Miami-Dade Commissioner Jean Monestime dropped out of the county mayoral race two months ago — and now he backs one of three colleagues running for the seat, which is vacated by Mayor Carlos Gimenez due to term limitations.
“I have served with Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava for years and she has earned my trust and respect,” Monestime 
said in a statement sent Monday from Levine Cava’s campaign.
“From the day she joined the dais, Daniella brought a sense of purpose and mission to deliver for our community with strong ethics and integrity,” the statement said. “Our County needs a public servant who puts the people first and whose vision for a better Miami-Dade includes every resident and worker, and that candidate is my friend and colleague Daniella! She has a clear plan to deliver for our community and will be the voice our residents need.
“I am proud to put my full support behind her and I look forward to casting my vote for Miami-Dade’s first female Mayor,” Monestime said.
Read related: Jean Monestime says COVID19 cut short his Miami-Dade mayoral bid
Levine Cava was only too happy. “It’s truly an honor to have the support of my good friend and colleague Jean Monestime because we share the same passion and commitment to serve our community with ethics and integrity,” she said in the same statement.
The first Haitian American elected to the county commission had mayoral aspirations of his own before he withdrew from the race, blaming the COVID19 pandemic. “I have humbly come to the conclusion that our campaign’s ability to compete has been greatly impaired by the current social economic environment,” he said in late April.
On Monday, he was already shaking the trees for her.
“Earlier this year, I ran for Mayor to stand up for the most vulnerable among us and build a county that works for 
everyone. I filed because the issues and values that are important to our community need to be on the ballot. While I decided in May that my campaign would come to an end, my promise to fight for my community is stronger than ever,” said Monestime in an email blast from the Levine Cava campaign, with multiple links to a donation page.
“It’s for those reasons that I’m proud to endorse my friend Daniella Levine Cava to be the next Mayor of Miami-Dade County because I believe she is the one who can lead us forward. Can you click here to donate to her campaign?
“Our county faces not only a COVID-19 crisis, but a crisis of affordability and prosperity. We desperately need a shift in perspective to address the long-term issues faced by our community,” Monestime says in her email. “Daniella will certainly govern with that perspective in mind, but she needs our help to win this election.
Read related: Jean Monestime stays put, tells Dems: ‘no mayoral run’
“Tomorrow is the last day of the month, and I’m asking you to donate to Daniella’s campaign right now so they can reach their June goals. Will you help our movement?”
Now it’s “our” movement?
Monestime — who has been courted by the Democratic Party for at least four years — joined a long list of Democrat politicos endorsing Levine Cava in this non partisan race. The only other viable Dem is former Miami-Dade Alex Penelas, who may have lost his blue chip value. Who else was the commissioner going to throw his support to? Republican Esteban Bovo? Independent Xavier Suarez?
Remember, he needs to run for something in two years when he is termed out — and he wants the blue support
Jean Monestime endorses Daniella Levine-Cava for Miami-Dade mayor added by Ladra on
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