Both the Democrats in the primary race for the seat in State House district 115 
are similar in that both are well-liked gringos, perennial candidates who have run before and who are running wholly positive campaigns. In fact, some people who know them both are having a hard time making a choice.
But if the end game is to take out Republican State Rep. Michael Bileca and flipping the seat to blue, then Ross Hancock presents the better odds.
First, let’s look at just the numbers.
Both Hancock and Pinecrest chiropractor Jeffrey Solomon have run against GOP incumbents, but in 2012, Hancock came closer to beating Erik Fresen (lost 51 to 49%) than Solomon got to beating Bileca (lost 53 to 47%). And, even more importantly, he did it with far less money. Hancock had $8,230 to Fresen’s $265,800. Solomon spent $75,000 to Bileca’s $523,000.
Read related story: Perennial candidates may face off in House 115 Dem primary
Also, if Bileca beat Solomon in a year when Obama topped the ticket, there is no reason to think he can’t beat him again when Hillary is expected to cause less excitement among Democrats.
Hancock, meanwhile, may have additional appeal:
- He put his money where his mouth is this time, loaning himself $100,000 to get his message out. He was able to afford a giant billboard on U.S. 1 at 104th Street right on top of the Keg South in Pinecrest which he has
secured through the general election (two million sets of eyes a day!) and still has more than $80,000 left. Solomon has loaned himself $5,300 and raised $18,500, but he has spent almost $18,000 so he only has $6,000 left. - Hancock speaks Spanish, almost fluently. Hancock has been taking Spanish lessons for almost a year now. He wanted to be able to speak to the Hispanic voters in their language. He was on Buenos Dias Miami, Tomas Garcia Fuste’s Mira TV show, Saturday morning.
- He was once a registered independent. One of his yard signs — Hancock has two versions — states “declare your independence,” and he plans to appeal directly to these voters in the general. This could also attract Republican voters who may not be happy with their presidential nominee.
- He has a lot of influential endorsements. And that can translate into a lot of votes. The United Teachers of Dade endorsement pulls teachers and their families and people who think education is important. Ditto for the United Faculty of Miami-Dade. The SAVE endorsement pulls the gay vote and their families. The AFL-CIO endorsement pulls public employees and their families.
But don’t take my word for it. Go to the website for each candidate. If you look at even just the about page, you will see a huge difference. Solomon’s entire page is dedicated to how he has developed his professional career as a sports medicine celebrity. One almost gets the feeling this election presents another professional opportunity. Hancock’s is more about his dedication to environmental causes and his family.
Ladra also saw Hancock turn a Republican voter right in front of my eyes in the parking lot at the Coral Reef Library over the weekend. Well, actually, the Palmetto Bay voter was uncommitted — until Hancock told her about Bileca’s 
votes on open campus carry and fracking laws. Now, she’s voting for him. She even took a yard sign home!
And those signs! In all her years covering campaigns and elections, Ladra has never seen such a great sign, which is basically a photo of Hancock, paddling through the Everglades in a kayak he built out of mahogany marine plywood.
He built his own kayak! If that doesn’t scream Tallahassee I don’t know what does.
In 115 primary, Ross Hancock is best bet against Bileca added by Ladra on
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Looks like it’s time to move the back cracker, disabled “Doc” from the perennial candidate category, to the perennial losing candidate category. How many times has the “doc” lost now, in all his various attempts to get a foot into any public office ? A candidate who responds to any critic and his political opponents, anyone who questions his position, with terms like jerk, loser, despicable person, and all the other terms he public tosses out on a regular basis, is not fit to be elected dog catcher. Well, maybe dog catcher, cause dogs might put up with his verbal attacks, but citizens and political opponents and public commentators such as this blog, will not. I reviewed many of his public statements and he regularly lashes out at any critic as being a “jerk” or via other empty, verbal abuse, ad hominem attacks. Good luck next time, perennial loser candidate. Caulk up another one in the loser category. Noticed you did’t even update your website from 2014, not even the copyright statement at the bottom of the low budget web page. I mean how serious can one be about attempting to hold a serious public office and have control over the lives of other citizens, when they can’t even update a simple website to reflect the current election year and information accurately?
Jeffrey,
I have noticed that a lot of people that like to rant and rave with no substance will use an anonymous name.
I also leave my phone number when these “hide behind a phony name” people write about me, but I’ve NEVER had one of those people call me.
I don’t think “firefighter retired” is a jerk as you suggested. I just believe he is one of those people that yak yak yak…but don’t ever do anything.
Mr. Firefighter retired…my number is 305 439 3571.
Call me and let’s do a conference call with Mr. Solomon and clear this up. You have his number and you have my number…Stop hiding and call.
Foolish Firefighter. If you must know its called Kienböck’s Disease and it’s in my wrist. The bones have collapsed and I cant provide adjustments as a result. I didn’t say I was retired, just no purpose in promoting my practice. I have many other options in life – including public service and giving back to the community that has given so much to me. Dealing with jerks like you is a price I’m glad to pay for the great success I have previously achieved and the opportunity to serve others with the many strengths I still retain.
By the way, why do you call people out anonymously. What are you ashamed of?
[…] Read related story: In 115 primary, Ross Hancock is best bet against Bileca […]
This “doc” Solomon disses Ladra for questioning what appears to be his blatant self promotion of his own business interests. He replied to her by stating he has a permanent disability that prevents him from working and treating patients. Yet his own Facebook wall is full of photos of him lounging and playing in his pool, promoting himself as some good guy cause he’s out coaching various kids sports teams which would require a lot of physical activity and being on ones feet for hours at a time, and photos glorifying himself running what appears to be long distance races, more photos of doing what appears to be aggressive swimming in what looks to be open ocean water, again at long distances, then photos of his many travel trips to very places and more. He’s also out campaigning all the time on foot in videos he promotes, walking what appears to be at least miles at a time. So what exact supposed disability does this man have that prevents him from working and treating patients? Am I supposed to be sympathetic about this disability claim? Sounds to me like some guy that is potentially bilking the disability system? I have people I know with legitimate disabilities such as broken backs or crippling diseases, and also worked a long career in often extreme work conditions and yet still managed to get up the next day and do it again, so nothing gets in my craw more than someone who would bilk our crumbling disability system and now wants to rule over our lives in political office. He apparently has the energy and physical and mental ability and stamina to hold down a major political office, but is feigning disability from his own field of work? Seems incumbent upon Ladra to get clarification on what is the exact the nature of this supposed disability, for what appears to be a man with a lot of free time on his hands and plenty of ability to do rigorous outdoor activities and generally enjoy life, in addition to having the energy and stamina to run for power and political office, while showing no signs of any disability that would prevent him from working at a job.
Dear Doc, first things first. Advertising is open to anyone. You could advertise, too. Even Carlos Gimenez could advertise and it won’t change my opinion. The FIU referendum PAC advertised on the site in 2014 and Ladra wrote several posts against that (still does). It’s not my fault that Mr. Hancock thought of it. Maybe it makes him smarter than you, which I forgot to mention as a plus. I will admit that perhaps the fact that he advertises makes me pay more attention to the race. But that could also backfire on him if he were to do something stupid like hire a boletera or start passing out anti-balm like one crazy mayoral candidate is doing.
There are candidate ads in the Herald, in the New Times, in the Miami Times in the Biscayne Times in the Community Newspapers and in Ciudad Doral as well as many other newspapers and magazines. How is it any different for a political ad on a blog? And trust me, he is not happy when I call him a perennial candidate.
That said, it seems like you agree with me about his ability to pull independents and soft Republicans by saying that first he has to get through the primary. That’s the whole point of the post. I didn’t say that he would beat you easily. In fact, he very well might not. Because you both pull from the same base, which I said pretty much in the lead. I just said that he is a better bet, in my humble opinion, to beat BILECA in November. And that’s really what it’s about, isn’t it? You might beat him next week. But I don’t think you can beat Bileca and I think he can. I’m allowed to think that.
And as per the website, “leadership accomplishments within your profession” is professional development, is it not? That is exactly what I said your website was heavy with, references to your professional development.
So, just what did you have a problem with? The facts? Yeah, that happens sometimes. Sorry not sorry.
Love, Ladra
While I’ve always liked and respected you Elaine, I find your position of favor for Mr. Hancock to be rather biased for such a professional journalist. To start with he has paid you $2,500 for advertising in your blog. Hard to call your opinion unbiased from the start. As per your bullet points of rational.
Comparing our previous race with different districts, candidates, and dollars invested. It’s a rather apples and oranges argument. Let’s not forget the value of gained name ID as I have remained in the same district I reside in for 33 years, rather than carpet bagging like Mr. Hancock. I’ve polled Solomon 79% vs Hancock 21%
While my opponent has lent his campaign $100,000 he has only spent about $14,500 to my nearly $18,000. His dollars remain in the bank and what has been spent has been rather poorly invested with over $5000 in a sign that is attractive, if you like kayaking, but it’s not effective in placement or for political name ID. So what good is all the money if not spent and certainly of what has been spent, not wisely?
Speaking Spanish. The 63% of Latinos in the district almost entirely speak English. Just because they have Latin surnames does not mean they don’t. Buy the way, while my Spanish is not great, I speak enough to communicate with those who do not speak English. I can also assure you the TV and radio media he exposes himself on has little impact in our mostly Americanized district.
As per his ability to attract Independents and soft Republicans. First he has to win the primary. Also, most of the money I’ve raised now and in the past is not from Democrats, but a wide cross section of all who feel I can work across the aisle effectively.
I have over 400 yard signs that are my brand and very identifiable in the district. Where are his? Almost zero.
Endorsements? Had I entered the race 3 weeks earlier and sat in the interviews with teachers and the unions, having received their endorsements in the past, I am rather certain based on my support of their issues, I would have received them again. Now though, I am endorsed by the Miami Herald, The Fraternal Order of Police, The Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations, and a wide variety of elected political leaders throughout the community.
Finally, as per my website and my leadership accomplishment within my profession and as a select member of the Leadership Florida Statewide Community Foundation. To infer I might use the election to develop my career I find offensive, especially considering my permanent disability and inability to treat patients. The site speaks for itself and is only promoting the fact I am, an experienced leader who can and will accomplish much in our Florida House of Representatives after beating a rather unfavorable Mike Bileca in the general election.
Jeffrey Doc Solomon 786-412-8555
Thanks Ladra! Definitely going with Ross Hancock! (Dislike majority of incumbents in all races!) Given he’s my district and the ‘Doc’ Solomon signs are in several yards in my neighborhood I’m going to seek out his campaign office today and see if he has any signs left I can put in my yard next to RAQUEL REGALADO’s for MAYOR! Love what he stands for! “Ross Hancock is a lifelong advocate for Florida’s environment. He served as a board member of Sierra Club Miami and is active in the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition. He is a volunteer for Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings program, which introduces at-risk youth to our beautiful environment with camping trips and canoeing.” The fact his profession is protecting sea turtles with safe lighting and is against fracking (which Fresen supports) NO WAY IN HELL I’M VOTING FOR FRESEN. I already HAVE a chiropractor I LOVE: Mark Baum! And literally that’s ALL Doc Solomon has on his page you’re right it’s about self promotion vs. SERVICE. VOTE ROSS HANCOCK District 115 for State House! Along with Raquel Regalado for Miami Dade Mayor on August 30!
Ross definitely has the most clever signs, with his poll workers wearing giant light bulb outfits. Memorable, which is what counts when your interaction with the voter is mearly a few seconds.
Funny. John Couriel has signs up and he isn’t even on the ballot. Another one that appears to be working it.