If you had a political forum, and the Republican front runners weren’t there, did it still happen?
We shall see on Monday evening when the Kendall Federation of Homeowners welcomes every Democrat candidate 
and five of the Republican hopefuls to the District 27 seat vacated by the retirement of U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
According to the email blast and KFHA President Michael Rosenberg, four Republicans — including the top three potential vote-getters — are not going to make it to the 6:30 p.m. powwow at the Kendall Village “Civic” Center, in the middle of the shopping plaza, at 8625 SW 124 Ave.
Maria Elvira Salazar, the Spanish-language TV news magazine star who everyone thinks has the lead now that Bruno Barreiro‘s wife lost her county commission race, had been out of town until Saturday, Rosenberg said, but was supposed to confirm after that and has not. Barreiro, Angie Chirino and Maria Piero have not responded.
“Bruno, I’ve invited eight times. Not even a response,” Rosenberg said, adding that he also texted Zoraida Barreiro, who used to respond quite quickly when she was running for office, and got nada back from her either.
“They want our vote, they just don’t want to talk to us,” he said.
Wanting to talk are former Doral Councilwoman
Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera, right, and four people you probably never heard of: Elizabeth Adadi, Stephen Marks, Michael Ohevzian and Gina Sosa. They have all confirmed attendance at the forum. For these people, a day without Maria Elvira, Barreiro and Angie Chirino is a good day.
On the other hand, every Democrat confirmed: Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Matt Haggman, Michael Hepburn, David Richardson and Donna Shalala all said they would be there.
Maybe that’s all that matters, since the Democrat winner in August has the advantage in November in what many are saying is one of the most flippable seats in the country. Maybe Bruno 
has the right idea in not giving it 110%.
“This will be a civil meeting to learn about these candidates. educate the community about these candidates,” Rosenberg said. “We are going to tell the candidates not to go off road, to focus on the questions and answer it so voters can learn about them. Otherwise it is a wasted meeting.”
Republican candidates will go first start at 7 p.m. The Democrats start at 8:15. They will have two minutes to introduce themselves and then a minute to answer six questions.
“That means you need to be right on point, clear, and not waste a second from the context of the question,” Rosenberg wrote to the candidates.
Each candidate will also get two one-minute challenges to use if another candidate specifically names them or misrepresents their position. So if it happens a third time, Ladra supposes they just have to live with it.
Or maybe address it in the end, where there will be a two minute summary or closing statement.
The KFHA also plans forums in the following weeks for candidates to the Miami-Dade County Commission (July 23) and to the Florida House (July 25). Hopefully, all the viable candidates will be there for that.
Republican congressional front runners plan to snub Kendall voters forum added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
Ross,
I read the link and shocked when it said that half of new Millennial voters are Hispanic but I would love to know if that was also the case in Miami where I have only seen engulfing political apathy .
Either way it gives me hope and thank you .
Why would members of this congressional district show up to Kendal for a forum that’s not even close to their district. a non article
José,
I am working in a district that has immigrants and ethnicities from many countries. It is admirable that Cuban-origin voters have the highest voter turnout. There is some great data here: http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/01/PH_2016.01.19_Latino-Voters_FINAL.pdf
What stands out is that almost half of non-Cuban Hispanic eligible voters are Millennials. So, like young voters of ALL ethnicities, they have lower turnout rates and shorter average voting history. Some of this is may be due to how campaigns usually reach out to targeted voters. We place more emphasis on voters who voted in the last few midterms and primaries, for instance, when we mail or knock on doors. So it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy: more older voters and more Cuban voters are expected to vote, so campaigns focus more GOTV efforts on them than on young voters or more recently registered Latino voters.
I thought you’d find this theory interesting.
Ross Hancock
Jackson ,
Your points are very good and being Cuban I’ll answer one on her ” behalf” .
”How is it possible you are defending President Trump’s separation of families, and general war on non-Cuban Hispanic immigrants, as refected on your Facebook campaign account?”
Cubans actually vote unlike MOST South and Central Americans regardless of how many generations they have been here .
South and Central Americans have CHOSEN to be politically impotent and thus get what they deserve .
Very interesting and important.
Thank you.
If I were there — I was unable to attend — I would ask:
Hon. Ms. Shalala:
What is your position on a Syria no fly zone, considering that would require US planes to shoot down Russian planes, and Russian has warned us that would mean war?
Hon Ms. Aguilera:
How is it possible you are defending President Trump’s separation of families, and general war on non-Cuban Hispanic immigrants, as refected on your Facebook campaign account?
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
Well, at least the Kendall Federation invited them all to the debate…not like what has happened in past elections from other less genuine sponsors. .
Who wants To Hear our politicians LIE ? They will promise You Everything that They Can’t Give You ? Knowing Bruno Barreiro in his former District # 5 could tell You He LIE <LIE < and Lie Some more ? my Dog could do as Good as Them All ?
Bruno Barrerio is dead to voters. People finally caught on that Barrerio made the Motion to Approve the Marlins Fiasco. Taxpayers will lose over $3 Billion. Disgraced ex-mayors Manny Diaz and Carlos Alvarez also conspirators.