It wasn’t a secret. Everyone expected Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez, who is termed out this year, to run for mayor to replace Carlos Gimenez, who is also termed out, causing an open seat dash.
And some of the other wannabes reacted to the announcement better than others.
Former Commissioner Juan Zapata, who was the first to file for the seat, 
was the first to react with a statement that pulled no punches.
“Team Zapata welcomes Commissioner Suarez to the race, another political insider who has made his political career advocating for Downtown interests,” read his statement.
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“We look forward to debating him and all other candidates on the future of our county and how County Hall can improve the lives of long-neglected residents of Miami-Dade County, especially those in unincorporated areas.”
Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava said she, too, was “looking forward to 
a robust conversation.
“That’s Democracy,” she told Ladra Friday. “I expected this to be a very competitive race. There are several others I know who are still in the wings.”
Suarez brings to four the number of people who have officially filed paperwork for the contest next year. He joins Zap, Levine Cava and newcomer Monique Nicole Barley, who won’t stand a chance in the big-name free-for-all.
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Several others, including Commissioners Esteban Bovo and Jean 
Monestime, have said they will also jump into the contest. So has former county Mayor Alex Penelas, who has been campaigning raised more than $1 million for his political action committee, but hasn’t made it official yet.
In his statement, Zapata urged “those shadow candidates to step up to the plate and officially join the discussion. These political games and ploys of the past do nothing to serve the interests of the people of Miami-Dade.”
Bovo did not return calls and texts to his cellphone Friday and Saturday, but las malas lenguas say he may opt not to run for mayor after all (more on that later). Ladra was unable to reach Monestime or former Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who has also been named as a possible candidate.
Penelas said he would likely file his campaign paperwork soon.
“I’m going to file, I’m just not ready,” Penelas told Ladra Friday. “I’m at a 
disadvantage in that I don’t have a taxpayer supported infrastructure. I’m getting organized.”
The primary would be a sort of rematch between Penelas and Suarez. X came in fourth in an 11-way primary in 1996, after former Commissioner Art Teele, former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre and Penelas, who eventually won.
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“Since then, we’ve had a good relationship. I have the utmost respect for him,” Penelas said, adding that he doesn’t know what Suarez meant in his announcement speech when he says Penelas “invented business as usual.”
“You have to ask him,” Penelas said, returning to polite appreciation.
“He’s been on the right side of the transit issue and I give him a lot of credit,” he said. “This campaign will be delineated between those who have been on the right side of the issue and those who are on the wrong side.”
Other hopefuls react, welcome Xavier Suarez to mayoral run added by Ladra on
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The only reasons these old and defunct Miami politicians want to run again for office is because the see a vacuum and there is money to be put in their pockets for their retirement and continue sucking on the taxpayer Teet. It’s sad because since growing up in Chicago and watching the corrupt cronyism/nepotism of the Daley political family in Chicago … I now see it down here in Miami … the same rehash of politicians. We are saddle with hundreds of broken 1/2 cent promises, white elephant Marlin stadium bonds that our children’s children will continue to pay, and Cadillac plans that our fire fighters enjoy .. that are not seen in any other county around the rest of the country … all this to buy votes. Citizens be damned … higher tolls … higher taxes … and cheap bus transportation. A Metrorail and People Mover that is the joke when measure up against the caliber of the city that Miami has become. Now we are considering adding Chinese Buses to the system???!! Really ?!! … You know .. if the option is between taking a bus down south or out west from the Dadeland station .. I will choose my car every time! … like Mayor Suarez said … “Lo Barato … sale Caro!” … we need to push for a Metro Rail Extenson OUT WEST .. down 8th Street to FIU and down Kendall Drive to the TurnPike! …and Continue Metro Rail Down US1 ..down South. Also, Metro Mover extension to Miami Beach! … “If you Built it .. they Will Come!” …. or do we need Branson or Genting to fund these rail projects??? No one wants to ride a bus .. at least not the majority of Miamians .. I would rather drive a car!
I find it hilarious that 1/2 kilo Penelas is talking about right and wrong side of the issues regarding transit. I think its safe to say that the “God Father” of corruption that has been carried on by the current administration is Alex Penelas. I will find it hard to believe that this slippery politician will have a comeback. His track record alone should disqualify him.
So are we really considering voting for Alex Peneles again? Is he back to get the other 1/2 penny tax from us? … so he can give more pay raises instead of what he promised in the original 1/2 penny?
And Suarez … again? .. won’t these old guys just retire? This reminds me of the the Daly family in Chicago … and look how that city has turned out under Daly cronyism.
There is something to be said about the intentions of career politicians … we do deserve the leaders we get.
Whenever I hear Penelas’ name, two words come to mind – “half penny.”
¿ Is this the best we could hope for ? Los 7 Pomete y Promete hasta que Mete Una vez Metido Nada de lo Prometido !
…for our part, we’re amused, we want to see them take a few pitches before assigning their place in the line-up!
Commissioner Suarez,
State that you will fire the Bozos and Clowns in the County, as I previously mentioned before and you will have my and plenty of other voters voting for you.
The state of the County is going from bad to worse by the look of the candidates running for Mayor. All of the candidates are rotten and smells and looks worse than garbage. I guess this is what you get as part of Miami Dade’s recycling program.