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DISTRICT 114: Democrat Daisy J. Baez because she is the only one who might have a chance of beating the well-funded and Bush family-backed John Couriel. Daisy came thisclose to beating State Rep. Erik Fresen two years ago.
DISTRICT 115: Democrat Ross Hancock because he is a lifelong environmentalist, another true believer who 
practices what he preaches and seems almost too honest for politics. Gosh darn it. He’s gone the extra mile to learn Spanish — but I mean really good Spanish for a gringo, written and read, too — and those signs! He has the best yard signs Ladra has ever seen. Then there’s the fact that he did better against Fresen in 2012 than Jeffrey Doc Solomon did against Michael Bileca, who the winner would ultimately face in November.
Read related story: In 115 primary, Ross Hancock is best bet against Bileca
DISTRICT 118: Republican David Rivera because he’s better than former Miami-Dade Commissioner Lynda Bell and will be more fun to cover in the next three months. “Nine Lives” Rivera ain’t down for the
count yet and Ladra thinks he has a lot of good years still left in him. He is super buena gente. And, despite multiple attempts and investigations, nobody has ever proven anything against him — which either makes him innocent or brilliant. I’ll take either.
STATE SENATE
DISTRICT 38: Democrat Michael Góngora because I know and trust him. They can say whatever they want, Gongora has been around public service for a while. Even when he isn’t an elected official: In the short time he’s been gone from the Miami Beach Commission, Góngora has established a pro bono service at the law firm where he works. I like Jason Pizzo, too. I do not judge his voting record. Shit happens. But I think, sorta like Andrew Korge, he is trying to buy this election and maybe he would do better putting in the time and running for something else, especially now that he’s established such name rec. May I suggest Miami-Dade State Attorney?
DISTRICT 40: Democrat Ana Rivas Logan because it would really be something, wouldn’t it? To have her beat 
all of Korge’s money and incumbent Sen. Dwight Bullard without even trying too hard would certainly go a long way to giving her some longterm security in that seat. Korge doesn’t deserve the chance. The trust fund baby has acted, well, like a trust fund baby. Entitled. Pouty. Spoiled. Rivas Logan, a former Republican state rep and former Miami-Dade School Board member, is a moderate with enviable name rec and a wide and deep support base that is what the Dems will need to beat State Rep. Frank Artiles, the R on the November ballot.
SCHOOL BOARD
DISTRICT 1: Steve Gallon III because two words: Young blood. Also because he seems to have the support of a lot of community leaders. Who is Ladra to second guess them? And I sorta lean anti-incumbent anyway.
DISTRICT 6: Gus Machado because I don’t think Modesto Abety can survive the attacks on 
his Cuban patriotism in the November general. Not in Little Havana. And with four candidates on the ballot, this race is likely to go into a runoff. And with the Gimenez machinery behind his sister-in-law (grudgingly but inevitably), Mari Tere Rojas will likely be one of those candidates on the November ballot. But this would only provide the Gimenez friends and family plan a new network to profit with, a new public trough. Abety might be better qualified, having chaired the Children’s Trust, while Machado is just a parent. But I think “just a parent” is what we need to replace Regalado, who was just a parent when she first ran for school board after she found it difficult to find a good program for her autistic daughter. Plus, all of Little Havana is aching to vote for a Gus Machado, even though the candidate has nothing to do with the dealership. And again, I think Abety’s baggage is too heavy.
MIAMI-DADE COMMISSION
DISTRICT 7: Xavier L. Suarez because I haven’t the foggiest who Michael Castro is. Sorry, 
dude. Better luck next time. And because, even though X has been kissing the emperor’s ring a bit too much lately (what’s with that $1,000 donation to Mari Tere Rojas from your Imagine PAC?), he’s still one of the brightest minds on the dais. A little too bright maybe? Sometimes? And he has a lot of important projects to finish in Coconut Grove.
DISTRICT 11: Felix M. Lorenzo because former Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez is going to be insoportable when he is elected. Yes, when. I do think Martinez — who is also judgmental, self-righteous and petty — is headed back to the dais. Asi que preparense. It doesn’t even look like Lorenzo is campaigning. He’s raised a measly $2,100 compared to the Martinez $156,000 campaign bank. But if I lived in District 11, I’d vote for Lorenzo, even if just as a protest.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Solar Devices Exemption: Yes. Duh. Because it seems ridiculous to punish people who want to use solar power by taxing them more for the panels and any equipment they use to produce electricity. Shocking! Please vote yes and stick it to Big Power.
Well, that does it. Perhaps I surprised some of you. I know I didn’t surprise a lot of you. But however you vote, just make sure to vote. August election turnout is abysmal. Do your part to improve it.
And then see you in November.
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