A new PAC for incumbent reported $375 in donations
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, who was forced out of office by term limits in 2020, made the long running rumors official Friday when she filed paperwork to get her old seat back in a challenge against Commissioner Keon Hardemon.
This ought to be fun. Now we have two interesting races. The other one is in District 7, where former Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner wants a rematch against Commissioner Raquel Regalado.
“Today, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson announces her decision to reenter the political arena with a firm commitment to serve the people of District 3 once more,” read a statement sent on her behalf. “Edmonson stands ready to lead and brings her extensive experience, dedication, and proven track record to tackle the challenges facing District 3 residents and Miami-Dade County.”
That’s only because she couldn’t get enough money to mount a real challenge to the unbeatable Congresswoman Federica Wilson, bowing out of the contest before qualifying in 2022. Ladra hopes she doesn’t do the same thing again.
Read related: Audrey Edmonson may plan pre-emptive strike with congressional bid
“Audrey M. Edmonson’s commitment to public service and her dedication to her constituents have been the hallmarks of her political career,” her announcement statement continued. “During her tenure as county commissioner, from 2005 to 2020, Edmonson was renowned for her ability to get things done, earning the trust and admiration of the residents she served.”
She only just filed so Edmonson hasn’t reported any funds raised yet and won’t have to until April.
Hardemon, meanwhile, reported his best quarter ending Dec. 31, with $21,600 in donations, which brings his total up to $30,490, including $10,000 in bundled $1,000 checks connected to real estate developer David Brown and his companies and partners.
But don’t feel too bad for Keon, who raised more than $1 million for his political action committee to get elected in 2020. He’s got money elsewhere.
A new electioneering communication organization, which is like a PAC but with a few more rules, collected $375,000 for Hardemon in the last quarter of 2023, according to the campaign finance report filed last month.
The PAC, called All Miami-Dade, is chaired by his cousin, Zakiya Hardemon Kelley, daughter of Barbara and Bill Hardemon. Only she left Hardemon off this paperwork for some reason.
Read related: Keon Hardemon moves to punish former opponent by taking CBO funds
The largest contribution is $100,000 from RQ Vending, which is owned by the Roversi family, who want to build a 248-unit workforce housing project in the Brownsville neighborhood. It is one in a series of developments the Roversi family plans to build on former county-owned properties deemed “surplus” that they purchased for nominal prices in exchange for providing more affordable housing inventory.
Miami-Dade has conveyed a total of 1,438 lots under the county’s affordable housing programs. More than half of those are in Hardemon’s District 3. Of the 1,438, 34 parcels have been purchased by the Roversi family, according to a May 2022 audit of county conveyances to various developers.
Other contributors to the PAC include $50,000 each from real estate developer Michael Simkins, real estate developer Michael Swerdlow, real estate investor Daniel Laplana — in five separate $10K checks from five separate companies — and Dennis DeGori, owner of the E11even nightclub. The PAC also got $40K in three checks from Coral Rock Development, David and Victor Brown‘s company, and one $30,000 check from Duty Free Air and Ship Supply.
No expenses were recorded from October through December 31. It’s early yet.
And we don’t know yet if Edmonson has a PAC, or, rather, what PAC it is. But there is another new PAC, Citizens for Progress, that filed paperwork with the Elections Department on Friday just hours before Edmonson filed.
Marion K. Brown is also running. He’s raised less than $2,500 and doesn’t stand a chance.
Audrey Edmonson wants Miami-Dade job back, challenges Keon Hardemon added by Ladra on
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