The endorsements are multiplying in the Coral Gables election, which ends next Tuesday. And just in time, too — as the vote-by-mail or absentee ballots are mailed to voters.
Three Group 2 candidates who didn’t make the runoff in the April 13 vote, Tania Cruz-Gimenez, Alexander Luis Haq and Claudia Miro, each endorsed Rhonda Anderson at a press conference in front of City Hall Tuesday. She already had the endorsement of the Miami Herald.
“After months of battling on the campaign trail, Rhonda Anderson won the April 13 election, and I’m proud to stand beside her today and say that I intend to do everything I can to ensure that she wins in the April 27 runoff, because she is the right person for the job,” Cruz-Gimenez said.
“I ran for the Coral Gables City Commission because I believe we need elected officials who will listen to residents’ concerns, govern transparently, and always act in the best interests of our community,” she added. “I have no doubt that Rhonda will do just that.”
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“I will work with all of them for the betterment of Coral Gables,” Anderson said at the press conference. And in Spanish.
“Today’s press conference was symbolic of something far more meaningful than traditional endorsements,” she told Ladra. “It was about bridging divides and seeking unity. We may have been running for the same seat, but we shared common fundamental beliefs.
“For Coral Gables to prosper and improve the quality of life for all residents, we need to work together and our government must treat residents with civility and respect,” Anderson said.
That’s exactly what Miro told reporters at the press conference that she was looking forward to. Anderson would bring “much needed civility” to City Hall, she said. “She will raise the standards so that all Coral Gables residents are respected when they go to the commission.”
Anderson’s 16 years of civic involvement in the city — including a post on the planning and zoning board — and her positive campaigning is what sold Cruz-Gimenez, who came in third.
“I know she earned every single vote. As I was walking and knocking, so was she, going to every single neighborhood, to speak to voters personally about her vision for the City,” said Cruz-Gimenez, the daughter-in-law of Congressman Carlos Gimenez (which, no doubt, hurt her). “Rhonda has a proven record fighting against overdevelopment and protecting our neighborhoods, and has shown that she has the courage to stand up for what she believes in.
“Rhonda has demonstrated that she is willing to respect and listen to all residents.”
The Coral Gables firefighters who endorsed Cruz-Gimenez in the first round followed her to Team Rhonda.
Missing from the kumbaya picture of collegiality Tuesday was Mayra Joli, who still thinks that Anderson was the one who called the cops on her at the library during early voting when she was blasting music from her mobile sign truck. It wasn’t just Latin music, either. Joli pumped up the volume on Whitney Houston and did a Singing in the Rain duet with Rip Holmes. Anderson has denied calling the police and Chief Ed Hudak told Ladra a resident called him direct to complain. But Joli is unconvinced.
“I’m not going to support anybody,” Joli told Ladra. “I’m not one of those players who shakes hands after the game.”
She said that she will write her own name on her ballot for round 2.
Meanwhile, Jose Valdes-Fauli — the brother of the current mayor, running in the same group — has the endorsements from Miami-Dade Democrats, Coral Gables Democrats, the Victory Fund, Equality Florida and SAVE. He said he didn’t seek any endorsements from any former or current elected officials.
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“Those can work for you or against you,” Valdes-Fauli said. Yeah, maybe more so against you if it was brother Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli.
He told AmericaTeve reporter Adriana Navarro that the three former opponents who endorsed Anderson were bitter because he won “the Latin vote,” seeing as how Anderson was the only non-Hispanic in the group. He sounded a little snippy. Guess the disdain is in the DNA.
Some voters also got a mailer from Group 3 candidate Kirk Menendez that has him flanked by photos of Commissioners Mike Mena and Jorge Fors. Like, does he think that’s a good thing?
“Kirk cares deeply about Coral Gables and has been involved in our community for many years. I am confident he will represent the residents of Coral Gables honorably and effectively,” Fors is quoted as saying.
“From his years of volunteering at the Youth Center to his service on the parks board, Kirk Menendez has been a leader in Coral Gables,” says Mena. “I am proud to endorse him and look forward to serving with him on the Coral Gables Commission.”
Yeah, Ladra bets he does. Menendez is going to be much easier for these two to control than Baños.
Not mentioned is the fact that the three men share the same political consultant, Steve Marin and could become a majority voting block. Might they make a Gables version of the Three Amigos, like there was in Miami? (Remember, that didn’t end well.)
Javier Baños, meanwhile, has gotten the endorsements of former Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, South Miami Vice Mayor Josh Liebman and former State Rep. Javier Fernandez, as well as The Miami Herald, SAVE, Equality Florida and Miami’s Community Newspapers.
“During these challenging times, we need a commissioner who will represent the residents and be a voice against unbridled development,” Cabrera said. “Javier has made it clear. He will be that voice to ensure our city’s special quality of life and charm will never be compromised.”
Liebman said that Baños’ experience on the neighboring city’s pension board will serve the Gables well.
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“Under his leadership, our city was able to address our unfunded liability and bring our pension from 70% funded to 105% funded,” Liebman said. “He did not bow down to outside pressures.
“Javier has helped secure the financial stability of our city for years to come,” Liebman added.
Baños does not, despite a carefully cropped photo on a mailer, have the endorsement of Mayor Elect Vince Lago, who told Ladra he is staying out of it. Last election, Lago supported Cabrera over Fors and, he said, it has taken him a while to mend that relationship.
“I have to work with whoever gets elected,” Lago said.
Well, that didn’t end well for your pal, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez when he refused to endorse Alfie Leon. He ended up getting Joe Carollo.
Endorsements fly in Coral Gables runoff election, as VBM ballots arrive added by Ladra on
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