Decisions, decisions. It’s not easy for termed-out politicians to choose the best next step.
Take, for example, the case of State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera (Rep., District 112), who is termed out this year and has not filed for any other elected office — yet.
The House Majority Leader basically admitted to Ladra Sunday that he was waiting to see if Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez makes good on threats to run for mayor before he decides his next move. If Suarez, who was elected last year after Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez vacated the commission district 7 seat, decides to go for it, Lopez-Cantera — who helped the former Miami Mayor get elected — will likely run for that seat. He agreed with Ladra that it was the most natural progression for his career.
But he’s also got his eye on the property appraiser’s seat, which he says would put him in a place near and dear to his heart. “I do have a history and it is the is
sue that is very close to me,” said Lopez-Cantera, who was appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush to the property tax reform committee. He has championed legislation to make the position an elected office and reduce the burden on property owners who challenge an appraiser’s value presumption.
Lopez-Cantera and U.S. Congressman David Rivera (Rep., District 25) joked with Ladra at Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen‘s kick-off Sunday at the Rusty Pelican and suggested a Political Cortadito poll among her readers to help him decide, but I actually thought it was one of David’s cleverest ideas ever. Except I’m going to widen Carlitos’ horizon, so to speak, and include a couple of offices he may not have given thought to. So, here is a multiple choice survey that let’s you, dear reader and voter, tell Lopez-Cantera where to go (haven’t you always dreamt about that?).
For his next elected office, State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera should run for:
(A) Miami-Dade Commissioner
(B) Miami-Dade Property Appraiser
(C) Coral Gables Mayor
(D) Miami-Dade Mayor
(E) Senator in the as-of-yet newly-created “Hispanic” district
(F) for his life and get out of politics altogether
The governor’s office was not included because it’s among the few not on the ballot this year and the clock is a-ticking.
Now, be realistic and don’t waste your vote on choice F because Lopez-Cantera basically has to run for something. What else is he gonna do? I mean, besides finance campaigns against his enemies (more on that later).
Results to be published tomorrow.
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Where ever he runs, his constituents would would be well served!
I’d like to see him run for the County Commission!
Carlos is a good man and would do well in any post. As a resident of District 7, I would welcome him as my county commissioner. I think he would also do great as the property appraisor. Not quite sure the County Mayor’s seat would be viable, although he would be a formidable opponent to anyone.
If applicable, however, there is one seat that Rep. Rivera did not mention, and that is his own seat. Congressman Lopez-Cantera, (R-Fl 25). Has a nice, clean ring to it.
I think he has a shot in the Gables mayoral race, I can see him in that one.