Will he or won’t he? Senate 40 race waits on Jose Felix Diaz

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And we’re off. Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday set the date for a special election to replace disgraced former Sen. Frank Artiles, who resigned hastily last month after he was caught making racial and sexist remarks to black colleagues. The primary will be July 25 with the general election September 26.

Now, if we can only get an answer from State Rep. Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz, the preferred candidate of the Florida Republican Party, even though there is probably nobody in Tallahassee closer to Artiles — maybe because there is nobody in Tallahassee closer to Artiles. Perhaps, since the session ended Monday, he will finally let us know one way or another: Is he going to run for Senate District 40 or what?

Diaz said goodbye to the Florida House in a teary speech Monday and has, apparently, said he is interested in running. That is, if something better doesn’t come along. He is waiting to hear about a post he’s been waiting for at the U.S. Attorney’s office in South Florida. Ladra hears it ain’t gonna happen, that he’s been passed over because he’s never seen the inside of a courtroom. He could, however, be waiting for another Trump administration handout, er, I mean position. Or to run for Florida AG if Pam Bondi makes a move.

Either way, his heart is not entirely in the Florida Senate. District 40 is a consolation prize for Diaz.

Read related story: Two new ‘open’ seats spur political piñata question: 40 or 27?

Meanwhile, he’s got the local GOP practically paralyzed. State Rep. Jeanette Nuñez is happy where she is at and plans to run for the Senate seat now occupied by Anitere Flores, which is an easier win for her and means she doesn’t have to move her young family from their home. Plus, she would be loathe to run against her one-time boss and mentor, former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla (photographed left), the first Republican (#thanksfrank) to make it official but who isn’t really one of the good ol’ boys. It’s quite likely that the GOP is looking for someone else. And no, not former Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata, who isn’t much of a party line guy either. Zap, who represented much of the same district as a state rep, hasn’t returned Ladra’s calls but he’s been running self-promoting ads on Facebook after he said he was interested. Still, we hear he will only run if his friend Diaz doesn’t.

Seems Diaz, who is holding things up, le cai bien a todo el mundo. Well, except maybe former State Rep. Ana Rivas Logan, who he waged a nasty war with in 2012 when they were redrawn into the same district and . He hasn’t gotten into any major controversy or scandal in almost seven years. Everybody says he’s loyal. Is that why the GOP has so much Pepi love? But when you really think about it, he is quite possibly the wrongest candidate for this seat, if only because it would be too much like electing Frank Artiles all over again.

Diaz is Artiles’ BFF and roommate in Tallahassee. They live in what is apparently a frat house with State Reps. Jose Oliva and Manny Diaz, Jr. or Rey Rodrigues. Diaz has been quoted as saying he has cherished the time they’ve spent together in that house. “Some of the most funny and memorable experiences of my legislative career… I wouldn’t change it for anything,” he said.

They have been side by side for seven years. Artiles wants Diaz to succeed him (and should he be allowed to hand pick his replacement?). Who knows Artiles better than Diaz? Let’s pretend for a moment that Pepi didn’t know and accept Artiles as a racist pig, which would mean the racist and sexist remarks to colleauges at an after hours were somehow an isolated incident — and nobody who knows him even a little bit believes that. But let’s pretend that Diaz had a blind spot with his friend’s racism. Was he also blind to the Hooters girl and the Playboy model that served as “consultants”?  Blind to the questionable campaign expenses?

In a scathing Miami Herald story the week he resigned, a reporter found that Artiles had used his campaign account to pay the women $3,500 for their “consulting” services and to fund trips to the Kendtucky Derby and Key West, as ell as $51,000 in reimbursements to himself. Reimbursements for what exactly? Are we to believe Diaz was never around for any of this?

And the same political consultant who refused to tell reporters what those expenses were for, David “The Disgusting” Custin, also works for Diaz (and is pushing Diaz or Nunez so he can get paid).

Everyone is talking about Pepi’s lovely little emotional goodbye speech on the house floor after the session ended Monday, but I live in District 40 and, before I vote, I want to know what Diaz knew when.

Diaz and Artiles are still tight. Artiles last week shared Diaz’s Facebook post about condo association reform. If I were Diaz, I would ask his friend to not help so much. “Dude! Deja de postear about me!”

Read related story: Frank Artiles resigns and an old rival, Juan Zapata, could run

It’s a mutual admiration thing. Diaz has posted tons of pictures of him with Artiles on his social media platforms, where he is extremely active, posting pictures with celebrities, including our celebrity presidnent, Donald Trump, who fired our esteemed state rep from The Apprentice during season 5 in 2006. I’m telling you, he’s a frat boy. Ladra nickamed him the King of Selfies. I mean, what has Diaz done in seven years in the House except take more selfies than any elected should be allowed to? Anyone? Every single bill he sponsored this year died in committee or in calendar even, including his gaming bill, which would have expanded casino and gambling options in South Florida despite the fact that it is not what his constituents want. Who does he work for anyway? Genting?

Late Monday, Artiles posted several links to his Facebook page about his best friend’s farewell speech. “Where’s he going,” someone asked in a comment.

“Running for senate,” Artiles replied.

  Frank Artiles, Jose Felix Diaz, Senate District 40