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There have been several endorsements thrown around in the race for Miami-Dade’s next mayor, but few national figures have weighted in. Today former Gov. Jeb Bush, a Miami-Dade resident, put his support behind former Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina. Though county politics is nonpartisan, it comes as little surprise that Robaina has already established himself as the favorite candidate of many Dade Republicans.
Here’s the endorsement on Robaina’s website:
“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.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Bush for his endorsement and his support for our plan to reform County Hall,” said Robaina, who is currently the Mayor of Hialeah. “I am determined to put a stop to wasteful spending in county government, and I appreciate Governor Bush’s help in spreading my campaign’s ideas for genuine reform to voters across Miami-Dade County.”
Robainia has also secured the endorsement of the Republican-leaning Latin Builders Association.
We can’t imagine there’ll be another endorsement from such a high-profile figure as Bush, so this might be the grand prize in this race as far as endorsements go.
But Robaina’s increasing support from Republicans might put off voters who are registered as Democrats and independents. However, Robaina’s two main rivals, Marcello Llorente (a former Republican state senator) and Commissioner Carlos Gimenez (whose rhetoric errs right), might not be in a position to better capture those votes.
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