August 18th is Miami-Dade County’s primary election, with early voting beginning this Monday, August 3rd. So who is on the ballot for residents of Downtown Miami?
It depends. Some of the races are county-wide; Miami-Dade’s Mayor and Property Appraiser, for instance. In other races, since Florida is a closed primary election state, this means that while I am in U.S. House District 27, the run-off for November’s Republican candidate will appear only on the ballots of registered Republicans. And while Miami-Dade County School Board District 3 includes most of the Brickell Financial District and the historic Central Business District, other areas in the City of Miami may be in District 2. This article will reflect my thoughts on only those non-judicial races/candidates appearing on my ballot: School Board District 3, County Commission District 5, County Mayor, County Property Appraiser, and the State Attorney for Miami-Dade. Next week, I will talk about the judges.
My thoughts & picks
For State Attorney: Melba V. Pearson
Melba V. Pearson is running against incumbent Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
Rundle has Miami-Dade’s State Attorney since 1993. She has been endorsed by the Miami Herald “with reservations”; but was called upon by the Miami-Dade Democratic Part to “step aside”. Rundle is generally considered to be good at her job (she has been re-elected six times, after all), but she faces a lot of criticism over “her failure to prosecute killer cops“. Rundle has also been endorsed by the conservative United Christians of Florida, which is not a bonus in my book.
Melba Pearson, on the other hand, I like more the more I learn about her. She was a county prosecutor for 16 years before becoming the deputy director of the ACLU Florida. To me, that indicates she is experienced with both sides of the picture: law enforcement and civil rights. Pearson has served as President of the National Black Prosecutors Association, and she advocates for the abolition of cash bail and criminal justice reform. Melba Pearson has been recommended &/or endorsed by: the Blue Wave Coalition, Florida NOW PAC, Emgage Action, Miami-Dade LGBTA Democrats, 644 Democrats, and Michael Froomkin at Discourse.net. And while it has nothing to do with her abilities in the office she is seeking, I love that she is married to a white, Republican “cowboy”. Her clear ability to be open, inclusive, and able to navigate across political and racial lines is why I strongly recommend Melba V. Pearson for Miami-Dade State Attorney.
For County Commissioner, District 5: Eileen Higgins
Even though there are two other candidates challenging incumbent Eileen Higgins for her seat, this was the easiest choice for me. I’ve known and adored Higgins long before she was elected to her county commissioner seat in 2018. I kept running into this energetic petite blond woman speaking fluent Spanish at neighborhood meetings, local events and (my favorite) on City of Miami trolleys. Higgins shares my passion for quality of life issues of Miami’s urban & suburban residents and for our environment.
Commissioner Higgins has fought for resiliency in the face of a changing environment, common sense gun reforms to keep us safe, and programs that afford everyone an equal shot at the American Dream. From more reliable transportation to sea level rise, from affordable housing to better paying jobs, she is a champion for the policies that help everyone in our community succeed.
Miami-Dade Democratic Party
Eileen Higgins has been endorsed by the Sierra Club Florida Chapter Miami Group, Miami Herald, Miami-Dade Democratic Party, SEIU Florida, United Teachers of Dade, AFSCME Florida, New Florida Majority, SAVE, and Equality Florida; and she has my enthusiastic support as well.
Even if Eileen were not such a strong candidate, I do not like either of the other candidates running for the District 5 seat. Both Renier Diaz de la Portilla and Miguel C. Soliman were co-endorsed by the right-wing conservative group, Christian Family Coalition Florida. According to their ratings, both men support defunding Planned Parenthood and *counseling* (i.e. conversion therapy) for LGBTQ minors. I also didn’t appreciate their dirty smear campaigns, complete with altered photos of their rivals. Neither candidate has earned my respect, much less my vote.
For Miami-Dade County Mayor: Daniella Levine Cava
The county Mayor’s race is a crowded one, with Esteban Bovo, Ludmilla Domond, Daniella Levine Cava, Monique Nicole Barley, Alexander “Alex” Penelas, and Xavier L. Suarez all vying for the seat.
Two of the candidates – Esteban Bovo and Ludmilla Domond – were easy for me to eliminate. Both indicated to the Christian Family Coalition Florida that they support conversion therapy for LBGTQ minors, defunding of Planned Parenthood, and religious prayers at government functions.
I like Monique Nicole Barley’s enthusiasm and most of her positions – especially regarding affordable & workforce housing and public transportation. I do not, however, think she has the experience to govern a county the size of Miami-Dade; especially as her first public office.
Xavier L. Suarez has been involve in Miami politics for as long as I can remember, starting in 1985 when he was elected City of Miami Mayor to his most recent position on the Miami-Dade County Commission for District 7. Throughout his career, he has earned mostly high marks, and he supports a lot of positions important to me including affordable/workforce housing, funding for public transit, and addressing climate change and climate gentrification. I also like his son, the current City of Miami Mayor, Frances Suarez. I was very disappointed to learn that, according to Christian Family Coalition Florida, he supports the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
Alexander “Alex” Penelas is making a come-back after 15 years in the private sector. If the ticket wasn’t so crowded, I’d be taking a serious look at him in spite of his rocky past. Amy Matinez’ article for Florida Trend gives a good synopsis of his rise and fall and (perhaps) rise again.
Daniella Levine Cava is enjoying a huge number of endorsements that matter to me, including from the Sierra Club Florida Chapter Miami Group, SAVE, Equality Florida, 644 Democrats, the Miami Herald, New Florida Majority, Emgage Action (co-endorsement), The Blue Wave Coalition of Miami-Dade, SEIU Florida, Planned Parenthood, New Florida Majority, and Michael Froomkin at Discourse.net. She is an an attorney and social worker, and is the current County Commissioner for District 8. Cava is the founder of Catalyst Miami and is a strong supporter of environmental causes and social justice. Overall, Daniella Levine Cava checks the most boxes for me, so I will be checking the box for her.
For Property Board Appraiser: Marisol Zenteno
Marisol Zenteno is running against incumbent Pedro J. Garcia for the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s top seat. Zenteno is currently an employee of the county appraiser’s office, so she knows the demands of the job well. Zenteno previously held positions at chair of Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights, past president of the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade, past president, and member of American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). Zenteno has been endorsed the Miami Herald, Blue Wave Coalition of Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Democratic Party, 644 Democrats, AFSCME Florida, and Michael Froomkin at Discourse.net.
I know Pedro Garcia, and like him. I think he has done a good job as our county’s property appraiser since 2008 when he was elected. But I also think it is time for the appraiser’s office to modernize, and I think Marisol Zenteno is the woman for that job.
For School Board District 3: Lucia Baez-Geller
In another crowded field, we have five candidates running for the school board’s District 3 alone. To make matters more difficult, they agree on many important issues.
“They emphasized safety should schools reopen during the pandemic, and focused on the importance of mental health and the access and inclusion of Black students in advanced classes. All also supported an anti-racism curriculum and think highly of Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.”
Miami Herald
The Miami Herald article has excellent summaries of each these (& the other 12) candidates running for Miami-Dade County School Board seats: Raquel Bild-Libbin, Marcela Gomez-Bogomolni, Joshua Levy, Russ Rywell. and Lucia Baez-Geller.
After that article and others, Lucia Baez-Geller got my vote on the strength background in the field of education, and the variety of her endorsers.
Baez-Geller has worked for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2005, and has been endorsed by the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, SAVE and Emgage Action, among others.
“For over 15 years, Lucia Baez-Geller has dedicated her life to education She was awarded the title of 2013 Political Advocate of the Year by the National Education Association. Lucia has worked with United Teachers of Dade, Florida Education Association, the National Education Association, Educational Excellence School Advisory Council, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Media Ambassador for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and served as the Education Chair with the League of Women Voters.”
Baez-Geller Campaign Announcement, August 1, 2019
So there you have it. I did a lot of research in deciding who earned my vote, and I have included most of those sources below. Please feel free to comment (politely). But whether you agree with my choices or not, I do hope you agree the best way to celebrate and keep our democratic republic is to vote!
My Sources (& anti-sources)
- Miami-Dade County Primary Sample Ballot
- Miami-Dade Democratic Party
- Florida NOW PAC
- New Florida Majority
- Sierra Club Florida Chapter Miami Group Endorsements
- SAVE Action PAC 2020 Pro-Equality Candidates
- Equality Florida
- Florida Bar Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statements
- Dade County Bar 2020 Judicial Poll
- League of Prosecutors Florida
- Daily Business Review: 2020 South Florida Elections: Use this Voter Guide to Learn More About Candidates Running for Judge
- Florida Bar County Judge Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statements
- AFSCME Florida 2020 Election Endorsements
- SEIU Florida Endorsements
- United Teachers of Dade (UTD)
- Emgage Action Recommended Candidates Miami-Dade
- 644 Democrats August 18 Election Guide
- Discourse.net: Miami-Dade Primary Day Ballot Recommendations 2020, Part II (Judges)
- The Miami Herald: Four races, 17 candidates. Who is running for Miami-Dade County School Board?
- The Miami Herald: Once without a home, Monique Barley running for county mayor to push opportunities
- The Miami Herald (paywall)
- Florida Trend: Former Florida Democratic star Alex Penelas makes a comeback
- VoteRecords.com
- Miami-Dade County Voter Guide (United Christians of Florida)
- Florida Family Action Judicial Endorsements
- Christian Family Coalition Florida Miami-Dade Voter Guide
As a Newbie, I am continuously exploring online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
As a Newbie, I am permanently exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me just as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I actually believed you would have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention. Bridget Stu Stefanie
2. Helps enhance your rankings on search engines. Tootsie Padraic Marcie
Well I really enjoyed reading it. This article offered by you is very helpful for good planning. Dionne Dav Christye
You can achieve this by writing attention-grabbing headings and using bold fonts to set off your keywords. Irina Kendall Votaw
You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who
aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
You are so awesome! I do not think I have read through anything like that before. So nice to discover somebody with unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality. Arleen Ford Montagna
Hi! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I had to ask. Judy Philbert Sathrum
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes that will make the greatest changes. Many thanks for sharing! Stafani Gar Yulma
Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you be acquainted with after that you can write
otherwise it is complicated to write.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this weblog; this website consists
of awesome and in fact good information in support
of readers.
Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I
am inspired! Extremely useful information particularly the last section :
) I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this info. Wynne Kane Narton
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes that will make the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing! Neile Richy Millham
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this amazing site needs
much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the info!
You completed certain good points there. I did a search on the topic and found the majority of folks will agree with your blog. Kandace Chick Lois
You are also part of an amazing community every other long distance sailor is your friend. Eachelle Verge Kucik
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff prior to and you’re simply too fantastic.
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the best way by which you say it.
You are making it entertaining and you still take care
of to stay it sensible. I cant wait to learn far more from you.
This is really a wonderful web site.
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout
out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects?
Thanks for your time!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the website is really good. Cortney Saundra Ries
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my younger sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going to tell her. Melosa Rance Cloutman
Great article. I am dealing with some of these issues as well.. Delora Andris Galven
Only wanna state that this is very beneficial , Thanks for taking your time to write this. Margaretta Sutherlan Darlene
This will cause you to experience the most traffic to you in the long run. Susan Merell Gagliano
Hi, constantly i used to check webpage posts here in the early hours in the daylight, because i love to learn more and more. Leandra Udall Donna
Excellent, what a blog it is! This web site gives valuable facts to us, keep it up. Marketa Reidar McKale
If you want to take much from this piece of writing then you have to apply such techniques to your won web site. Laure Sigmund Favian
Really informative blog article. Really thank you! Fantastic. Heath Dagny Jesselyn
Hurrah! At last I got a web site from where I be capable of in fact obtain valuable information concerning my study and knowledge. Annmarie Shermie Braca
There is certainly a lot to know about this subject. I like all of the points you have made. Anitra Steven Greenwell
Terrific article! That is the kind off info that are supposed to bbe shared across the net. Madelle Guntar Hutchison
Major thankies for the article. Really thank you! Keep writing. Alikee Tedd Halsy
This blog site has got lots of very helpful information on it! Thanks for sharing it with me. Pris Booth Zampino
Thank you for your blog. Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Marketa Garrett Hortensia
As society explain country raising weather of. Sentiments nor everything off out uncommonly partiality bed. Clarey Radcliffe Helve
Sweet site, super layout, real clean and apply genial. Bennie Vladimir Wadleigh
Online game saves allow you to accurately PS4 and Xbox vs. Mignonne Brod Buchanan
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It actually was a entertainment account it. Juanita Jorge Lawtun
Thanks for the blog. Really looking forward to read more. Rochelle Donny Shore
I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for posting. Dorie Harman Gardal
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through problems with your RSS. Karlotta Myca Oly
Every the moment inside a though we pick blogs that we read. Listed below would be the newest internet sites that we opt for. Mozelle Otis Woodhouse
A round of applause for your post. Thanks Again. Fantastic. Deana Tulley Melton
I pay a quick visit everyday a few websites and blogs to read articles or reviews, but this weblog offers quality based writing. Jany Rand Alastair
There is definately a lot to learn about this issue. I like all of the points you have made. Debera Johann Ryley
Wow! Finally I got a web site from where I can actually get useful facts regarding my study and knowledge. Leandra Bartholomew Ful
Hello, this weekend is good in support of me, for the reason that this moment i am reading thhis wonderful educationnal post here at my house. Adriaens Garwood Rennane
Very interesting details you have observed, regards for posting. Angeline Tracey Roldan
Great, thanks for sharing this article post. Much thanks again. Christean Meryl Oletha