Tuesday’s election isn’t even over and many political observes,
pundits, junkies, consultants and potential candidates are already sorta looking further into the future — as in November 2016.
Everybody’s talking about who might run against Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos “Cry Wolf” Gimenez, who thinks he’s got it in the bag and really needs to be taught a lesson. And Ladra would not be surprised if there weren’t some benchmark polls being conducted right now disguised as surveys on the governor’s race.
Because there are some good, very viable candidates possibly waiting in the wings. Word is Gimenez is already nervous about a strong contender. Why else would he be polling two years out? And it’s telling that there’s a line forming so early in the cycle. That could be interpreted as weakness on the mayor’s part.
Read related story: Mayor Carlos Gimenez PAC polls twice post recall threat
Former Commission Chairman Joe Martinez said he won’t be one of them. After losing to Gimenez in 2012 and coming in third in the congressional primary in District 26, he told Ladra that he was done with politics. CORRECTION: Martinez, I am told, is not counting it out.
And while Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa was once rumored to covet the title of first female mayor of Miami-Dade, it is doubtful she would run against Gimenez, seeing as how they have the same base.
Onetime mayoral wannabes from the 2011 free-for-all — people like former Mayor JC Bermudez and former State Rep. Marcelo Llorente, who would likely rather keep making the money of an insider — are pretty much out.
Whoever decides to jump into the ring better have a whole lot of money coming at them, seeing as how Not So Golden Boy has shown he can get his hands on $3 million for the race barely batting an eyelash.
Here are the top five talked about names, in no particular order:
Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier “Mayor Sir” Suarez
The former mayor of the city of Miami has long been hinting at 
running for the seat. His name was floated as a possible in the 2012 re-election after both he and the mayor were ushered in on the recall ripples. But he sat it out because he had just become commissioner and wanted to feel that out a little.
Suarez already admitted he is considering it and has met with advisers and people who might support him (read: write checks). He hasn’t met with labor because they have recently still been negotiating with the administration and he didn’t think it was appropriate yet, he told Ladra, but he expects their support if he jumps in.
He says the encouragement is strong to get in and get in now, to preempt anyone else who might be primping for the post, including people on this list. But X won’t be ready to decide for another six months, at the least, he told Ladra.
That decision might also be impacted by whatever happens Nov. 24, after Commissioner Elect Daniella Levine Cava is sworn and a new chairperson is elected among the commissioners. Sure, Suarez would love to be chairman. That would keep him out of the mayor’s race. But it looks like the support is heavily leaning toward Commissioner Jean Monestime, and Suarez could be comfortable with that — especially if he gets the committees he’d like, namely transportation.
“He’s the strong contender in the game and that’s acceptable to me,” Suarez told Ladra.
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