Cardenas, Florez drop out of Miami Beach commission race

Cardenas, Florez drop out of Miami Beach commission race

U.S. Congressman? Nah. Miami Beach commissioner? Nah. What is Republican wunderchild David Cardenas waiting for? The political prodigy — son of former Florida Republican Party Chair Al Cardenas, who now heads a national GOP PAC — withdrew from the race for Miami Beach commissioner in District 1 last month, less than a month after he filed to run. […]

Tony Vega challenges Hialeah Councilman Luis Gonzalez

Tony Vega challenges Hialeah Councilman Luis Gonzalez

He’s baaaaaaack. Tony “Phony” Vega, the gun dealer with the secret deal two years ago — in which he ran under Hialeah Mayor Carlos Castro Hernandez’s slate in exchange for a “fast tracking” of his gun range permit — has cast his hat back in the ring. This time, he is challenging Council Vice President […]

Ah, the sweet smell of politics: Scents for everyone

Ah, the sweet smell of politics: Scents for everyone

Ladra is still sort of giggling at the thought of a new cologne for men being produced by former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who announced the possible mass production of “The Commissioner” and his congressional campaign against U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia simultaneously on Friday. But maybe the joke is on me — now that he is selling […]

Joe Martinez launches Congressional campaign, cologne

Joe Martinez launches Congressional campaign, cologne

Former Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez — who lost a bitter battle for the mayor’s job agaisnt Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez in the first round in August — has launched his campaign to run against newly-minted U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia. Oh, and he also wants to launch a cologne called The Commissioner. Who does Martinez […]

Roger Stone’s Gov run: True leadership or brilliant strategy?

Roger Stone’s Gov run: True leadership or brilliant strategy?

Longtime legendary GOP kingmaker Roger Stone — a veteran Republican Party campaign strategist for the likes of Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp and both George Bushes— says he may run for Florida governor with the Libertarian Party. But fueling fire on arguments that the move is another one of his brilliant political strategies to hurt and draw votes away from […]

Mayor’s buddies too close to Dolphins crew for comfort

Mayor’s buddies too close to Dolphins crew for comfort

Mayor Carlos Gimenez has not started negotiating with the Miami Dolphins yet on their desire to have public funds pay half of the renovations at Sun Life Stadium. Does anyone believe that? He stressed this at the press conference Monday that announced the referendum on the matter and, while I may agree that there haven’t […]

Stadium finance plan hinges on vote AND Super Bowl pick

Stadium finance plan hinges on vote AND Super Bowl pick

So, let’s get this straight: Not only does the public have to vote in favor of any tourist bed tax increase that would help finance renovations at the Miami Dolphins arena, but the NFL also has to pick Sun Life Stadium for its Super Bowl 50 as well? No game, no play? And we don’t pay? […]

Dolphins stadium Referendum Day: More ‘surprises’ in store?

Dolphins stadium Referendum Day: More ‘surprises’ in store?

What makes today any different than last October, when voters polled overwhelmingly, by more than 80 percent, rejected the notion of public funds — yes, even a bed tax — going to yet another sports arena owned by yet another millionaire? We’ll find out in a couple of hours, when Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and […]

Dolphin stadium’s $$ referendum: Mayor’s new ‘tack’?

Dolphin stadium’s $$ referendum: Mayor’s new ‘tack’?

A voter referendum. That must be the different “tack” Mayor Carlos Gimenez told his friend about when talking about the Miami Dolphins’ stadium a couple weeks ago. Gimenez bff and campaign driver Ralph Garcia-Toledo said the mayor told him this at his house the Sunday after the Dolphins got a yes vote from the commmission […]

Carollo jumps into Miami race — for his own re-election

Carollo jumps into Miami race — for his own re-election

Well, he’s in. Miami City Commissioner Frank Carollo jumped into the race Friday — finally turning in his paperwork for re-election to his seat and ending any speculation that he might run for mayor, too. Ladra guesses the fierce battle brewing between Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Francis Suarez, who wants to be mayor so […]