Whilly Bermudez ran against Joe Martinez in 2008. I got to like Whilly and persuaded him to write about his experience running for County Commissioner, which every current candidate for a County Commission seat should read.Whilly is a good looking guy with a big heart, he can be one of those irrational Republicans at times, who I like in spite of it. He at least is willing listen to the other side but he does have an annoying video on his site of Ronald Reagen talking about informed patriotism. I called Whilly to see if he was a birther or a tea-bagger and to ask him how his run for a State House Seat 116 was going. There are 6 candidates in the race but the man to beat is Carlos A. Manrique, who has a big campaign war chest and Steve Marin, it appears, is running his campaign.
Whilly said he is NOT a birther (thank you Whilly). He doesn't operate on that level. He believes Obama is our President even though he disagrees with him on issues. On tea baggers, he said: "I like that people are trying to be heard, I am just not sure that some of the rhetoric is helping the country."
He said: "My campaign is going well, I am running it grass-roots, going door-to-door and raising respectable funds from small business owners and residents. I can't get the money from developers that my opponent can." I looked at Manrique's campaign report and saw plenty of development interests and lobbyists, including $3,000 from Shoma Homes and $1,000 from Ron Book and $500 from Miguel DeGrandy.
Whilly said he wants to create jobs, and that he wants to talk to teachers and educators and work out plans to help education. He also said, "I am committed to preserving the Urban Development Boundary and helping the Everglades."
16 comments:
Mr Manrique visited our dist. 116'Swampwater' neighborhood only to ask if we would let him place yard signs, then he bragged about how much money he has raised compaired to Willy. That was it, we were convinced.
My family, neighbors and I will be voting for Whilly!
I said in 2008 and im saying it now. I really like Bermudez. I went on his website and made a contribution. I think that most people DISLIKE Manrique. I think Willy will win this election despite any fundraising obstacles.
The sense I get is that he will probably one day be county mayor. Keep up the great work!
Did Manrique serve on a community council? Is he the same Manrique with close ties to Seijas? If so, maybe that's why the builder are supporting him; a word from Seijas and they all line up.
I am sorry I had to remove a comment that attacked Manrique. While I have looked up court records and do not dispute some of what you wrote, attacking his campaign manager is not going to happen on this post. Read the New Times instead:
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2008-03-27/news/kid-stuff/
Can we trust anyone that's served on a community council? NO!
But enough of the negative stuff.
This Bermudez guy seems to be working very hard for something he beleaves in. I saw him at work during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays helping the homeless.
He seems like a person who really cares about others, something not often seen in many new candidates for House seats.
Please dont spend time writing about Manrique. He has a dark past and is a terrible person & candidate. Let's just support Bermudez and get the message out so we can get something done Right!
Whilly is a good man who is definitely not a special interest candidate. I have spoken to him on multiple occasions and made a mental note on his devotion for good government that is not driven by special interest, lobbyist or ill advised politicians. Whilly is a hard-working man who has experienced many things and knows that life is tough. He is neither too young or too old as some of his opponents. Best of all, Whilly is running for the right reasons. Whilly cares about the environment, small business, homeless, education, police, fire, teachers and to keep taxes low.
I will say the following, Whilly needs our support. If you are a Democrat, switch to Republican to support Whilly. If you are Republican, make sure you vote for Whilly. Let's join Whilly and take him to victory!
my opinion is that Whilly is just doing it for the fame and publicity.
How can we take someone that really believes that we should build a "Disney World" in Miami-Dade seriously?!?
Whilly is a good guy and a good listener. I support him.
so just because he is a "good guy" and a "good listener" makes him a qualified candidate for state rep?
no wonder we are in the situation we are in. voters don't educate themselves on whom they should vote for and why.
now you get votes for having a cute smile and being handsome!
way to go!
Some of the smart slimy guys coming out of these western districts like Fressen, Martinez and Rubio makes you yearn for someone who is sincere and who will at least listen to another point of view. I have found Whilly to always listen to the other side and that goes a long way. You can vote for your smart shifty former lobbyist candidates, that are taking down the State, I will take Whilly.
Thank you G.O.D We need someone like Whilly for district 116. We will do well with Katie Edwards in 119, Jeanette Nuñez in 112, Dr Jeff Solomon in 115 and of course, Miriam Mimi Planas for county commission district 10.
That should wake up this town!
Interesting blog. Someone stated that Whilly is running for office for fame. Im not a close friend of Whilly or anything but for many years he has been one of the most popular people in town. I actually cannot think of anyone that is as well known that is not yet an elected official or a celebrity or whatever. Basically, hes already very popular. I dont think he needs the headache of public office to get there.
Ivette
ILL TAKE WHILLY BERMUDEZ OVER ANY CURRENT CANDIDATE THAT IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN 2010! I STATE MY OPINION WITH RESEARCH ALREADY DONE.
It is obvious that Mr. Bermudez has called on all of his friends, to write a negative comment on Mr. Manrique, who IMO, has done a hell of a lot more for this community than any other candidate. Mr. Bermudez should just buy a bigger mirror so that he can admire himself more. He is so full of it...sorry.
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