Juan Zapata is first to throw hat into 2020 mayoral free-for-all

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With all the recent speculation about Alex Penelas and/or Carlos Curbelo tossing a wrench into what we thought was a battle between heir apparent Esteban Bovo and Sir Xavier Suarez, the people’s knight, for the open mayoral seat in 2020, the first to throw his hat in the ring was none of the above.

Former Commissioner Juan Zapata — who last gave up the fight for his own re-election in 2016, citing a hostile work environment — filed paperwork on Monday showing he has opened a mayoral campaign account and will run for the top county job.

Read related: Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment

“#ItsTime to get county government truly working for its residents and transform an antiquated government structure that fails to address the present and future needs of our community,” Zapata said in a statement Ladra believes is the key message of his campaign, hence the hashtag, which was repeated in the press release emailed Monday evening.

“As a commissioner, Zapata tirelessly fought to maximize taxpayer resources, increase police presence, protect the unincorporated areas, strengthen the county’s infrastructure, institute innovative policies and advocate for viable transit solutions.

“#ItsTime to bring a true spirit of public service back to county hall and lay out a vision for the future of Miami-Dade County.

“Zapata will focus on keeping our residents safe, protecting our environment, improving mobility, and addressing the inequality and affordability issues that exist in our community. His broad public service experience, along with his reputation as a servant leader, positions him as the best choice for Mayor to bring about responsible prosperity and innovative solutions to Miami-Dade County. #ItsTime.”

His media contact is Bibiana “Bibi” Potestad, the Florida House candidate in district 119 that he supported last year (she lost the Republican primary to Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who is the new state rep now) and who once interned for Zapata when he was the first Colombian elected state rep (2002-2010).

If elected next year, Zapata would be Miami-Dade’s first Colombian-American mayor.

Read related: Juan Zapata’s last meeting items: ‘Smart growth,’ zoning, ATVs

But the field is expected to be fat. Bovo is going to run, and the recent acquisition of Brian Goldmeier by Penelas shows he intends to run for something. Some people have been floating Curbelo’s name, but the former Congressman has a great national TV gig that he could parlay back into national office, if he keeps his pants on long enough for Marco Rubio to retire.

Who else? Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava might actually think she has the chops already, even though she has hardly been the force she promised to be on the commission. But Commissioner Rebeca Sosa has long thought she deserves to be the county’s first female mayor.

Then there’s the recent flurry of urgent activity in tweets and posts and email blasts from Commissioner Joe Martinez‘s office. There’s going to be a detour over here. There’s going to be road construction over there. Cold weather is coming, bundle up, and Happy Holocaust Remembrance Day. But that could just as likely be for a run at the sheriff’s seat created by voters last November.

Ladra also knows for a fact that former Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera is talking to people about it. And a lot of Democrats still want to see former Congressman Joe Garcia there.

Ladra is likely forgetting someone. Whoever it is, other candidates are likely to make much out of a Master’s Degree program at Harvard that he first paid for with county funds before he paid it himself. Zap — an outspoken critic of Mayor Carlos Gimenez already had a target drawn on his back — had originally signed up for a shorter program that the county had previously paid for with other commissioners in the past.

Read related: Juan Zapata to mayor: ‘Where’s the money?’ and ‘Cut taxes’

He decided to get more out of it, but before he could reimburse the county for the difference, someone (read: a Gimenez lackey) had tipped of a reporter and the story had been cast as if Zap had intended to make taxpayers pay for his professional development all along. And it came right at re-election, which is what likely caused him to withdraw.

But that may be all they have. Because Zapata’s wide field of supporters say he has always represented the best interest of the people against the developers, the special interests and the politicians that serve them. Ladra knows him as a bold speaker who isn’t afraid to ask the difficult questions and calls the budget process the shell game that it is. He would likely be a reformer at the county.

Maybe #ItsTime for someone like that to run for mayor after all.

  Carlos Gimenez, Juan Zapata, Mayor’s race 2020, Miami-Dade Mayor