Almost everyone in the political 305 has the same basic theory about the very public and nasty breakup between consultant/lobbyist David Custin and campaign attorney JC Planas — that it has to do with newly-elected Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine. Oh, and money, of course. A couple of sources close Beach government have suggested that […]
It seems that campaign consultant David Custin can’t keep a long-term relationship with anybody. Word is that Custin and his attorney pal JC Planas, who share a multitude of political clients and most recently conspired, er, I mean worked together to elect Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, are at odds with each other. Is it […]
Dear Mayor Elect Philip Levine: In a matter of hours, you will take your duly elected office as the newly named mayor of Miami Beach and I would like to take this opportunity to extend an olive branch and make some recommendations and requests. I know my words may fall on deaf ears. After all, […]
Miami Beach voters went for sweeping change Tuesday, throwing out both incumbents and choosing a fresh face over a longtime activist. But the change was cultural as well as political. Because for the first time in almost 20 years, there is not one single Hispanic elected official to represent the majority of the population in […]
The three winning candidates are not the only victors in Tuesday’s heated election in Miami Beach. There are a whole slew of people, organizations, firms and special interests who also won alongside the city’s newest commissioners, all newcomers to the dais — Attorney Michael Grieco, retired banker Joy Malakoff and Tallahassee wife Micky Steinberg. Ladra […]
Miami Beach Mayor Elect Philip Levine is having a little shindig on Friday for his slate mates — it’s called a “friendraiser,” though, because I think it is past the deadline for reporting campaign contributions. But not everyone is included. The event posted on facebook Wednesday is for commission candidates Michael Greico and Joy Malakoff, […]
As Ladra researched the Miami Beach mayoral elections and talked to dozens of people, one name came up as often as that of the candidates’: Commissioner Jonah “Potty Mouth” Wolfson, un fosforito with possible ethics lapses who is hell bent on getting questionable millionaire jerk Philip Levine elected and is alternately described as Levine’s attack […]
Can Miami Beach mayoral candidate Philip Levine speak for himself? Apparently only when lobbyist and campaign consultant David Custin gives him permission. In my attempt to talk to a political candidate as a political blogger, I tried contacting his handlers, which include Custin and attorney JC Planas, who I called after Custin threatened and insulted me. […]
While there are five Miami-Dade School Board seats on the ballot this year, only one of the contests so far seems like it could be a real schoolyard fight. Three incumbents — Wilbert Holloway, Martin Karp and Larry Feldman (Ladra’s district member) — are so far unopposed (more on that later). One campaign lost its […]
The sleepy little suburban bliss that is Doral is about to get a muddy political makeover. Even in this year’s cornucopia of campaigns, the Doral city elections are worth watching. Not just because every seat on the council save one is up for grabs (more on that later). Not because the candidates are that engaging […]