Good money is on Rebeca Sosa for new commission chair

Good money is on Rebeca Sosa for new commission chair

It’s most likely going to be a woman — the Miami-Dade County Commissioner that replaces former Chairman Joe Martinez — who lost a mayoral challenge to the incumbent two weeks ago. And according to the malas lenguas in the know, it really boils down to one of two choices: Vice Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson and Commissioner […]

Joe Martinez says bye-bye county… hello Congress?

Joe Martinez says bye-bye county… hello Congress?

Days before the swearing-in of seven new county commissioners (okay, six old and one new), exiting Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez said good bye to his electronic constituency via his weekly e-newsletter. But maybe it’s just a “see you later” instead. Martinez told Ladra Friday that while he’s “gotta find a job in the private […]

Good thing Machado lost… he shouldn’t even be a cop

Good thing Machado lost… he shouldn’t even be a cop

Now that Miami-Dade Police Det. Manny Machado lost his bullish bid to become county commissioner, let’s hope the police department investigates his tactics — which are unethical and misleading and not what one wants of their law enforcement officials. Can you say Internal Affairs? Let’s forget, for a moment, that Machado — who thankfully lost […]

Obama’s coattails, GOP gaffes, cause local chaos

Obama’s coattails, GOP gaffes, cause local chaos

It’s been a week since the election, enough time for Ladra to lick her wounds and take a step back to look at the damage. Call Geico. It’s a total loss. Last week’s win by President Barack Obama also ushered in local victories for other Democrats that would be unthinkable in a non presidential year. […]

Poll watch parties sprout up for Tuesday’s vote count

Poll watch parties sprout up for Tuesday’s vote count

There are several places one can go to watch the numbers tally in Tuesday’s election — watch parties for all shapes and sizes and, well, parties. The Democrats aren’t having one that I know of, though they have a post election party on Wednesday. They call it a campaign “wrap” party and it starts at […]

Vote Zapata: Because bullies have no place on the commission

Vote Zapata: Because bullies have no place on the commission

One of the closest local races to be decided Tuesday is the county commission contest in district 11, vacated by Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez in his failed bid for mayor. And it shouldn’t be this close. Because one of the candidates is a respected and experienced leader on a national level who has served […]

Joe Garcia tries to steal the King’s throne — again

Joe Garcia tries to steal the King’s throne — again

President Barack Obama is not the only one sweating it out these last few days before Tuesday’s big dance. King David “Nine Lives” Rivera is in the fight of his life to keep his throne. The congressman is used to coasting back into office on the backs of his adoring fans. But this year, the […]

Absentee voting in person — say what? — extended

Absentee voting in person — say what? — extended

Hundreds of voters lined up outside the Miami-Dade Elections Department Sunday to cast their vote via absentee ballots they could request and turn in on the spot. But they almost couldn’t. After about two hours of processing during a four-hour window that was announced suddenly early Sunday, elections officials came outside and announced that the […]

Early voting extended: Trick? Or treat?

Early voting extended: Trick? Or treat?

In a rare and unprecedented move, the Miami-Dade Elections Department opened this afternoon and extended the deadline to request absentee ballots — which blew by on Wednesday — for four hours. Until 5 p.m., voters can go to the government office in Doral and request and fill out and turn in an absentee ballot. It’s […]

ADLP wins endorsement from local leaders

ADLP wins endorsement from local leaders

So what if Miami-Dade Commissioner Mayor Sir Xavier Suarez has backed Jose Javier Rodriguez in the newbie’s bid for state rep in District 112? An act, by the way, that drew the ire of former State Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla in a nasty robocall that calls him “crazy” and tries to steal credibility from his consent (more on that […]