The negative political ads and “anonymous” attack mailers have come out in the 2020 mayoral race, so far against two of the candidates — Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and former mayor Alex Penelas.
Over the last week, some voters have received one or all of three mailers — count ’em, three in less than a week — 
attacking Levine Cava and, get this, saying she is not progressive enough. Paid for by “True Progressives LLC,” they say she has voted against affordable housing, rental assistance and funding for domestic violence programs and assistance to victims.
I know, I know. And here we thought they would go the other way and call her a communist.
Commissioner Xavier Suarez has attacked Penelas — mostly on the half-penny fiasco and county cronyism — in radio ads that say his competition’s name a dozen times and whenever he gets the chance in forums or interviews. But these are the first negative mailers that Ladra has seen in the 2020 mayoral election.
Read related: Daniella Levine Cava timed resignation to force special election in Miami-Dade
Levine Cava’s campaign quickly sent an email blast blaming two other candidates with ties to the company’s address — Commissioner Esteban “Stevie” Bovo and former Mayor Alex Penelas. Both have taken money from PACs and contributors tied to the True Progressives address.
“It’s clear they’re trying to undermine us with their so-called ‘True Progressives LLC’ PAC and spread lies and 
misinformation about Daniella’s proven record of leadership in the community,” the campaign email sates. “They’re trying to avoid defending their own records by outright lying that Daniella cut social services and housing assistance.”
Bovo told Ladra Thursday that it wasn’t him.
“Has nothing to do with me,” Bovo texted Ladra last week. “I think she is plenty liberal. I don’t want Miami-Dade to become NYC, Seattle or LA.” See? Told ya.
And Penelas issued a statement that also denied any involvement.
Read related: Daniella Levine Cava’s first Miami-Dade mayoral 2020 mailer hit last week
“Commissioner Levine Cava knows that the Penelas campaign and Bold Vision Committee have nothing to do with the mailers that were distributed. This is an effort to shamelessly portray herself as a victim and raise money for her campaign. The ultimate hypocrisy is that she attempts to defend herself against claims she says are false by trying to discredit Alex Penelas and his record of accomplishment, which will always stand head and shoulders above hers. As someone who wants to be Mayor, Commissioner Levine Cava should hold herself to a higher standard.”
So, it was nobody?
While both arguably have reason to attack her, Bovo is also behind the 
Spanish-language attack video ad against Penelas that some have seen on TV.
“Who is Alex Penelas,” a woman’s voice asks as photos of Penelas and bad headlines from 1998 to 2004 about his administration flash on the screen. “Miami-Dade County plagued in corruption…. Scandal after scandal when Alex Penelas was Mayor… Penelas lies to us on the 1/2 penny sales tax for transit…. favoritism for lobbyists and nepotism in the day to day of the county.
“Now Alex Penelas tries to erase his troubled past — even worse, repeat them,” the woman ends the commercial with a call to action. “Reject the scandals. Reject the corruption. Reject Alex Penelas.”
Oh, it’s paid for by Citizens for Ethical and Efficient Leadership, but that’s David Custin‘s political action committee, and Disgustin’ Custin is with Bovo. It’s why Bovo’s Transportation Solutions PAC gave Ethical and Efficient $51,000 last year.
Read related: Only two Miami-Dade mayoral candidates so far turn to campaign mail
The message one the rental assistance mailer is kinda ironic. Because Bovo was the one who voted against rental relief 
for residents hit with economic hardship due to the COVID19 crisis.
“It’s appalling that my colleague would block relief for residents who need support during this critical phase of the Covid crisis,” Levine Cava said in a statement after last week’s vote. “We all see the headlines about families lining up at food distributions and struggling to pay for their basic needs and housing as a direct result of the health crisis.
“Families cannot wait three more weeks to act, which is why Commissioner Bovo’s action today is offensive for our residents who are enduring sleepless nights due to the hardships they face.”
It’s the kind of thing that would look good on a mailer.
Dark money mailers, attack ads hit two candidates in Miami-Dade mayoral race added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
Follow the money. According to previous reports, there appears to be a link between this dark money trail and the name, at least, of Sean Anderson. Another Sean Anderson of Travel Traders LLC in Miami was previously charged, admitted guilt and paid a fine in a prior political money laundering scandal centered around the LA mayoral campaign.
What a cast of characters! Cava, Suarez and Pénelas seek to defund the police and create a panel to put cops in prison. Good luck when crime rises 500% and no cop wants to arrest anyone out of fear of 13 liberal panel members seeking to punish anyone they deem as conservative.
Then there is Bovo! The resident boletero in the Commission. This guy has a worse reputation than Dr. Evil. Bet his buddy Marco Rubio will be pulling strings for him all over the state.
What a nasty sewer this County is! There isn’t a single candidate worth our vote! The shame.
The Corruption from the Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s Administration is connected to
Miami/Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo, vote for Bovo and you’ll get the same crap as Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Commissioner Levine Cava needs to reach the voters by talking about how to reconstruct a Corrupt Miami/Dade County Mayor’s Office .Commissioner Levine Cava needs to talk to voters about change that will benefit Voters and not have another Clone Mayor like Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. First off ,Levine Cava needs to have town hall meetings with voters either by virtual or in person soon ! The reform has to happen at the Miami/Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Agency as well as discussing the Miami/Dade Expressway Authority in relation to the crazy amount of tolls us Miami/Dade County tax payers are paying ! The Deal with Miami/Dade County Ethics and Public Trust Agency is that the Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez receives complaints about him right at his office and than Miami/Dade County Attorney Gerald Sanchez gets busy with working his sneaky Sleezy tactics with protecting The Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Most voters don’t know that .Ask Commissioner Esteban Bovo if he’ll change anything that Miami/Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has put in place and whether he’ll have reform ?
Do we have any Non CROOK in The Bunch ? We The people are Destine To pay For This Political Campaign Donations From all The Corruptor/Donors/Lobbyist/Consultants/Attorney/Contributors/Family/Friends of This Recycled Politicians . We Continue to be # 1 (ONE) in Fraud and Corruption !
“did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky”, now THAT’S how a pro does denial Alex
“Commissioner Levine Cava knows that the Penelas campaign and Bold Vision Committee…. ya ya ya…I note it doesn’t read like an outright denial that he did it, he just talks about what he thinks Daniella knows or doesn’t know..
My head is spinning.
One observation / personal viewpoint?
Covid 19 is forcing political realignments.
I would normally fear Mr Bovo as too pro-development.
Now my dominant concern is: 1) avoid Covid 19 shutdown of my business, and
2) avoid a Covid 19 forced “vaccine” which I fear will contain nano particles, connecting our brains to artificial intelligence, which will dominate our brains and, in essence, turn us into A I robots.
Ergo because of Covid 19, I will vote for Bovo.
Attack ads from PACs appear to be as newsworthy as “dog bites man” stories.
I support Levine Cava and believe her to be the best candidate for the job. I also am aware of the politics of this neck of the woods and know that her progressive platform and gender are working against her.