The fix is in. Again.
Miami-Dade commissioners voted Nov. 19 to appoint a successor for District 8’s Daniella Levine Cava, who resigned to run for mayor, rather than go to a special election and let the voters decide.
And, through the process of elimination, that means that Danielle Cohen Higgins is going to be the new commissioner.
“I hope that’s true,” the attorney told Ladra Sunday. “God willing that is the case.”
This has not sat well with everybody. Not at all.
Commissioners basically said there was no money for a special election. In this time of COVID-19, nobody wants to spend around $1.2 million for an election with a runoff. We are facing austere times and there are better ways to use that money.
Like, for example, a commission Office of Budget and Policy, which will be led by former Vice Mayor and Budget Director Jennifer Moon, with a couple of other staffers and a budget of — well, look at that — $1 million or slightly more. There’s money for that.
Read related: Jennifer Moon could have a $1 million office on Miami-Dade Commission
Ladra understands the intent. This is a great idea. And in more prosperous times, it should be a priority. Because it’s a recurring cost. A special election is a one time cost. The alternative is appointing someone for two whole years, which is not what any appointments were intended for.
The commission also said at that meeting that they would only consider the candidates who had already filed paperwork associated with bank accounts opened for the 2022 race. It’s too early to qualify. So, if you had been thinking about it (Ladra is talking to you, former Police Director Juan Perez), you are cheese out of luck.
But that means the job is already Cohen’s, who is considered by everyone as La Alcaldesa’s handpicked successor, in part because they share campaign consultant Christian Ulvert.
According to insiders, Cohen Higgins already has at least the seven votes she needs already, as part of the deal that gave Commissoner Jose “Pepe” Diaz the chairmanship earlier this month. So, she has his vote. That was the trade. And las malas lenguas say she also has commissioners Eileen Higgins (no relation except another Ulvert alum), the four black commissioners (the candidate is half Jamaican) and maybe even Acting Chair Rebeca “La Abuela” Sosa.
In fact, by Tuesday, it could be unanimous. Because, really, there’s nobody else.
Some of the observers thought Commissioner Kionne McGhee would vote for Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois, a friend who helped him get elected. But DuBois has taken himself out of the running, in protest.
“I want an election. The voters said they wanted an election,” he said, referring to the Nov. 3 ballot question that would amend the county charter to require electeds who resign for higher office to have their vacated seats filled by an election at the same time.
“How they can go ahead and do an appointment, well, it’s a mystery to me,” DuBois said.
He is 100% against any appointment for the same obvious reasons Ladra thinks it’s a terrible idea: (1) It’s for two years, not three or six months or even 11 months. Two years! That’s a congressional term! (2) The people just voted overwhelmingly against appointments.
Read related: Just say yes, yes, yes to 3 Miami-Dade County charter amendments
Sure, the charter amendment approved by more than 78% of the countywide voters says the seat will be filled from now on in the same election where the seat is vacated. The vote was against appointments and special elections. But Ladra is pretty sure the appointments was the driving force.
Again, two years is a long time. A state House term.
The people’s will was also on his mind when Commissioner Rene Garcia voted against it, advocating for a special election.
A third candidate, Leonarda Duran Buike (photo), could be a grassroots dark horse in an election. But she doesn’t have the political palanca needed to get appointed. A fourth candidate, Alina Arellano, is reportedly a plantidate whose raised less than $2,400 and is only there to steal votes away from Duran, the only other Hispanic running. She’s pulling an Alex Rodriguez.
Duran Buike said she did not think an appointment was fair unless that person committed to not running in 2022. Cohen Higgins told Ladra she had no intent of dropping out of the race. She has been the frontrunner, having campaigned for 18 months, and has raised close to $190,000 in her campaign account as of the end of October.
Read related: Daniella Levine Cava timed resignation to force special election in Miami-Dade
The next two years are going to have some very important decisions and the person in the District 8 seat should be held accountable for those decisions. People can vote her out or (re) elect her if she’s done a good job.
“The residents of District 8 deserve far more than a babysitter,” she said.
Besides, the commissioners could ask for that kind of promise, but they can’t enforce it.
So, and maybe this is letting the wind out of someone else’s sails, but it looks like Danielle Cohen Higgins is a lock. She will be the new commissioner for District 8. What do we know about her?
Cohen Higgins was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital and grew up in South Dade in what is now a Section 8 housing complex named Milton Manors. A product of Miami-Dade public schools, she lost her father when she was 8 and was raised by a single mom who takes public transportation to work.
She graduated in the top 2% of her class at Sunset High and attend the University of Florida on a scholarship, becoming the first in her family to get a college degree. In 2006, she graduated from Florida State University School of Law and has been an attorney since she was 24. Cohen worked briefly at Greenberg Traurig before forming her own boutique law firm.
She was six months pregnant when she started walking door to door. She and her husband also have a little boy.
She’s running “to strengthen our community by improving affordability, investing in real transit solutions, and focusing on sustainable practices to protect and beautify our neighborhoods for generations to come.”
Miami-Dade commissioners likely to appoint Danielle Cohen Higgins to D8 added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
[…] morning in Cutler Bay, District 8’s appointed commissioner, Danielle Cohen Higgins, said her team gave away 300 turkeys and 300 desserts, in partnership with […]
Thanks all of you for your comments. This has been a very lively and engaging discussion. I hope you all participate in the meeting Monday at the county commission.
Love, Ladra
We need a non-partisan leader such as Dr. Leonarda Duran-Buike that has no personal financial interest but is entirely focused on developing the community by stimulating small businesses, increasing more jobs, working closely with public and charter schools and improving the transportation issues that we face in the District. A leader that will work to strengthen the community today FOR the future generations.
La Dr. Leonarda Duran Buike es una persona de integridad con mucha pasion y experiencia lista para ayudar a nuestra comunidad.
Dra. Leonarda Duran-Buike has been working for her district for years. She is the best candidate for District 8 as she knows the needs and changes that have to take place, she has worked endlessly without waiting for any return. She does it for the Love and the fulfillment of knowing and seeing the result of her work. People don’t need a commissioner because of the palanca, people need someone dedicated!, a professional in different specialized fields like Dr. Duran who knows her District where she has lived and worked for over 30 years!
Danielle Cohen Higgins is running to enrich herself, defund the police, do political favors for Daniela Levine Cava (who put her there), Pepe Diaz (who is always open for business) and Christian Olivert who now runs Dade County and is a servant to big business. Selecting her will be breaking the law and supporting corruption in District8. NO to Higgins!!!
Ms. Higgins, a fresh new faced- not a recycled politician??? Are you serious? She BROKE the law! She is running just to enrich herself! She agreed to a nasty deal with the CORRUPT Democratic establishment, Christian Ulvert and close door meetings with Pepe Diaz and Rebeca Sosa. She has done NOTHING for District8! She is an opportunist that wants to continue the corruption of Levine Cava. She is an open socialist that is opposed to elections! She against police and hates Mexicans & Cubans but supports the communist Cuban government. She also has been photographed going around without a mask and putting the elderly a risk for to take photos. She is wrong for District8! She is a danger! No to socialism and hatred of police in district 8!!
Buenos dias.
Hoy quiero dar testimonio público de una mujer que lo ha dado y sigue dando todo por su comunidad. Una mujer con una calidad humana caracterizada por un gran sentido y sentimiento solidaridad y entrega al trabajo social, sin que ningún interés personal empañe, esa entrega diaria y constante. Esa íntegra e inteligente mujer responde al nombre de Dra. Leonarda Buike. Conocí a Leonarda Buike en año 1996, e inmediatame se convirtió en esa mano amiga, en ese guía orientador y llena de entusiasmo que te muestra la mejor cara de la comunidad del Distrito 8. Una ciudadana norteamericano que te muestra la desencia, la transparencia, la honorabilidad, la honestidad, una profesora que te enseña la moral y la grandeza del sueño norteamericano. La Dra. Leonarda Buike me acogió como su familia en su casa a penas conociéndose, su leatad y su comprimiso con los que no necesitan no tiene límite. Sin dudas alguna creo que será una gran comisionada y es lo que todos esperamos. Les pido a los honorables miembros de la Comisión que elijan para Comisionada del Distrito 8, a la Dra. Leonarda Buike una Ciudadana incluyente que no te pregunta cual es tu raza, cual es tu religión ni de cual pais tu vienes?
Su trabajo es empoderarte de las ventaja tan hermosa de ser un ciudadano norteamericano que sirve a su País y que lo engrandece con servicio social a la comunidad a la cual pertenezca.
La Dra. Leonarda Buike nos perteneces a todos y todas y seria un orgullo de pais que tan digna e inteligente mujer, nos representara.
Honor a quien honor merece.
!! FELICIDEDES DRA. LEONARDA BUIKE, NUEVA COMISIONADA!!
Omg…shananiggens as usual.. .. its not what you know. Its who you know.. Dra Duran is the most qualified person for this seat. She speaks out and speaks up for her community. She is honest and not a puppet. That’s why they would never appoint her. They need puppets that they can control and she is not one to be their puppet … UNFORTUNATELY ITS NOT ABOUT THE BEST CHOICE… it’s about who plays along with them…
The people supports Dr. Leo!
Dra. Leonarda Duran is the best option. Have a lot of years working in our community
The Democratic Party need to change. Listen to the people’s candidates that work hard in the community like Dra. Leonarda Duran. I do not support anyone well connected with the established rich peoples that control the Party. I disagree with that kind of politicians that manipulate the voters. And appoints people of their own linage.
La verdad que da ASCO, Y VERGUENZA, tirarse al ruedo político con tanta mediocridad, la Dra Leonarda Duran es una política a carta cabal, muy profesional, algo de lo cual carecen muchos en ese medio, la gente va a competir, pero en buena lid, con altura, con educación, . Es un lujo para el condado haber elegido a alguien como ella con tanto deseos de ayudar a lis demás, pero parece eso no importa, Por eso se dice cada pueblo tiene el candidato que merece.
Dra. Leonarda Duran. Is rhe BEST optiin. The community needs person like her.
I understand the point of not wanting to spend the money on a special election, but the commissioners should give the Candidates the opportunity to express themselves. They deserve to explain what are their goals for the people of District 8.
We are in the USA, we cant and should not handpick anybody. This is very sad and disrespectful to our community. My opinion: Leonarda Duran is the best candidate for this District. She genuinely loves her community, not the power and money this seat represents for some.
Por lo visto, serán muy pocas las personas de conceptos que se tirarann al ruedo político, hay mucha zancadillas, poco profesionalismo, no apreciar a la Dra Leonarda Duran es no querer estar representada por la honrradez
decencia, profesionalidad, etc , la mejor candidata
Miami Dems always do the same crap they pay consultants to hand-picked Candidates who end up losing.
I’ve known Dr. Duran for years. She was always helping and campaigning for other people, including some of the ones sitting in the Commission right now.
Dr. Leonarda is among the best and charismatic Latina Leaders the Party has.
That’s a shame, Cohen Higgins was hand picked by the ”owner” of the Democratic Party in Miami, Christian Ulvert, sweet he made the best deal, he has Mayor and a Commissioner.
Ulvert is the culprit in losing the seats in Miami Dade because, he focused only Daniella Levin’s race.
The Democratic Establishment in FL is hugely corrupted. They want people who are easy to manipulate.
Unfortunately this is a lost for the people of District 8 and Miami Dade
Df. Duran keep going don’t give up, you will kick Cohen Higgins out in 2022 when the people get to vote.
No mas Gimenez, no mas Rebecca, Pepe Diaz, Christian Ulvert, no mas corruptos que utilizan los partidos politios para llenarse lis bolsillos a costa dwl pueblo. Apoyo a Leonarda Duran…
Who are the people financing her? Follow the money…
Because the Miami Dade County commissioners and the appointed Major Daniella Levin Cava did not interview candidates for Commissioners for District 8,
so that everyone could hear what each one offers to the community and what their proposals are.
It is unfair that they are going to choose a candidate that you give in advance, we already know that they are going to choose her and they do not give her
the opportunity to speak to the commission and the public who always go to those meetings and whoever watches those rallies on television will see that It has been a clean choice.
Speaking of all these Lobbyists ! Where are they ? People like Brian May ,Former Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez favorite money man along with Jorge Luis Lopez who made millions on Uber & Lyft .They must be trying to figure out where to hide the money that they helped steal.The Corruption will continue and throw in Miami Beach Jimmy Morales and you have all the insiders doing what they do best : Behind closed doors where no one can see or hear them !
Ever since Director Fred Taylor left Miami Dade Police the department has seen a succession of lame directors who have cared more about their own benefits than the well-being of the department. Juan Perez was tossed into the role of director by Gimenez to act as the “useful idiot” and cover Gimenez’s tracks. Perez is not ethical, mature nor intelligent enough to lead a department or a commission district. Not surprised his philandering ways caught up with Perez at the end of his career. God help the female staff at the commission if this Don Juan Perez gets an office at that building.
She hasn’t even held office?
This is disrespectful to our voters. The privileged stay privileged.
Dr. Leonarda must be heartbroken. She gave so much of herself and her heart to Daniella Levine Cava. Then Daniella chose the young cute candidate over Leonarda….
WOW ! Bias in The MDC BCC ? More of the same Manure ?
So that is why Perez began his retirement 6 months early; I thought it was because the wild west shooting by MDPD during the UPS truck hijacking was coming back to bite him.
There should be an election. If Cava has $400,000 for a pay and benefit package for a crook like Ed Marquez then the County has money to pay for an election.
Kudos to the Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners for considering Ms. Higgins, a fresh new faced- not a recycled politician.
To think any commissioner would even consider the likes of Juan Perez to such a prestigious post is preposterous.
For those not well informed, Juan Perez is a disgraced police officer who chose a promotion to MDPD Director, a pay raise and in hike in benefits from Mayor Carlos Gimenez in exchange for doing Gimenez’s bidding at MDPD and betraying his oath of office.
During his tenure as MDPD Director, Perez was Gimenez’s tool to prevent or stop corruption investigations into allegations of corruption that included Gimenez, his family and a cast of lobbyists that stole millions from our county.
As if that was not enough, Perez, who was internally known as the Dancing Queen by his co-workers and was known for his anger outbursts and choreographed break dancing and push up stunts in front of the MDPD headquarters building, was ushered out through the department’s back door in January of 2020, after an internal investigation revealed he was sleeping with the wife of a subordinate who is also an MDPD police officer.
Thank you commissioners for discarding Juan Perez as a candidate to the BOCC. One step forward to eliminating corruption and lack of ethics in County government.