Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job

Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job
  • Sumo

Two city commissioners will face challenges in May election

Without a challenger, former Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz became mayor of Sweetwater again last week — and secured his third retirement check on the public trough.

Qualifying ended Friday and Diaz, mayor there from 1999 to 2003, was the only one who wanted to lead the city of almost 20,000 people.

“I’m honored to have been elected without opposition as the Mayor-Elect of my hometown,” Diaz posted on Twitter Friday after qualifying ended. “I’ve had the privilege of not only living in Sweetwater for over 50 years, but also serving the city and our county for more than 31 years continuously as an elected official,” wrote Diaz, who raised at least $119,000 just in February, according to his campaign finance report, and now has to return it or give it to charity. He can keep the $22K he raised for his political action committee.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of this beautiful city and begin to work on the issues that affect our everyday life. Improving our city’s public safety, transportation, financial stability, parks, resurfacing & beautifying our streets are some of my priorities,” Diaz wrote.

Read related: Jose “Pepe” Diaz launches his campaign to return to mayor’s seat in Sweetwater

“None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and all the residents of Sweetwater. Thank you for this honor!”

Commission President Saul Diaz was also reelected unopposed in Group 6.

Commissioners Isidro Ruiz and Reynaldo Rey each have a challenge in the May election.

In Group 5, Commissioner Isidro Ruiz has been challenged by Jose Guerra, who resigned from the city’s planning and zoning board just four days before qualifying. A registered Republican, Guerra, 65, is a driver for Conviva Care Centers and has a valid concealed weapons permit.

The city’s website indicates that Commissioner Isolina Maroño was originally going to run in Group 5, but apparently thought it over and decided not to.

Read related: Jose Pepe Diaz to turn to city of Sweetwater to prolong political power

Commissioner Reynaldo Rey in Group 7 is being challenged by Rolando Mendez, a CT scan supervisor at Jackson Health Systems, according to his qualifying papers. Mendez, 54, is registered NPA and has a valid concealed weapons license.

Is there something about Sweetwater that people feel the need to carry?

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Sweetwater is more than 95% Hispanic and only .8% black. The median household income is around $46,224. The median age is 41.9 years old.

And 13.7% of families live at or below the poverty level.

9 Responses to "Jose “Pepe” Diaz gets no challenge, just steps into mayor of Sweetwater job"

  1. Puro Cosa Nostra and the smartest of the bunch as far as lining his pocket , completely owned by developers , etc while looking ” professional ” by appearing at news events and avoiding the drama the rest of the Cosa Nostra live for .

    Granted other then his DUI arrest .

    I think people do not run against these Miami Cosa Nostra career politicos as seems to be a lost cause here .

    =============

    ” The first thing he needs to do is clean out the Police Department that is basically invisible. You don’t see a police officer inside the community. They all hang out drinking coffee ”

    Great point and I find Miami police not just Sweetwater the most texting addicted police dept in Florida .

    Some are fantastic but plenty can not stop texting , genuinely addicted . .

    I work at night and the joke at work is if there is ever an emergency a few of us take off running to a nearby area behind a building where after 11 pm to about 5 am countless police vehicles are there texting and gossiping the entire shift .

    Granted they do respond to emergency calls but actual patrolling is another story for countless .

    Sadly I will admit that if I was a Miami cop I would be in jail due to drunk drivers alone with a sense of entitlement which is through the roof in Miami .
    I would lose my temper , in a momentary lapse of judgement wind up in jail , so I realize a tough tough job .

    Pepe will bring in his own people but do not look for him to clean anything up .

    ====================

    ” resurfacing & beautifying our streets are some of my priorities,” Diaz wrote.”

    If anyone has read my older posts ( probably better off not reading my posts ) I have emailed EVERY Mayor and Commissioner on the dividing street lines whether white or yellow dangerously faded or just one .

    I did this with Mayor Gimenez and it was a run around and also emailed Mayor Cava and no reply at all.

    ALL the local Mayors told me to contact Gimenez , later Cava .

    Polite emails with pictures stating how dangerous this is .

    Yes I realize people laugh at me and they should , lol.

    Try having Larry’s personality since late twenties , not easy in Miami , lol .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_bEwfZM-M

  2. As a resident his the perfect person for the job. We need a change inside the different departments within the city so he will cut heads. Start with the PD. I never see a police car in my block. He will make it happen. The public works is a disaster. Citizens are ready to bring in a mover and shaker. His arrest means nothing to me. Fight crime and clean my streets.

  3. Again? Aren’t there young and upcoming qualified idividuals in that city to run for mayor?
    Dade County sad state of mind:(

  4. Great, now fix public works and the Police Department. Both need complete changes from the top on down.

  5. May GOD save SweetWater from The “DUI Discriminator “They Face ? Let The Corruptiion Continue ! Let’s SEE how Many GUATAKAS will Congratulate ?

  6. The first thing he needs to do is clean out the Police Department that is basically invisible. You don’t see a police officer inside the community. They all hang out drinking coffee. Pepe clean house.

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