Monday, March 01, 2010

The Heir to Joe Martinez's District 11 Seat. By Geniusofdespair

Alternating Chairman of the Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Rep. Juan Zapata is the heir apparent to Joe Martinez's seat. He has been crowned by Uber Lobbyist Ron Book with campaign donations a sure sign that Zapata will be the golden boy, the recipient of massive campaign donations from the usual suspects.

I think this signals that Joe Martinez is definitely seeking higher office. You heard it here first. Joe would have to vacate his seat if he runs for Mayor. I don't think Book would have given to the Zapata campaign, nor would Zapata have registered for the seat, if there was any doubt that Martinez had higher aspirations. Although, a reader has said, if he runs for the Congress he would not have to vacate. The Diaz-Balart seat in the House was not open when Zapata registered for Martinez's district. This adds another wrinkle, we might not get rid of Joe in the County if he runs for the U.S. House and loses. Ick.

Juan has already collected $10,000 for the election in 2012. He has Sugar money, Citrus and PAC money from medical interests. Most notable is the $1,500 from Book and wife. He has local experience having served on the Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board, Miami-Dade Planning Advisory Board and West Kendall Community Council as Chairman. And, yes, he is better than Joe. Just about anybody is...
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18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe does not have to resign his seat if he runs for the US Congressional District. He would only have to resign his seat if he runs for County Mayor. Just FYI..

Geniusofdespair said...

Damn. I don't want him to run for Mayor. Will make that correction.

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe, dare you to run for county mayor. cluck cluck cluck.

Anonymous said...

Better Juan than Joe.

Anonymous said...

Juan is conservative. He owns land in West Kendall, I believe. How did he comport himself when he was on CC?

Anonymous said...

Go here if you want to learn about Juan. Some good votes, some bad.

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=31079

Anonymous said...

Zapata voted yea on SB 360

He is anti-abortion and voted yea on some strong language that redefines viable fetus to unborn child, thus putting teeth into the law with things such as vehicular homicide, etc.

On Smartvote.org you can read his ratings for special interests. Here's how they scored him. What do you have to do to get 100% approval from the Building Industry? Wow. They loved him. Interestingly enough, what did he start doing in 67% to make that number go down?

Association of Builders and Contractors
08 67%
06 100%
05 100%
03 91%

FL Chamber of Commerce
08 97%
07 96%
06 100%
05 100%
03 91%

Anonymous said...

I'm all for change and new blood, but we must keep those in office that have done right by their districts.

District 11 has benefited tremendously under Martinez. His office is extremely responsive to the residents.

I remember that our previous Commissioner only came around during elections.

How many of you live in the district?

Our current Mayor promised alot, spoke to everyone when he wanted strong mayor and now he is not approachable.

I think Martinez would surprise many as Mayor.

Anonymous said...

Tell me his platform and I will tell you if I will vote for him, Martinez staff person.

Geniusofdespair said...

Gimme a break. No one in their right mind would like the little bully, you are definitely on his staff.

Anonymous said...

I am not but for professional reasons I choose to stay annonymous.

I do live in his district for quite sometime and can say that things in the district are better.

As for his platform, I don't know it but I look forward to hearing it before I cast my vote for or against him.

Anonymous said...

Little Joe must go! Llorente will be a better Mayor any day. Zapata will give District 11 - not new but cleaner blood.

Anonymous said...

Llorente will be a better Mayor! really? talk about only hating Commissioners.

What has Llorente done for us at the State?

I really think that if Joe solved global warming you would still find somehting bad to say about that.

I am a firm believer that we need to look at issues independently. One will not agree with all, but for the residents he represents he has done wonderful things for.

Geniusofdespair said...

Last Commenter you deserve to get the same answer as the person who supports Pepe Diaz (he is GOOD TO HIS DISTRICT)

You are part of the problem. All you care about is your friggin' district.

Myopic, selfish person go read somewhere else. We here care about the ENTIRE county not just your Godawful district. This is the man you want in charge of the county someone who cares ONLY about pleasing his little stupid fiefdom, A person with no vision?

Anonymous said...

Touchy... if you aren't willing to take criticism you shouldn't have a blog.

He is elected to represent his district and he does. Once,and if, he is elected as Mayor we can argue if he represents the COunty.

Joe has done great things for the county such as the Coordinated Victims Assistance Center and Miami-Dade Blue.

Back to my original question, what has LLorente done?

Geniusofdespair said...

Touchy... if you aren't willing to take criticism you shouldn't have a blog.
---------------
If you aren't willing to be polite to a blogger who works for free, you shouldn't write on a blog.

And, if some of you are too stupid to even figure anything out, like that you are self serving, I am not giving you a voice on this blog, write to fox news. This blog goes by our rules not yours annoying person.

Anonymous said...

I read your blog to get a different point of view on what is taking place in the County. Since, the Herald is not the most reliebale source.

Now that I see that you only like those who agree with you, I will classify you like the Herald - only concerned with those that share your political platform/ideals.

I will rely now on the Miami Today.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Rep Zapata dating one of the county's lobbyists