Miami District 2 race gets heated with attacks and smears on lead candidates

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Miami District 2 race gets heated with attacks and smears on lead candidates
  • Sumo

In the city of Miami special election, if we are to believe the text messages that voters are getting, we have a child molester, a communist sympathizer and an unethical attorney running for the seat vacated in District 2.

Of course, none of that is necessarily true. It’s just part of Miami elections. The smearing of candidates is something voters in the Magic City have been subjected to for decades.

One text message against Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres even has racist undertones.

“Puerto Rican criminal transplant James Torres is running for office and from his past,” it says. Why is it important that he’s Puerto Rican?

Read related: Miami D2 candidates file first campaign finance reports for special election

The rest of the text alludes to an arrest for endangering the health and welfare of a minor in Maricopa, Arizona. “We don’t need child abuser James Torres on the city commission.”

For the record, Torres explained that the incident — which he says was not an arrest — involved the disciplining of his son during a rough divorce. “I was called into court. It was all handled in the judicial system.”

But the attack shows how seriously he is being taken as a candidate who could win Feb. 27. And he’s not the only one.

Former TV journalist turned communications pro Sabina Covo has been linked to far left Colombian President Gustavo Petro and criticized for a bankruptcy she filed early in her life.

And Miami City attorney attached-to-the-mayor Eddy Leal, who is on leave from his job — and there should be a resign to run amendment for government employees — has been hit with an old ethics complaint that was actually filed by a developer and quickly dismissed unanimously by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust.

There’s no there there. But as we get closer to special Election Day in the city of Miami to fill the vacancy in District 2, the hit piece attacks are coming out against the front running candidates.

“I think it’s a racist thing,” Torres said about the text message against him. “Now we’re beating up on brown people?”

Torres told Ladra that the only crime he’s ever been charged with is having dark tints on his car in 2010. He paid $185 and that was it. But he went through a nasty divorce and his ex-wife’s now-husband made a bunch of accusations against him, none of which stuck.

“Every single one was dropped and not prosecuted,” he said.

Read related: Endorsements come in for the four front runners in city of Miami District 2 race

Torres believes the attacks are coming from former and disgraced Circuit Court Judge Martin Zilber, the best funded candidate in the race being pushed by Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla.

The text sounds very ADLP.

So does the text about Covo’s bankruptcy, which uses one of his favorite words. Can you guess what it is? “Sabina Covo can run but she can’t hide from her past,” it says. “Do we really this fraudster to get a hold of our tax dollars?”

Yep. Fraudster.

In a graphic web ad, she is called a con artist.

Covo told Ladra she filed for bankruptcy on the advice of a lawyer because she was newlywed and pregnant and she had incurred about $45,000 of debt from medical costs when she was between jobs and without insurance. She isn’t proud of it. But it doesn’t mean she can’t do the job.

And she readily admits that her dad’s cousin, Adelina Covo, is a Petro supporter. But what the text doesn’t tell you is that Covo ran the campaign for his opponent, Federico Gutierrez, in the U.S. and Europe (he won Miami by 80%). “I never wanted Petro. The only person in my family who was with Petro, because she aligns with him, is Adelina.”

There’s one in every family, right?

Leal was hit first, on a 2010 ethics complaint from the developers of the Babylon who were pissed off that Leal represented some opposing neighbors. He was cleared of any wrongdoing. But of course, the attack doesn’t say that.

An email sent out says he is greedy because he owns a bunch of commercial and residential properties. Shouldn’t it say he’s smart?

“Eso es pura envidia,” Leal told Ladra. “You work hard. You buy property. What’s the problem? Last time I checked, it’s legal to buy property in Miami. In fact, one could say I have more of a vested interest in the city because I have real estate holdings.”

All three of them are featured on a smear website where they are called “a gang of criminals,” so everyone knows the attacks are coming from Zilber.

“By process of elimination and because he s the only one with the funding and the capacity,” Leal said.

But the judge himself got hit Monday with a text message about his own ethics lapses and ties to commissioners and developers and pay to play endorsements.

“Roses are red, violets are blue. Martin gives us the blues, you should be weary too,” it starts. “Miami-Dade got Zinged by Zilber once We cannot allow to be zapped by Zilber now.

“Investigated by the FL Supreme Court and FL Bar for corrupt practices. Preyed on pregnant women and mistreated them routinely. Funded by deep pocketed developers who want to destroy historic neighborhoods and end city control over development projects. Over $100,000 raised by city hall insiders. Pay to play endorsements that will cost taxpayers millions through promises for campaign contributions and giveaways for special interests.

“So let’s not be fooled by Zilber. His pay to play endorsements will only bring more chaos and disorder to City Hall. Our courts were Zinged by Zilber. We cannot be Zinged by Zilber in District 2.”

Text messages don’t need to have the same political disclaimers that other campaign advertising is required to include — though they should. There’s no way to tell who paid for them and they are being used more and more rather than the traditional methods of communication that do require political disclaimers. This may become, if it hasn’t already, the principal way to communicate with voters.

But a mailer that went out last week attacking Zilber and ADLP was paid for by Miamians for Truth, Fairness and Justice, a new political action committee formed last month by Raul Miro, brother of Steven Miro, a former Carollo staffer who sued for wrongful termination (and settled last November for $120,000 after three years in court).

It basically faults Zilber for being similar to ADLP, which is definitely among the reasons voters are saying they won’t vote for the former judge.

Raul Miro said there were a couple of others coming out soon.

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31 Responses to "Miami District 2 race gets heated with attacks and smears on lead candidates"

  13. Eddie is a JOKE, puppet, condescending (&^CK he did nothing and is clamming he wrote policy. LIES and a slum lord . You have to be an Elected official to “enact” policy

    Covo backed by Failed Russell who broke our hearts and pocket books

    James Oh James. True leader and has the toughness to get things done, in todays fourm he was the shining star at the church ..If he can lead some 30,000 homeowners/residence he can lead US in the Grove and beyond!
    James Torres has my vote

    Reply

  14. Been in district 2 for more years than I can remember. I’ve researched and decided I’m voting for Eddy Leal. I’m a strong democrat but since this is a non partisan race, I’m angry that the Dems are slamming and sending negative ads against him. He’s independent and has been for many years. I vote dem 99% of the time. In addition I won’t vot for anyone who supports overdevelopment.

    Reply

  15. Yes to Maybe Javier. Check him out people. He just may be a truly legitimate non-pol, genuine, informed candidate. Not beholden to any current power structure, smart, thinks for himself and for our good, and cares.

    Reply

  16. Covo- cant stop talking about the news and the BK is a red flag..hell Iam still making payments on my student loans! Wish I can file BK, but she talks about medical , but it includes her car and other assets. LIER and JOKE and no one speaks on the fact that she also works for the Melo group…one of the worst developers in the city might be more corrupt than Sleepy Joe

    Eddie HAS never written or “enacted” policy YOU have to be an elected official…and also follow the money he spent it from a PAC..aka Baby Suárez

    Torres is my choice— health fundraiser and open and honest , results driven
    was shocked to know he is older than he looks wow

    VOTE JAMES on 27 FEB simple!
    AZB always
    Covo for back to Melo Group
    Eddie go get another job, Baby F cant pay you in Crypto

    Vote James
    Vote James

    Reply

  18. Last time I checked, this is a non-partisan seat. It seems unethical for the DNC to support a candidate – it should be against the rules for any candidate to receive an official endorsement from a party.

    Ken Russell’s endorsement of Covo doesn’t seem authentic at all, it seems like something that was cooked up at a DNC bonfire. I’ll pass on that bong. The DNC paid attack ads are also disgusting.

    I have friends who work for the fire department and police department and rumor has it that those endorsements for Zilber were forced by Carollo and DLP. It’s laughable.

    Feels like this entire election is rigged for Zilber, but Covo is trying to steal votes with that DNC endorsement.

    I’m going with an underdog, just haven’t decided who has the best chance of beating Covo and Zilber.

    Reply

  19. My vote is for Leal. He played an instrumental role in stopping the upzoning in the North Grove and Brickell Bay Drive – both as a private citizen and later as a city employee. Talk to him for 15 minutes and you will see that he is your guy.

    He drafted the key policies to preserve the Coconut Grove Playhouse and fought hard with our community to save it. He drafted the language that empowered our neighbors to have a voice in city hall and stop bad actors against over development. He drafted the language for the proposed mayor’s veto to the redistricting—but our mayor wouldn’t sign it. I think his experience in the city gives him a leg up from the rest.

    Covo will be another Ken Russell and will be trampled on by Carollo and DLP. Zilber will be a puppet for obvious reasons. Torres is probably a good guy, but doesn’t stand a chance in this election.

    Reply

  20. ” Not sure why no one has picked that Covo derives her income from a developer looking to build more high rises in our city. It’s listed on her financial disclosures. The Melo group”

    I am a big believer in voting for new people but your point is a great point which is over looked .

    She has same ole same ole written all over her and would guess this is why she is running , for the Mello Group.

    Reply

  23. why is none one talking about Max Martinez? He has no special interests and is not being supported by a political machine like Zilber? Max’s performance at the last candidate forum was GREAT!

    Sabina lost my vote the moment Ken Russell endorsed her.
    Definitely will be voting for Max!

    Reply

  25. todays forum, was a lot of nothing.

    Marty Sanoff made a comment that was eye opening, “I canvas, and just came back before I got here”.. but the pearly white shoes show otherwise. Como on man!
    Covo can seem to shake the BK bug.. she keep telling US different stories. Well economics 101 .. Balance your own check book before you try to balance the city budget.
    Eddie still the intuition and claims to have “enacted” legislation… how about a NOT, come on man..get off of that ask Ponzi Mayor to give you something new… you on leave or soon to be fired.
    Torres oh boy he held his own in his “backyard” defending it to a ‘T” really showed us all , that he has no special interest ties and also addressed the negative chatter. Was tripped up by a no name candidate but quickly recovered and defended a park items that was brought up.

    I have to tell ya folks if I we’re a betting person , bet on Blue oops Red oh heck..
    Torres was a winner and a stateman. guys has my vote and also doesn’t dress to bad either.

    Ps Covo your explanation on Bk makes no sense to me .. so your saying it ok to file BK and have the burden placed on the creditors and you walk away scot free .. not on my watch…once again learn how to balance your check book before you try to balance the budget

    Reply

  27. Not sure why no one has picked that Covo derives her income from a developer looking to build more high rises in our city. It’s listed on her financial disclosures. The Melo group. That alone compromises her ability to serve. Is she going to recuse herself every time this developer or their inverters come before the commission for a vote?

    Reply

  29. This whole thing is a joke, We all know who is behind the curtain Marc/Krusty/Alex/King!!!!
    The simple fact is this James Torres standing up to these ganisters is key to all of us, he is not connected to ANYONE of them and we need the change and Torres is the change!

    Covo is lost in space
    Eddie -on multiple occasions states that heh “enacted” legislation at the City is not true HE is NOT an ELECTED official He also is a lobbyist for several Brickell properties while serving as a city employee.

    My vote and YOUR should be James Torres , no a puppet to anyone and we need this for ALL of us

    Covo is a Russelll 2.0
    Leal—Mayors puppet

    Vote James 27 FEB the Grove needs this guy and not Marty Sarnoff

    Reply

  30. Great article. People who support the under dogs like Torres, Covo and Leal (all great people – who have done nothing but live the American Dream) deserve to have these smear campaigns responded to and their truths told. None of us are perfect and these moments where we fail in life provide us the opportunity to rise above and be better. Laser focusing on the past does not dictate the future. Voters do and believe me one of these three will be our next D2 commissioner.

    Reply

  31. Javier Gonzalez is a candidate. He has lived in D2 for decades. Obviously, Zilber and Covo and the carpetbagger Torres are flawed. Maybe Javier?

    Reply

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