The Cortadito Calendar: Political events of the week

The Cortadito Calendar: Political events of the week

This is a new feature that debuts today on Political Cortadito. The Cortadito Calendar: A weekly calendar of political powwows, events with electeds and meaningful or not so meaningful meetings. Now you know what’s going on. You have no excuses. MONDAY — Dec. 5 7 p.m. — The New Administration and Prospects For Peace present New York […]

Juan Zapata’s last meeting items: ‘smart growth’ zoning, ATVs

Juan Zapata’s last meeting items: ‘smart growth’ zoning, ATVs

A zoning amendment that holds down development in suburban West Kendall neighborhoods could be the swan song for Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata at Tuesday’s county commission meeting — his last, unless they don’t get through the agenda and meet again Thursday (but they should).  Zapata, who withdrew his candidacy for re-election after his name was already […]

Ladra’s recommendations are mostly true believers

Ladra’s recommendations are mostly true believers

Everybody knows already that I am voting for Raquel Regalado for mayor of Miami-Dade. I’ve listed my reasons for years, because it’s really a referendum on Carlos Gimenez and the lousy job he has been doing and the climate of pay-to-play politics he has created, all documented here. Just do a search on Carlos Gimenez. […]

Awkward! Annette Taddeo, Joe Garcia face off with polite jabs

Awkward! Annette Taddeo, Joe Garcia face off with polite jabs

You could cut the tension in the room with a knife Tuesday night, when the Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations had their first candidate’s forum and former friends Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo faced off for what could be the first time in this election cycle — or ever. They are so used to working […]

Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment

Chased out: Juan Zapata leaves hostile work environment

Not everybody was shocked by the news Friday that Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Zapata had withdrawn his candidacy and was leaving county government. Zapata — who has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the lack of transparency and the “cost of doing business” at County Hall — has had enough. “For the past four years, it has […]

Joe Martinez email previews negative commission campaign

Joe Martinez email previews negative commission campaign

Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez may have learned something from his last two campaigns: how to go negative. Martinez refused to attack Carlos Gimenez, who he was running for mayor against, with the absentee ballot fraud committed by the Gimenez campaign in 2012. He refused to go negative against any of his primary Republican opponents in […]

New knee for Joe Martinez — and a new PAC, too

New knee for Joe Martinez — and a new PAC, too

Every day now, Ladra hears the same ol’ thing, like an echo: “Joe Martinez is going to file today.” The rumor going around for weeks now is that Martinez, the former Miami-Dade County Commission chairman who lost a mayoral bid in 2012, is going to run against Commissioner Juan Zapata for his old seat. Las […]

Joe Martinez mulls county challenge to Juan Zapata

Joe Martinez mulls county challenge to Juan Zapata

Former Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Joe Martinez may jump into his third race since leaving office to run for mayor unsuccessfully in 2012. And, no, he’s not running for Congress again. Martinez wants his old job back. He is seriously considering a run against Commissioner Juan Zapata for his old District 11 seat. “I have it under […]

Joe Martinez hints at 2016 rematch with Carlos Gimenez

Joe Martinez hints at 2016 rematch with Carlos Gimenez

There might be another candidate declared soon for the Miami-Dade County race for mayor in 2016 — but we’re not talking about Commissioner Xavier Suarez, who says he is still considering the contest. Former Commissioner Joe Martinez, who lost against Gimenez in 2012, must smell the blood in the water and has strongly hinted that he […]

In congressional run, David Rivera is a media genius

In congressional run, David Rivera is a media genius

Former Congressman David “Nine Lives” Rivera is not just a brilliant political mind who has managed to stay ahead of both U.S. prosecutors and the media while remaining Prince Charming among voters. He is also a media genius. Yes, the same Rivera who told The Miami Herald’s Marc Caputo to “email me” 17 times when […]