Two city commissioners will face challenges in May election
Without a challenger, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz became mayor of Sweetwater again last week — and secured his third retirement check on the public trough.
Qualifying ended Friday and Diaz, mayor there from 1999 to 2003, was the only one who wanted to lead the city of almost 20,000 people.
“I’m honored to have been elected without opposition as the Mayor-Elect of my hometown,” Diaz posted on Twitter Friday after qualifying ended. “I’ve had the privilege of not only living in Sweetwater for over 50 years, but also serving the city and our county for more than 31 years continuously as an elected official,” wrote Diaz, who raised at least $119,000 just in February, according to his campaign finance report, and now has to return it or give it to charity. He can keep the $22K he raised for his political action committee.
“I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of this beautiful city and begin to work on the issues that affect our everyday life. Improving our city’s public safety, transportation, financial stability, parks, resurfacing & beautifying our streets are some of my priorities,” Diaz wrote.
Read related: Jose “Pepe” Diaz launches his campaign to return to mayor’s seat in Sweetwater
“None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and all the residents of Sweetwater. Thank you for this honor!”
Commission President Saul Diaz was also reelected unopposed in Group 6.
In Group 5, Commissioner Isidro Ruiz has been challenged by Jose Guerra, who resigned from the city’s planning and zoning board just four days before qualifying. A registered Republican, Guerra, 65, is a driver for Conviva Care Centers and has a valid concealed weapons permit.
The city’s website indicates that Commissioner Isolina Maroño was originally going to run in Group 5, but apparently thought it over and decided not to.
Read related: Jose Pepe Diaz to turn to city of Sweetwater to prolong political power
Commissioner Reynaldo Rey in Group 7 is being challenged by Rolando Mendez, a CT scan supervisor at Jackson Health Systems, according to his qualifying papers. Mendez, 54, is registered NPA and has a valid concealed weapons license.
Is there something about Sweetwater that people feel the need to carry?
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Sweetwater is more than 95% Hispanic and only .8% black. The median household income is around $46,224. The median age is 41.9 years old.
And 13.7% of families live at or below the poverty level.
Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job added by Ladra on
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