Judge: Rolando Escalona belongs on Miami ballot for D3 commissioner

• Tweet
• Sumo

• Tweet

Candidate Denise Galvez Turros loses residency challenge

Just in time before the election that ends Tuesday, a court said “nope” last week to the last-ditch attempt to boot Rolando Escalona off the ballot for Miami’s Commission District 3 race — so he can still win this. Or, more likely, get into the runoff with former Commissioner Frank Carollo.

Another candidate, public relations Denise Galvez Turros filed the residency challenge, arguably to force herself onto the runoff ballot, and came up empty. Now, voters get to decide.

After a five-hour hearing Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez ruled that Escalona really lives where he says he lives. Escalona, a restaurant manager and real estate broker running for Miami’s District 3 commission seat, proved he’s a bona fide resident of the district — and not faking an address just to qualify for the ballot.

Read related: Denise Galvez Turros wants judge to kick Rolando Escalona off Miami ballot

Turros, who was once the “Latinas for Trump” co-founder, claimed that Escalona really lived in a duplex in District 4, just outside the boundaries. She had mortgage documents and corporate records, but she couldn’t convince the judge. The judge said Escalona’s lease, voter card, driver’s license, and even Amazon orders sent to the D3 apartment were enough proof that he’s been living there.

Because nothing says “home, sweet home” in Miami like Prime delivery.

Butcho Sanchez believed Escalona, who said he did live in the duplex — until the city commission redrew the districts and cut his duplex out of D3. Then, he moved into the apartment in June of last year — three months before the one-year qualification requirement. Ladra calls it pulling a Gabela — named after District 1 Commissioner Miguel Gabela who had to do the same thing to qualify for his race after his home was drawn out of the district, most likely intentionally.

Read related: Where does Rolando really live? A new case of Miami’s political address dance?

Galvez Turros, who just last week accused Escalona of trying to “deceive the voters,” is now the one eating humble pie after the courtroom flop that stinks of Calvin Klein’s Desperation. She obviously didn’t think she could beat him fair and square. Or maybe she was upset about the text messages that went out informing voters of her DUI in 2010 and credit card theft in 1994. That’s probably why she lost her last bid for office in 2017. There’s also that journalism degree that doesn’t really exist.

But at least those allegations are true.

Escalona, naturally, called the decision “a decisive victory for truth, integrity and the voters of District 3.” He also took the opportunity to swing back at what he called “a politically motivated and orchestrated effort by the same insiders to silence voters and distort the democratic process.

“I have said from the beginning that I am a proud resident of District 3, and today’s decision confirms that fact,” he said in a statement after the ruling. “I have always been honest about where I live and why I’m running.

“While others wasted time and taxpayer dollars on this baseless political stunt, I’ve stayed focused on what really matters — making our neighborhoods safer supporting small businesses, expanding access to affordable housing and improving public transportation so residents can move through our city with dignity and opportunity,” Escalona said.

“This case was meant to distract us from those priorities, but it failed. This election is about values, fairness and the kind of leadership Miami deserves. I’m running to serve the people, not the political establishment, and I’m more determined than ever to deliver for the families, workers and small business owners of District 3.”

Read related: In Miami election, four referendums — and a funeral for common sense

The lawsuit might have been tossed, but the fight for Commissioner Joe Carollo’s old seat is still one of the city’s wildest races. Eight candidates are in the mix — including Carollo’s brother Frank, who had the seat from 2009 to 2017, and five of other wannabes: real estate agent Brenda Betancourt, the president of the Calle 8 Inter-American Chamber of Commerce; Marine veteran Rob Piper, who formed the political action committee that tired to recall Carollo in 2020; U.S. Navy veteran Oscar Alejandro; Code Enforcement Abatement Board member Yvonne Bayona, and City Hall insider Fayez Tanous, who has worked the last four years as an aide to Mayor Francis Suarez. 

All circling the same district like pigeons over a croqueta on Calle Ocho.

Now, the voters of District 3 can decide for themselves on Tuesday who really belongs in that seat — and who’s just trying to move in.

You can support more independent, watchdog government reporting of our local government and campaigns with a contribution to Political Cortadito. Click here. Ladra thanks you for your support.

  Denise Galvez Turros, Rolando Escalona