by Javier Manjarres

With less than 3 weeks until the May 24th Miami-Dade County mayoral election, the candidates continue to ‘pound the pavement’ in search for support and votes, but they’re also taking the liberty to land political jabs where needed. While former state representative Marcelo Llorente is quietly makes the rounds and staying clear of mudslinging, Commissioner Carlos Gimenez is doing quite the opposite, going right after Hialeah Mayor and Miami-Dade Mayoral candidate Julio Robaina.

Carlos Gimenez released this letter to constituents after Mayor Robaina did not attend the Miami-Herald’s Mayoral candidate interview”

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The Miami Herald interviewed mayoral candidates today, but Julio Robaina was a no-show. The Hialeah Mayor, it appears, is afraid to face up to news articles about him that have hit a raw nerve. They include (but are in no way limited to):

*Julio Robaina’s ties to illegal gambling and connection to the Hialeah underworld

* His failure to pay property taxes – for four years – on a shopping center he owns in Hialeah

* His “shadow banking” activities – lending large sums of money at double-digit interest rates

* His fiscal mismanagement of the City of Hialeah, which cost taxpayers large sums of money

Meanwhile, he has established a pattern of avoiding mayoral forums where he might be pressured to answer tough questions about his business and political dealings. When he does show up and get cornered he outright lies, dances around the question or deflects attention by attacking his main opponent.

In a recent head-to-head poll between Mayor Robaina and Commissioner Gimenez , Robaina holds a 26 to 20% advantage over Gimenez with still 54% polled undecided. Note: the poll was commissioned by the Gimenez campaign.

Just a day or so after this poll was released, the Robaina campaign released the endorsement of Robaina by former Governor Jeb Bush.  This is quite the enviable endorsement, however rumblings within the Republican establishment are questioning the motives behind this endorsement due to the allegations regarding Robaina’s past and present business and political dealings that have recently come to light.

“Julio has a proven track record of cutting government waste and protecting our tax dollars,” said Bush.  “That’s the type of leadership we need to reform county government, and I encourage you to join me in voting for Julio Robaina to be our next Mayor of Miami-Dade County.”-Governor Jeb Bush

In another race that comes to a vote on May 25, candidates for Florida House Seat 110 are stepping up their grassroots GOTV efforts to shake every hand and reach out to enough constituents and convert them into voters. The contest pits Frank Lago, who has taken a leave of absence from his position of Chief of Staff to Sweetwater Mayor Manny Morono to focus entirely on the race; against Jose Oliva and Ralph Perez, both of whom are also aggressively knocking on doors as they attempt to keep pace with Lago’s efforts.