. He’s a man of the people and is not only experienced but 100% qualified to fill the role on Day 1. Most importantly he knows his constituents needs. I think he’s our guy experience and relationships in government matter.
Michael Gongora has a great track record in local politics and for understanding residents. He knows what we need, so let’s make sure we get him elected!
I very much look forward to having Michael Góngora as State Senator in our district. We would be very lucky to have him given his former political involvement in Miami Beach and even when out of office, stayed very involved and active in the community. We need someone who understand our needs, can relate to the residents (having lived almost his whole life within the district) and truly cares. Good luck Michael!
It’s pretty amazing to see the endorsements Vice Mayor Gongora has racked up, including of past political opponents in the case of Weithorn. Somewhat surprising too are political endorsements received by Pizzo who is a political neophyte. I wonder if he’s repalted to that Pizzo guy from Miami Lakes that beat the Federal rap?.. Who knows.
Of course since the State Senate n State House are OVERWHELMINGLY RIGHT WING REPUBLICAN ANY DEMOCRAT IN RECENT DECADES EXCEPT STATE SENATOR SILVER HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING.
I wish former Miami Beach Commissioner well BUT HE’S GOING TO BONKERS WHEN HE REALIZES HE WILL HAVE NO MORE INFLUENCE THAN THE CURRENT DEMICRATIC SENATORS – ZILCH!