The Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations has yet another candidate forum, the second of three this month, Wednesday night. This one features the head-to-head contests in three House districts.
In House District 105, Democrat Javier Estevez is going up against Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez for the seat vacated by State Rep. turned Ambassador Carlos Trujillo.
The incumbent is Republican and Rodriguez has had Dems vote for her in Doral and $278,000 in campaign contributions, which is about 45 times as much as Estevez raised. Even though she has spent all but about $20,000 to get into the general, Estevez better take advantage of this forum because she has access to more money.
Read related: KFHA candidate forum features Kendall Senate and two state races
In House District 116, Republican incumbent State Rep. Daniel Perez, who has had to win three 
elections in less than 18 months, will defend himself a fourth time against Democrat James Harden, who hasn’t even had a primary.
Harden is also at a huge disadvantage not only because of his name — Ladra doesn’t think the Eileen Higgins phenomenon is going to repeat in Westchester — and financially, with only $5,960 raised compared to $209,550 raised by Perez.
In House District 119, left open by termed out State Rep. Jeanette Nunez, there are two newbies: Democrat Heath Rassner and Republican Juan Fernandez-
Barquin, who pulled an upset beating Analeen “Annie” Martinez, the commissioner’s kid.
Read related: Primary election brings few surprises, leaving general on hook
Still, that took nearly his whole $174,000 nut (including the $30K he loaned himself) and Fernandez-Barquin’s got about $20,000 left — which is still more than three times what Rassner has left. Rassner raised $13,000, but he spent almost $7,000 already as well.
It looks like the Democrats blew it again, putting no-name candidates with very little money or momentum in state races that could have been competitive and could have been carried in a blue wave but likely won’t be now.
Voters can make up their own minds at the KFHA forum that begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Civic Pavilion in the Kendall Village shopping center.
Kendall forum features candidates from three state House races added by Ladra on
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As President of the Kendall Federation, I can tell you the endorsements of the PAC are not preordained. If you look through the 35 years of the PAC history you will find republicans, democrats,and independents have been chosen during those years, and there have been many “no” endorsements as well as co-endorsements.
The PAC has no idea how the candidates will respond to some very tough questions tonight, and there are no meetings before hand that preordains anything. If you attend tonight, you will see exactly what the PAC sees, and from those responses, decisions are made.
Look a bit deeper into that 119 race Ladra. The presence of a decently funded independent with a military background, Barquin’s lack of much media presence, and Rassner’s focus on canvassing, could be the set up for an election night surprise. That was a +12 Clinton district, a low key race might not be the worst thing for the Democrats.
I won’t be attending tonight’s forum and PAC. No matter which candidates do well, the outcome of the endorsements is preordained, unfortunately.