ELECTION 2012: The SunPost Recommends

[ 1 ] August 9, 2012 | SunPost

We chose a different way of selecting our candidates for recommendations this year. Instead of calling in the candidates one-by-one, for a cozy chat in our offices, we decided to go the route that most voters do, when choosing who to vote for. We did research. We read articles, watched video, scoured candidate websites for the issues, and if we were lucky, heard them speak at the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club. Not everyone was enthusiastic about the way we chose to handle things, but for us, this time around, it worked. We also paired our endorsements down to a few races this election — those that have a direct impact on Miami Beach and those races that we just had to speak out loud about.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 113
Of the four candidates — Waldo Faura Jr., Adam Kravitz, David Richardson and Mark Weithorn — vying for Steinberg’s vacated seat, each brings his own unique set of qualifications and priorities to the party. Waldo Faura has been active for years in the insurance industry, making waves and getting things done. Qualities we need in a Senator representing us. We liked Adam Kravitz with his strong business background, can-do attitude and his understanding of how to take our city to the next level. CPA, David Richardson stood out to us with his focus on school issues and ideas on new revenue streams for the city. He is also the only openly gay candidate, a wonderful representative of Miami’s unique melting pot.

But it was Mark Weithorn’s extensive experience that ultimately put him in the power position. His years of service to Miami Beach on boards and committees, as an activist, as a resident and as a leader, have all given him the power tools needed to get things done.

The SunPost Recommends Mark Weithorn for House District 113

COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER
This race is of particular interest to us because it is a power position that deals with the Miami Real Estate market. Again both candidates look good for this with both having serious Real Estate experience.

We don’t doubt that the incumbent Pedro J. Garcia has the chops to do this job, since 2008 he has been blazing his own trail as the first elected County Appraiser. There is no doubt that he has accomplished a lot in his 4-year run. But, it is vibrant newcomer Carlos Lopez-Cantera that seems to have formidable energy, enthusiasm and many ideas on how to take the County Appraisers office to the next level.

He is a proponent for change and he is what we need to tackle this ever-changing Real-Estate market that needs to be brought back to life.

The SunPost endorses Carlos Lopez-Cantera to do just that.

MIAMI DADE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Young, dynamic and charming attorney Rod Vereen seems the perfect candidate to take on 19-year incumbent Kathy Fernandez-Rundle. In a race that has everything going against it, (like the fact that 57 percent of the voters are locked out and that a judge still has to rule on the closed primary) it will take a cool head and experience to win.

Experience is the key to this race and that is what sets the two candidates apart.

Vereen is a brilliant attorney, but it is his lack of experience running a large office, (the State Attorney’s Office is the fourth largest in the nation) is what has catapulted Fernandez-Rundle to the finish-line. Both have prosecuted criminals, but it is her weighty experience and lower crime figures that will get her re-elected.

The SunPost recommends Kathy Fernandez-Rundle for Miami Dade State Attorney.

DISTRICT 5 COUNTY COMMISSIONER
There are three candidates trying to take Incumbent Bruno Barreiro’s seat on the County Commission. Carlos Munoz Fontanills, Calixsto Garcia and Luis Garcia. Both Barreiro and Luis Garcia have the political chops in this race. But don’t count out the two newcomers just yet. What Calixsto lacks in experience he makes up for with charm. We are calling Calixsto Garcia the gentleman candidate. He has run his campaign with an elegance and finesse that is rare in a Miami race. We hope that he will consider another run for office if he does not win on August 14. His counterpart Fontanills does not speak any English and does not care to learn any. While this might not be a problem for him in Little Havana, it will be on Miami Beach.

As competent as Barreiro is, we believe that Luis Garcia is another proponent for change and change is what we must have in District 5. This former fire chief and Miami Beach Commissioner opposes gambling in downtown Miami and can run with the big Miami dogs, after-all he was hand-picked for this race by reform powerhouse Norman Braman.

The SunPost Recommends Luis Garcia for District 5 County Commissioner.

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