New purple spin doctor duo: Jesse Manzano & Ben Pollara

New purple spin doctor duo: Jesse Manzano & Ben Pollara

Two of the original G-Men are together again: Jesse Manzano-Plaza, who ran the immediate 2012 re-election campaign for Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, has joined the consulting firm headed by Alex Heckler and former State Rep. Marcelo Llorente, who came in third in the 2011 recall mayoral race and then endorsed Gimenez. Manzano and Ben Pollara, […]

Lobbyist fundraises for fellow lobbyist, Carlos Curbelo

Lobbyist fundraises for fellow lobbyist, Carlos Curbelo

Influential lobbyist Jorge Luis Lopez — who everyone says ought to have his own desk on the 29th floor at County Hall — seems to be trying to increase his influence and take it national. Why else would he be having a fundraiser Friday for newly-minted Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-Kendall). Lopez sent out an invitation […]

Lubby Navarro is named to Miami-Dade School Board

Lubby Navarro is named to Miami-Dade School Board

Florida Rick Scott has appointed Lubby Navarro, a Miami-Dade School Board lobbyist, to the school board’s governing body in the seat vacated by former School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, who was elected to Congress in November. Navarro’s appointment is about to be announced any minute now (Friday afternoon). She was picked from a group of […]

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to file soon for re-election

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to file soon for re-election

A lot of speculation has been made about whether Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine is exploring higher office, perhaps a senate seat or a run for Florida governor in 2018. But, for now, he’s simply running for mayor of Miami Beach again. Political consultant Christian Ulvert, a key Levine campaign man in 2013, told Ladra […]

Newby commissioner is David Richardson’s first Senate nod

Newby commissioner is David Richardson’s first Senate nod

Way more than a little early in the game, State Rep. David Richardson has announced a “key endorsement” this week in his bid to become a state senator: Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava. Say what? Levine Cava is the newest county commissioner and, as such, probably wields the least power on the dais. She is […]

Carlos Gimenez’s next mancrush giveaway to Donald Trump

Carlos Gimenez’s next mancrush giveaway to Donald Trump

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Mr. Giveaway” Gimenez has apparently never met a billionaire he didn’t like — or didn’t want to give public money and assets to. The latest mayoral mancrush in his stream of bromances with billionaires is with Donald Trump. Hope Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and soccer star David Beckham aren’t too jealous. […]

Gimenez $500K: Drop in the war chest from the usual pirates

Gimenez $500K: Drop in the war chest from the usual pirates

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Cry Wolf” Gimenez collected more than $500,000 over the course of 16 days in January, according to the first campaign report filed for his re-election bid in 2016, which is already headed to history as the most expensive mayoral election in county history. His little group of followers and apologists — which […]

Both Miami Lakes mayors think they won first round

Both Miami Lakes mayors think they won first round

Former Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi went before a judge again Wednesday — but, this time, he was not the defendant. Pizzi appeared before Circuit Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely as plaintiff in a lawsuit to reclaim the mayor’s seat, which his dream team of seven attorneys attorneys claim is “unlawfully occupied by Wayne Slaton, who […]

Tiny gap in Raquel Regalado poll is huge, but no big surprise

Tiny gap in Raquel Regalado poll is huge, but no big surprise

Watch out, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Cry Wolf” Gimenez. The results of the enormous poll commissioned by auto mogul and political meddler Norman Braman are out and indicate very good news for not only Miami-Dade School Board Member Raquel Regalado, who now knows she can, indeed, take on the current county mayor. The poll bodes well […]

Michael Pizzi swings again to get his Miami Lakes seat back

Michael Pizzi swings again to get his Miami Lakes seat back

And the legal fees keep racking up in Miami Lakes. Founding Mayor Wayne Slaton moved to dismiss the lawsuit filed by his nemesis, former and suspended and acquitted Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi, who says he should be reinstated to his seat because the governor rescinded the suspension from office. The argument used by Slaton […]