State Rep. Eddy Gonzalez has scored the Holy Grail of 305 endorsements 
in his bid for Miami-Dade Property Appraiser — the backing of none other than Sen. Marco Rubio, a one-time VP hopeful.
In what may also be the first time a U.S. Senator stumps for a Property Appraiser candidate, several people told Ladra they had gotten robocalls Rubio’s recorded voice Tuesday, just as the Miami-Dade Elections Department mailed out absentee ballots. The senator told them to vote for Gonzalez, who is the most unqualified candidate for the job, was implicated in the absentee ballot fraud in Hialeah and has violated residency requirements for the past two years while serving in the House in a redrawn district.
Read related story: State Rep. Eddy Gonzalez lives, works outside his district
Oh, no, Marco! Say it ain’t so!
Gonzalez is running against former Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia after the two got the highest number of votes in the August primary. But even though Gonzalez spent twice as much money, he still came in 10 points behind Garcia, who got 35% of the vote.
Rubio’s endorsement, Ladra guesses, is an attempt to close that gap. Rubio has ten times the charisma as “Here Comes Hialeah” — and probably even more countywide appeal.
The robocall rang on Tuesday, the same day the Miami-Dade Elections Department mailed out absentee ballots.
That may be why his endorsement is also pitched in a TV ad that is doing high rotation on Mira TV and in which former candidate Alex Dominguez — who came in number four in a five-man race — also backs Gonzalez.
Read related story: Que paso? Eddy Gonzalez heads into runoff as numero dos
Ladra thought for sure that was one of the signs of the apocalypse. I mean, Dominguez was a big critic of Gonzalez and his AB machinery and he has always 
seemed like one of the good guys.
But he told Ladra he didn’t have an alternative.
“There are only two choices. There’s Eddy and there’s Pedro,” he said Thursday. “And Pedro doesn’t want to make any changes.”
Dominguez said he met with both men and that Gonzalez wants to make the property appraiser’s office independent of the county and admitted that there needed to be more Homestead exemption fraud investigations — which were two of the big items in Dominguez’s platform.
“I don’t want things to stay the same. If I supported Pedro, I would not have run,” said Dominguez, referring to his third race after losing bids for State Rep in 2012 and Miami city commissioner in 2013.
Marco Rubio comes out for Eddy Gonzalez in prop app race added by Ladra on
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Mr. Lopez Cantera, CLC was detrimental to the Property Appraiser’s office. There was no leadership or new level of service. His tenure at the PA office was using taxpayers $$$ to re-design PA 7th floor to a costly bank lobby, not necessary. Trying to again use taxpayers $$ to finance attorney fees to sue the County in his quest to create an independent office. Media blitz about anything he could, like crying about trying to buy cake for the office. Really ?? this is leadership ?of course the entourage of five people he brought with him for the PA office payroll. So much more that went on at the direction of CLC at the PA office. Media do the investigative work and let the taxpayer beware. His time was spent in his selfish pursuits, not in any real interest of the Property Appraisers office. Well it paid off he quickly dumped the PA office to be Lt. Governor, now thats leadership. Taxpayers wake up !
Lost all respect for Senator Rubio. Mr. Gonzalez stated at the Coral Gables Board of Realtors Forum that he had no knowledge, experience not an Appraiser nor a Realtor. Why then run for this post ? He said it was the same when he went to Tallahasee, he relied on others expertise and he was quick learner. ? Would you want a fireman running a hospital ? Rubio, Lopez Cantera, Flores, Zapata, Bovo, etc.. Gonzales..etc. seek where there is one the others follow. What would you call this group of people.? Much more to this than can be seen. Be wise eliminate these special interest groups from all offices that they can get their hands on. Vote for the non-politician qualified, experienced Appraiser Mr. Garcia. Or else ? Special interests group controlling your ptoperty values ??
Eddy Gonzalez will bring the same leadership brought by former Property Appraiser and current Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez Cantera. CLC has brought the Property Appraiser’s office to a new level of service and higher standards. Eddy Gonzalez has my vote!
Pedro Garcia has my vote, Why, 38 years of Experience!!!! A person like Eddy Gonzalez a novice with “No Experience” would be disastrous to property owners in Miami-Dade County.
I agree with Dominguez. As a realtor I can tell you Pedro Garcia was a disaster. Change is sorely needed in the office. A vote for Mr Garcia is a step backwards.
Pedro Garcia is going to win, this position is not about politics.