Updated: Following in his brother’s footsteps — again — former Miami-Dade School Board Member and State Rep. Renier Diaz de la Portilla filed to run against Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins this week.
If this isn’t another sign of the apocalypse, Ladra doesn’t know what is.
Diaz de la Portilla is the youngest brother of the DLP clan, which includes former Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla , who is now 
a very successful lobbyist, and former Sen. and Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who came in third and didn’t even make the runoff for the county’s District 5 seat during the special election in May of 2018. That final battle was between Higgins and Zoraida Barreiro the wife of former Commissioner Bruno Barreiro.
But it was also a special election. And Alex DLP, who is absolutely masterminding this, already has $300,000 in his political action committee, Proven Leadership for Miami-Dade County, to help out his baby brother.
Read related: Eileen Higgins draws first challenge from failed Miami city candidate
There is a third in this race. Miguel Soliman filed last July, almost a year ago, and has raised $61,720 — which he has spent half of — but now the tiny anti-Higgins faction will now be split. Unless Soliman — whose wife is a vocal supporter of Commissioner Joe Carollo, a DLP ally — backs out. Which is Ladra’s prediction. Qualifying ends on June 12.
And what about Barreiro? He did not answer calls and emergency texts from Ladra Friday. Maybe he is too busy trying to be the face of the Joe Carollo recall movement. But did you ever think there would be a time when you wished Bruno was running again?
Higgins has raised $273,540, which is kinda low for a county incumbent, but she has another $106,750 raised by her political action committee, Rebranding Politics. She might also get help from the Democratic Party, which was involved in her first election and is consistently getting involved in non partisan local races.
“I look forward to a spirited campaign over the next three months,” Higgins said in a statement. “I’m proud of the great work we’ve done for District 5 in the short two years since I was elected to the commission. My commitment to solving problems, getting to work immediately and leading with integrity, honesty and transparency has been clear from day one. I am confident that the residents of our district will want to see that continue.”
Read related: Commission could cut community councils out for Fisher Island developer
How polite. Tell that to the people of Fisher Island, who feel betrayed by Higgins vote to disband their community zoning board on the heels of contributions from an interested developer’s lobbyist. And spirited? Really? How about vicious? The political attacks against Mrs. Barreiro were brutal and Ladra predicts a campaign that draws on ethnic pride and calls Higgins a communist.
Renier DLP, the Fredo of the family, has lost two elections since 2012 — one for state house and another for county judge. So there’s that.
So put on your seatbelts and get ready for a bumpy but interesting election season.
More information may be added as it becomes available. Check for updates.
Renier Diaz de la Portilla files to run against Eileen Higgins in Miami-Dade added by Ladra on
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