Backroom politics – big promises, elaborate arguments, or prepared threats; organized meetings, with different players, trying to sell you different paths or pipe dreams… some find it fascinating, others despicable. However, it’s real. And unless you are part of it, it’s difficult to understand its nature – it’s about power and power brokering. While some stay in the background, others are public, often wearing many different faces. That’s part of the price you need to pay if you really want to stand up and make a positive difference, making lives better for everybody, and work to create a more perfect union as a legislator every day.
Over the past 8 weeks, I’ve had people congratulate, warn, threat or pledge to help me raise big campaign bucks, if I only promised to switch to a different commission group race.
I never liked backroom politics. I always prefer open and honest communication without brokers or mediators. Transparency is important to me, independent of whether in government, in a political campaign, or in my personal life. I don’t sell out, or compromise my integrity. Most importantly, I am nobody’s pawn, but make decisions based on my own judgment in best interest of my family and community.
It’s for this reason that I want to dispel any rumors of me changing groups and filing to run against Commissioner Micky Steinberg! I believe that in this current era of rising hate, fear, racism, anti-Semitism, and bigotry, we need positive leaders to stand up for our communities – all of our communities – at every level of government. Micky and I are both parents, and progressive Democrats, who share many of the same values that make Miami Beach so uniquely amazing. I proudly support Micky and congratulate her to an unopposed re-election to Miami Beach Commission, Group I! With your votes, Micky and I will be serving all our communities together very soon.
Today, I can also proudly announce that yesterday I formally qualified as a candidate for Miami Beach Commission, Group II, by collecting nearly 1000 certified voter petitions and submitting all required paperwork to the Miami Beach City Clerk’s Office.
Please make sure that you attend at least one of the many upcoming commission candidate forums throughout Miami Beach starting next week! I promise to discuss all issues that are important to you, and tell you more about my values, and life. Always openly and honestly. I want you to make a fully informed decision for whom to vote for on Tuesday, November 7, 2017.
I know that with your vote, we’ll win this election. Our time is NOW!
We’re all in this together…
Rafa.
