Miami incumbents sans opponents raise big bucks for re-election

Miami incumbents sans opponents raise big bucks for re-election

With little more than two months to go before the qualifying deadline, Miami City Commissioners Manolo Reyes and Ken Russell have no real challenge in their respective districts. But each has raised a ton of money. Por si las moscas. Reyes has raised almost a quarter million dollars and Russell has raised more than $350K, […]

The Cortadito Calendar for Memorial Day week

The Cortadito Calendar for Memorial Day week

Did you have a nice, loooong weekend? Well, just because it’s a shorter week doesn’t meant there’s not a lot going on. The cities of Miami and Coral Gables have some controversial items this week sure to pack their respective city halls while South Miami has a dejavu on affordable housing and the county has another […]

Miami voters: Watch your ABs; Al Lorenzo is back at work

Miami voters: Watch your ABs; Al Lorenzo is back at work

Miami seems to be a forgiving town, politically speaking. Miami-Dade Commissioner Xaver Suarez is a respected leader and viable contender for the county mayor’s post in 2020 despite having been removed from his Miami mayoral seat in 2007 due to widespread absentee ballot fraud in the 2006 city election. Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz continues […]

Miami commissioners use AT&T, despite attorney’s advice

Miami commissioners use AT&T, despite attorney’s advice

Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell was not able to get even a second on his motion to fire City Attorney Victoria Mendez Thursday. Russell had made the move to terminate Mendez because he said she intentionally withheld emails that he had asked her for. He said the 26 emails not provided to him painted a different […]

Miami City Attorney, 1; Commissioner Ken Russell, 0

Miami City Attorney, 1; Commissioner Ken Russell, 0

Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell lost his first political battle Thursday when he failed to get any support whatsoever on his move to terminate City Attorney Victoria Mendez after she failed to provide all the emails he asked her for about a certain Coconut Grove lot split and development. He didn’t even get a second to his […]

Miami Commissioner wants attorney fired for missing emails

Miami Commissioner wants attorney fired for missing emails

Today’s City of Miami Commission meeting is expected to get heated when Commissioner Ken Russell asks for City Attorney Victoria Mendez to be fired for intentionally withholding documents he requested regarding the rezoning of a fast-tracked residential development in Coconut Grove. And there’s likely to be some push back, specifically from members of the Cuban American […]

Political Cortaditos: This, that and the other thing — en breve

Political Cortaditos: This, that and the other thing — en breve

Sometimes, there’s not enough to report for a full blown story, but the info is too good not to pass on. So, to get you these tiny gems of political intrigue, Ladra introduces you to a new sometimes feature: Political Cortaditos — a collection of briefs, updates and small developments. Fatima Perez dumps Beach for […]

The year of the underdog? Candidates breaking the mold

The year of the underdog? Candidates breaking the mold

The runoffs in Miami and Miami Beach on Tuesday ushered two unknown, first-time candidates to their respective city commission seats against established and well-financed opponents who were front runner favorites. Some political observers are looking at the victories of both Ken Russell in Miami and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez in Miami Beach as yet another sign of […]