Julio “The Good One” Robaina backs biz partner in House bid

The second fundraiser for the open state House seat vacated by Erik Fresen after next year happened last week in the private office of a sitting county commissioner and former mayor of South Miami.

Jose Pazos had his campaign kick off at his office building, home to the business he shares with his partner, former South Miami Mayor Julio Robaina. It used to be a three-way, with Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata, but Zap is no longer a partner. On paper, anyway. He still works there. He took himself off as a principal of the company months ago. Ladra assumes that Zap, who likes to rock the boat with logical budget questions about county government operations that could have a chilling effect on Pazos’ fundraising efforts, didn’t want to hurt his pal.

And he wasn’t at the party last week. Probably in class in Boston.

Both Robaina and Zapata were once state reps. Pazos must have heard some good stories because now he wants to be one.

Hopefully, he got some contributions from the mostly friends and family event because the open seat has attracted a few candidates, including John Couriel, who already has collected close to $50,000, as of the end of August. But he had amassed $260,000 in 2012 when he ran unsuccessfully against Gwen Margolis, losing 62% to 38%. He is likely to raise as much again with the help of several Republican legislators. Pazos would be the anti-establishment choice.

Couriel had a Jebby Bush hosted kick-off in August at the hip Bulla in downtown Coral Gables.

There are also two Democrats announced: Ross Hancock and Alberto Santana. But Ladra predicts that Daisy Baez, will join them. Baez who nearly beat Fresen in 2014, can’t let all that name recognition go to waste in what everyone thinks is a blue banner year.

This will be one of those seats the Democrats hope to win in 2016 so Ladra expects it will start getting more attention very soon.

Julio “The Good One” Robaina backs biz partner in House bid added by Ladra on October 1, 2015
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