Doral: JC Bermudez vs Sandra Ruiz battle goes to ballot

Doral: JC Bermudez vs Sandra Ruiz battle goes to ballot
  • Sumo

Finally, one of the infamous rivalries in Doral is going to election2016battle on the ballot: Former mayor J.C. Bermudez and Councilwoman Sandra Ruiz both want to be the mayor.

Bermudez announced last month — though he has been rumored to be mulling it over since a poll showed him blowing Boria out of the water last year. Ruiz, who is termed out, jumped in Thursday morning — like Ladra knew she would. She couldn’t let this opportunity get away.

“I’m ready. I have this side of me that says ‘Enough is enough,'” said Ruiz, who is termed out anyway. “There are some things I’ve been wanting to do. I’ve been asking a long time.”

But her hands are tied by the administration and Mayor Luigi Boria.

“I have a different vision for the city,” said Ruiz, who supported Councilman Pete Cabrera‘s run for mayor against Boria in 2012.

Read related story: Doral inquiry — a political, preemptive strike against JC Bermudez?

While Doral is not a strong mayor form of government, which means council members have the same vote, the mayor does set the agenda, leads the meetings and acts as chief administrator at City Hall.

“Whoever says it is the same thing has never beendoralmayorsrace elected and walked in the heels of a council member,” said Ruiz, who admitted to getting a little blow back already.

“Forget the fact of who is in it now. The seat itself is so important. You represent the city. You are able to go to other governmental agencies and represent Doral,” she said, in a sideways dig to Boria, whose accented English and brash style are legend among 305 electeds.

“The current mayor hasn’t transferred any of those responsibilities to me, knowing well that I have 14 years plus of experience,” Ruiz told Ladra. “I don’t think my experience has been put to the utmost use.”

Boria is also running for re-election, but Ladra thinks this has already become a two man, er, I mean two person race. This is a longtime rivalry from when they served on the dais together. Ruiz, remember, led the charge to change the name of JC Bermudez Park to Doral Central Park.

JC Bermudez and Sandra Ruiz served on the dais together in 2009
JC Bermudez and Sandra Ruiz served on the dais together in 2009

Bermudez vs Ruiz is just such a natural conflict. Like Pepsi vs. Coke, the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Redskins or the Yankees vs. the Mets, Marvel vs. DC, Burger King vs. McDonald’s. Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry, good vs. evil.

Ruiz casts herself as Perry. “I always seem to be the underdog,” she said, though she has won every council seat she has sought. She only lost one election, for State House in 2010 and lost to Republican Jeanette Nunez (32 to 63 percent).

Maybe that is why the “excited” announcement of Ruiz’s run came from the Miami-Dade Democratic Party?

“One of our top priorities at the local party is electing Democratic leaders to local office and we are excited that Councilwoman Ruiz is stepping up to run for Mayor of Doral,” said Democratic Party Chair Senator Dwight Bullard, who has drawn Rep. Frank Artiles as a challenger to his re-election.

Read related story: David Rivera is baaaack — to his roots in State House race

“She is a true public servant and she has the party’s full support,” Bullard said.

In recent years, the Miami-Dade Democratic Party has focused on local elections in an effort to build the woeful bench it has and promote progressive local policy. They take at least partial credit for the 2014 victories of Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava and South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard and for the 2013 wins by Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter and Miami Beach Commissioner Micky Steinberg.

And this year, Dade Dems are working with the state party’s new “Municipal Victory Project” to elect Democrats to local offices all over Florida.

“Although these races are nonpartisan, the candidates are not. We are already identifying key local races in 2017 and 2018 where we want to make an impact,” said Miami-Dade Democratic Party Executive Director Juan Cuba.

The statement called Ruiz a “longtime Democratic leader” and noted that she was a founding member of the city and the first woman elected to the council. “She is a small business owner, a community leader, and an outspoken champion for the rights and needs of the residents,” it said.

Democrats hold a slight edge in Doral. Not because they outnumber Republicans by a little (with 29.6% registered Democrats to 24.3% registered Republicans) but because the independents or NPAs, who outnumber both, tend to vote Democratic. Especially in presidential elections.

While Obama won Doral easily in 2008 and 2012, the big question is how will Donald Trump’s presumptive trumpboriakeynomination affect the turnout? After all, he is a business force to be reckoned with in Doral.

At the very least, Ruiz expects Boria and Bermudez to behave better than the presidential hopeful whose resort is in Doral and who has a key to the city.

“I’m hoping the two men are professional in how they handle the race. I know I will be.”

Somehow, Ladra doesn’t think this will be the example of a civil political contest.

11 Responses to "Doral: JC Bermudez vs Sandra Ruiz battle goes to ballot"

  1. Please, please Sandrita go away!!! You, Boria, Pete the Cheat, and useless Fraga need to go! Mayor Bermudez is not perfect, but he was great Mayor and he, along with Claudia and Councilwoman Ana-Maria Rodriguez, will make Doral shine! Bermudez is the only that can control Pete the Cheat for the next 2 years and stop all these crazy lawsuits he has brought on to the city. Can’t wait for change in 2016!
    And for the record, as a registered Democrat all my life, I’m embarrassed that the party had decided to endorse this woman. May just become an independent.

  2. It sounds like candidate J.C. “Sponge Bob Square Pants” Bermudez has it all figured out.

  3. Yes…her vision is to bring in 15,000 Syrians to occupy the available THOUSANDS of Section 8 homes within Doral – homes that have just recently been approved so that they can vote in our elections….WITHOUT BEING CITIZENS.

    and thus….bypassing AMERICAN CITIZENS who are living in the gutters, or veterans….ditto.

    To know that for 16 years I have been closely aligned with what has occurred in Doral…and having been privy to quite a bit of information from Sandra Ruiz herself and observing the collusion of Southern Command Military Compound, Loretta Lynch and Doral Police (to which they personally came to my house on December 3, 2015 to issue a Trespass Notice because I DARED sing the “Star Spangled Banner” during public comments…

    This was the second one received after the November 2015 trespass notice when I advised DorAliens of the frenzy to provide housing for these incoming “NON-VETTED” rapefugees.

    But it seems DorAliens are quite content in permitting tuberculosis ridden, vermin infested, taharrushing young men to live amongst us so that they can teach a few cuban girls what “real men” are like…. in particular when they throw Battery Acid at their faces for exposing their elbows in class…

    The shyte is going to hit the fan in Doral and all(ah) those who are “conveniently” ignoring the facts of the City of Doral being transformed into an enclave for the Muslim Brotherhood, will have “sum ‘splaining to do…”

    Check out Harvey Molotoch’s “Cities as a Growth Machine” – it is the blueprint as is being used to transform Doral.

    And just as a caboose: The New Lady Guadalupe Church on 11691 NW 25 Street….a Mosque in disguise…ready to be converted as soon as they get the “go ahead” by Loretta Lynch….

    she didn’t stop by our quaint little town for her health you know….and with Pastors of the Faith Based Advisory Board S.A.L.I.V.A.T.I.N.G. at the thought of processing EACH refugee for $10,000 and then having NO further responsibility with them…

    Well…let the REAL “Hunger Games” begin…

    and I….just keep rolling up my sleeves again and again….because jail time is in the eyes of everyone of these taqiyya forked tongued elected garden gnomes in Doral.

    Wanna know more? Hey….I fully doubt you do…for the truth is something very few people in Miami are interested in…

    But I AM….

  4. You really need to get your facts straight LADRA. Sandra Ruiz is NOT term limited… she has the ability to run for a second term (2016-2020) but has chosen not to pursue this avenue as she probably believes that by running for Mayor, she can clinch the ultimate prize by riding the “D’s” coattails this election cycle. Also, note that Sandra Ruiz ran for State Representative in 2010 and LOST to now State Rep. Jeanette Nunez. She really didn’t have any options after that but to return to her old job on the City Council…I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. As to her comment about “handling herself” during the race, watch out Bermudez and Boria, Ms. Ruiz plays dirty and will hit below the belt outside the arena, she does not play fair…

  5. Hello Dean, or should I say Mr. Pete Cabrera!

    Your comment is way off, the only disrespectful asshole to women is you! Mr. Bermudez has been with his wife for more then 25 years and she is not one to put up with no crap or allow to be disrespected by men! You on the other hand have been sued for sexual harassment several times, if you remember, Barbara Herrera and Christina Baguer. You are also well known for your mistreatment of your former wives. Before you come here and trash anyone with your lies, look into the mirror, the truth will set you FREE!!!!!!

  6. Bermudez is a man with a short fuse and disrespectful to women, including his wife. He has been seen belittling her in public and he has proven that he cares very little about people in general. All he’s doing is trying to fed his famished ego

  7. Excuse me….. Excuse me…..I have to say, Bermudez and his slate son unos problematicos. Empesando por Claudia Mariaca who is Bermudez Lapdog y Bermudez tira la Piedra y esconde la Mano. Get a job and stop milking the government cow.

  8. As a long time resident of Doral; under the current administration the condo kings and associates /(Boria) for the last 4 years has created a traffic nightmare among Many other issues. This Mayor is embarrassing inept and Doral
    has receded on the quality of life. As to Ms.Ruiz her temper & past documented violent actions are legendary.
    I would send her back to her native Tijuana, for a course in Anger Management and to take Mayor Boria along with a one-way ticket. Good riddance!!!

  9. Bermudez was a great mayor. Didn’t appreciate him until he left. Borgia is a disaster and embarrassment and Ruiz has been more than happy to go along with the circus. Bye-bye to both.

  10. I’m behind Mr Bermudez all the way. The current Mayor is an opportunist and Sandra has supported many of his initiatives even though they fight like cats and dogs. The current council has sold out the city for 4 years now. Let’s bring back the guy that had it working right from the beginning.

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