Failed Miami commission candidate Teresa “The Missus” Sarnoff, who gave up
the runoff after she came in a distant second to Commissioner Ken Russell, got a consolation prize Monday when Gov. Rick Scott appointed her to the Florida Transportation Commission.
Some people are calling it payback after Mrs. Sarnoff and her husband, then Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoffs –both Democrats — endorsed Scott in 2014 and raised him a boatload of money for his campaign.
Oh, wait, could that be why she only got a measly 23% of the vote in the clusterbunch for the District 2 seat vacated by her termed-out partner.
Read related story: Mr. and Mrs. Sarnoff give up seat to Ken Russell sans runoff
Now, even though Miamians didn’t want her to, Mrs. Sarnoff and her hubby (by proxy) will have some reign anyway over policy and millions of dollars in transportation dollars.
The Florida Transportation Commission provides “leadership in meeting Florida’s transportation needs through policy guidance on issues of statewide importance” and “maintaining oversight and public accountability for the Department of Transportation and other statutorily specified transportation authorities.”
Now, this real estate agent with zero experience in transportation issues and a husband with a new lobbying firm gets a non-paid position to steer policy (read: dollars) for what could be the most important issue in Florida this decade. Especially in Miami-Dade, where multiple projects — including light rail connecting Miami to Miami Beach — are vying for public funds.
So, basically, Scott is appointing someone who brings nothing to the table and was rejected by voters in her hometown. Yeah, it must be quid pro quo. Because Ladra is certain that there are at least 10 or 12 people who would have made a better choice.
Including some Republicans.
Including, even, Marc Sarnoff.
He must be waiting for a different appointment.
Rejected by voters, Teresa Sarnoff gets payback Tally post added by Ladra on
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