Vicki Lopez campaign quietly removes Phil Levine from host committee list

Could it be because of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein?

There are campaign mistakes. And then there are campaign mistakes where you accidentally remind voters that one of your listed supporters was friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Welcome to the latest installment of Miami Beach political damage control.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Vicki Lopez — the former state representative appointed to the county commission seat and now facing voters in her district for the first time this August — posted a flashy campaign kickoff invitation on Instagram this week featuring an absolutely stacked hosting committee of Miami Beach royalty, donors, insiders and elected officials.

Current commissioners. Former commissioners. Mayors past and present. Practically everybody short of the guy selling cafecito outside City Hall.

It is basically the political version of a South Beach reunion special.

But there was one name on the original Instagram flyer that suddenly stood out a little more than the others: Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.

Yes. That Philip Levine.

The same Philip Levine whose carefully cultivated image as the rich-guy reform mayor recently took a catastrophic detour through newly released Jeffrey Epstein records, old emails and congressional testimony allegations of sexual assault that have turned him from “abrasive billionaire ex-mayor” into “why is this person anywhere near my campaign flyer?”

For years, Levine was already known in Miami Beach circles as a bully with the interpersonal warmth of a parking ticket. Even many allies privately described him as arrogant, controlling and obsessed with self-promotion. But all of that was manageable in politics because Miami voters often confuse “jerk” with “strong leader.”

Ladra loves that he once called her a “political assassin.” Like a Dexter for bad electeds. Someone call Netflix.

Then came the Epstein revelations, including the ugly accusations that he sexually assaulted Epstein’s assistant. From the assistant’s own testimony.

Suddenly those old stories about Levine’s ego and behavior started getting reexamined under a much uglier spotlight after documents reportedly showed a far closer relationship between Levine and the convicted sex offender than Levine had publicly acknowledged for years.

Emails. Friendly exchanges. References to Epstein as “my friend.” Communications after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

And just like that, the former mayor became radioactive enough that political consultants probably start sweating whenever his name appears in print.

Which brings us back to Lopez’s Instagram post. Because somewhere between the first flyer and the second flyer, somebody in the campaign apparently experienced what medical professionals call “a terrible realization.”

The original post quietly disappeared. Then a revised version appeared. Without Levine’s name.

Oopsies.

Now, to be fair, campaigns update host committees all the time. Names get added. Names get removed. People back out. Scheduling conflicts happen. Maybe Levine suddenly remembered he had to wash his yacht that night.

But let’s not insult each other’s intelligence here. Nobody believes this was random. This was political triage.

Somebody looked at that flyer, imagined the inevitable screenshots circulating online next to the words “Jeffrey Epstein associate,” and decided it might be best if Commissioner Lopez’s first countywide campaign kickoff did not double as an accidental rehabilitation tour for Philip Levine.

Especially because Lopez does not need this headache.

She’s already entering a complicated race as an appointed incumbent trying to establish her own independent political identity while navigating Miami Beach’s famously volatile donor ecosystem. The last thing her campaign needs is a side conversation about why an Epstein-adjacent ex-mayor is helping headline her kickoff committee.

And frankly, this is how toxic Levine’s name has become politically. A few years ago, campaigns would have proudly highlighted his support because Levine still carried wealthy donor influence and establishment clout.

Now? Campaigns appear to be quietly deleting him like an embarrassing old Facebook photo.

The funniest part is that this entire episode perfectly captures modern Miami politics: Nobody objects publicly. Someone just quietly edits the graphic at 11:47 p.m.

Because in Miami, loyalty lasts exactly until the screenshots start circulating.

This kind of independent, government watchdog reporting is crucial to transparency and democracy. And more so every day. Help shine a light on the darker corners of our community with a contribution to Political Cortadito. Click here. Ladra thanks you for your support.

Vicki Lopez campaign quietly removes Phil Levine from host committee list added by Ladra on May 25, 2026
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