If you’re following the District 2 race in Miami, you’ve likely seen incumbent Commissioner Sabina Covo‘s ads on TV.
This week, Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres, who has a much smaller warchest and can’t afford a lot of network time, posted his first video web ad, a fast-paced 30-second spot that calls for new blood at City Hall and calls out the current state of dysfunction.
“Miami, the time for change is now. We face scandals, corruption and a government that won’t listen to its residents,” Torres says in the spot, which Ladra found on what used to be Twitter.
“But to change City Hall, we need to change the way we vote. I’ve been at the forefront of our community, always leading the charge for change. And I’m here to ask you, will you stand with me and make that change?”
Read related: Miami Commissioner Sabina Covo disappoints, faces seven challengers
One of eight candidates for the D2 seat, Torres has been representing the residents of the downtown with the DNA for years. He most recently led the opposition to the controversial billboards ordinance which would have allowed up to 45 LED bright lit signs in downtown Miami.
At last week’s meeting, Torres showed up with about 2,000 signatures against the ordinance, which was finally voted down after so many deferrals.
The other candidates are:
- Eddy Leal, former general counsel for Mayor Francis Suarez
- Damian Pardo, preservationist and LGBTQ activist
- Christi Reeves Tasker, a home decor and fashion jewelry designer who lives in Brickell and has also called out the corruption at public meetings.
- Alicia Susan Kossick, owner of the Polished Coconut in the Grove
- Gabriela Ariana Chirinos, who is banking on her newcomer status
- Michael Castro, who ran for Miami-Dade Commission in District 7 in 2016, getting 28% of the vote against Xavier Suarez
Torres is likely one of the top contenders in this contest. He has been active on social media, using a graphic of a milkshake to represent “shaking things up” at City Hall.
Miami District 2 candidate James Torres posts first video ad, calls ‘for change’ added by Ladra on
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@Brickell Girl
You are so very right about her! Glad someone else is seeing this at face value. Do you think Covid-19 aka Covo paid her? or Attorney for the Mayor Leal ? I smell a rat.
In many townhalls all she does is talk about Nada.
Cristi Tasker during the February 2023 elections was in the bottom 3 from 13 candidates with only 85 votes. 1.3%, what Cristi Tasker has done differently to be able to be at least in the top 3 of these elections ???. Cristi is just entertainment for these elections, a clown. In the first Edgewater debate all she did was criticize others, she did not give solutions or a plan to improve D2. Apparently she is paid to entertain and sabotage the other candidates. Covo, Torres, Pardo & Leal.
I wish I managed the Miami Independent, but I am just a contributor. I may not be the most experienced of campaign managers, but I do have 30 years of advocacy and non-profit experience. Maybe that doesn’t count for much in Miami where you have to have an arrest record to be a political player.
We need a correction on this article! Christi Tasker is the only District 2 Candidate with no criminal record or political ties! Christi Tasker was also featured on Epoch Times for her advertising company! While James Torres has committed criminal acts that are being scrubbed from the internet. Do your research. The people of Miami deserve better!
Christi Tasker is much more than a jewelry designer. She is an extremely intelligent businesswoman https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/special-report-employment-experts-discuss-disconnect-between-useful-skills-and-academic-degrees-5498021 and knows the insides and outside of how the city works both from structurally and politically . And most importantly she really cares about helping the city fight corruption
To MaryK
Please review the video. Torres clearly told commissioners that he was in favor of the item changing the Sign Code to allow LED billboards in Ferre and Bayfront parks. And there are two petitions. The first petition was started by a Downtown resident. It demanded no billboards. It had nothing to do with Torres. Later, Torres copied the first petition.
@Ed Vidal
Please check your facts on something, the Miami Independent as per SUN BIZ is ran by …TASKER’s want to be Manager… so so much for Independent NEWS… just saying
So, ask yourself this if this was “Independent” why were no other Candidates interviewed?
Things to make you go hum.
@Flip Flop
I am a Downtowner, and let me share facts, over a year ago there was a Commission meeting in which BOTH Carollo and DLP had items as it relates to billboards
Fact Carollo was wanting to address the smaller billboards that are all over Downtown/Grove and other places.
Fact DLP was also addressing Billboards MURALS to be placed ALL over City owned property and other places. When this was addressed in a townhall meeting, the DNA addressed both and Torres was given direction from the BOARD to address this fro the Community at large.
Questions were asked on both items and the DNA makes comments that it was not in favor of BOTH items BUT that IF it had to choose the Carollo item was OK BUT NOT into the parks (Bayfront and MAF. Carollo has been on Record several times that these will not go into the parks.
Please note that the DDA (Downtown Devl Authorty) was at the forefront of this many years agao and they have been working with Grove Bid on this and other Bids.
So to BLAME Torres your sadly incorrect, please know your facts.
Torres took on PZAB and was able to get a 10-0 in favor to not move forward, they also got the 2k signatures and discovered the money exchange to Covo of 15,0000 and Torres has been calling her out to “return the money” which she has not done.
So @flip flip please know your facts before you comment or call the DNA Torres. he has always been for the Community and the interest of us as a community/city
Thank you
Mary
Torres flip flopped on LED Billboards. Torres begged commissioners to allow a billboard company to put LED billboards in parks. It is on video.
Residents have Nathan Kurland to thank for the LED billboard item being killed. But keep an eye on Sabina Covo. She took at least $15,000 from a billboard company. She might vote Yes after the November election.
Torres is right, and Covo has to go. All fluff and no ability to stand up to the other commissioners. She’s shown no willingness to fight for anything. Leal has the legal background and insight into the city to do well. Pardo has a track record of getting things done and Torres has shown he has the commitment to lead. Tough choices between these three, but one of them has to displace Covo.
Several months ago James Torres stood up at City Hall and begged Joe Carollo, Alex DLP and the other commissioners to vote Yes to allow LED billboards in Ferre Park, Bayfront Park, yup. Torres advocated for LED billboards harassing residents and tourists.
Christi is a social media influenced, small business entrepreneur, and grandmother!
She is the patriotic, honest and competent candidate.
See: https://miamiindependent.com/christi-tasker-fights-tammany-hall-in-miami/
This Torres guy is all over and I like that about him
Seeing the shake is making want one
Good luck James …you got this
Shake it up