Daniel Perez beats Jose Mallea to become next state rep in House 116

Daniel Perez beats Jose Mallea to become next state rep in House 116

In the contest for State House District 116, the lesser financed, lesser known, lesser backed candidate not only won, but won with a 10-point spread. And Republican Daniel Anthony Perez, a nobody from nowhere running for his first time, can basically celebrate becoming an elected today because everybody knows that whoever won this primary will […]

Venezuelan leader may join House 116 race for Democrats

Venezuelan leader may join House 116 race for Democrats

A new and practically unknown Democrat has filed in the race for Florida House seat 116, to replace Jose Felix  “Pepi” Diaz, who resigned to run for Senate. But it’s not her first time running for office. Gabriela Mayaudon served in the Venezuelan legislature before moving to South Florida about 10 years ago, said Elezear […]

Cuba engagement photos become issue in GOP 116 primary

Cuba engagement photos become issue in GOP 116 primary

Campaign video attacks candidate for Havana trip Travel to Cuba is often a campaign issue in Miami-Dade races whether they are congressional or state or local. But that it would become fodder in a Republican 305 primary is something new. And that the perceived front runner in the special House 116 race is using it […]

Daisy Baez should resign, not just drop out of other race

Daisy Baez should resign, not just drop out of other race

Legislator admits she doesn’t sleep in District 114 State Rep. Daisy Baez announced Friday that she was dropping out of the Democratic primary to replace former Sen. Frank Artiles in District 40. But, maybe Baez should resign from the legislature altogether. That’s not only because she still lives outside the district — admitting to Ladra on […]

Republicans start lining up for 2018 state primaries, challenges

Republicans start lining up for 2018 state primaries, challenges

A number of Florida House seats in the 305 will be vacated by term-limited legislators next year — and already there are a bunch of wannabes getting in line to replace ’em. David Rivera jumped into the race for District 105 last week, which would pit him against Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez, who filed […]

Dade legislators become state VIPs on House committees

Dade legislators become state VIPs on House committees

Miami-Dade is going to own Tallahassee this year. Half of the leadership positions in the Florida House — the most powerful half — have gone to 305 legislators, giving the Miami-Dade delegation a louder voice in how priorities are sought and funded in the Sunshine State. It starts at the top with State Reps. Jeanette […]

Manny Diaz Jr. is no-show at work — and at debates

Manny Diaz Jr. is no-show at work — and at debates

Is it that State Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr., is afraid to debate a Democrat? Is he afraid to debate a girl? More likely, Diaz — who has never had to debate for his post — is more afraid that he cannot defend his poor record or his no-show job at a non-credited, for-profit university and […]

Zika politics: State House candidate has repellent wristbands

Zika politics: State House candidate has repellent wristbands

The latest turn in the Zika politics trend is a trinket: A citronella repellent wristband that will be distributed at select polls Tuesday by State House 115 Democrat candidate Ross Hancock. “Because who couldn’t foresee long ago that Miami-Dade voters would be exposed to mosquitoes,” Hancock asked. Um, everybody else. Even Mayor Carlos Gimenez, whose […]

Kendall HOA group hosts series of candidate forums

Kendall HOA group hosts series of candidate forums

The Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association will host seven candidate forums between Monday and Tuesday for voters who live in the western part of Miami-Dade. Last week, the group hosted forums for the county commission race in District 11 and the congressional Democratic primary race in District 26. Monday’s series focuses on three state races: […]