New mayor wannabe calls the guv ‘Uncle Ron’
Two days before the qualifying deadline and 46 days before the November election, someone named Kenneth James DeSantis has entered the Miami mayoral race.
Well, maybe. He isn’t completely decided.
DeSantis, who told Political Cortadito that he is, indeed, related to the Florida governor — “not closely,” but he still calls him “Uncle Ron” — only opened a bank account, which is a prerequisite to qualifying. He still has until 6 p.m. Saturday to do that.
“I think I might be a little too late for this campaign,” he told Ladra, hours after he filed the initial paperwork with the City Clerk. “I’m kind of on the fence still. It might be better to run in the next election cycle.”
For commissioner in District 4, that is. If he runs for mayor, DeSantis knows he’s not a shoe-in, despite his enviable name recognition. But he can build up his political profile — which is non-existent right now — for another run in two years. Or he could wait. With name rec like his, he can build his profile without running.
He might want to get a little involved first. You know, go to a commission meeting or two. Maybe get his feet wet on a city board. DeSantis admits he may have gotten a bit excited after watching Hamilton for the 50th time recently.
Read related: Ken Russell qualifies for November Miami mayoral race; ADLP dips one toe
Las malas lenguas say that “K.J.” DeSantis has been thrust into the race by some political operative to steal Republican votes from former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez — who is running in the non-partisan mayoral race after suing the city to make sure it happened — and Commissioner Joe Carollo, who filed paperwork early Friday (more on that later). Even from former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who has also filed bank account information and must qualify by Saturday. Is that the idea? DeSants wouldn’t likely steal votes from Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins or former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell.
In fact, DeSantis said he likes Russell and Higgins. He met them at a meet-and-greet for candidates and liked what they had to say, he told Political Cortadito. But at the same time, he apparently felt that there wasn’t anybody really leading the race. And that was tempting enough. “I also was appalled as to what passes as a political candidate in Miami,” DeSantis said.
He meant Carollo.
But nobody thinks DeSantis is serious. Not even DeSantis.
A few political observers have thought that maybe someone pulled a Frank Artiles, which is a move named for the disgraced former senator who ran a sham candidate with a confusing name in a state senate race. Running a KJD against a KJR, or two Ken J.s, in the race to confuse people. It may seem far-fetched, but Russell’s sign basically say “KEN” in big bold letters on top of Russell and Ken DeSantis will be on the ballot before Ken Russell — so it’s possible he peels votes away.
Our Miami DeSantis has lived in the city for three years and is currently a resident at the DaVinci on the Douglas Condominiums, which is almost Coral Gables, according to the papers he filed with the Miami city clerk. He is registered to vote as an NPA (no party affiliation) — yes, Ladra was also surprised — and is a junior associate at Cole, Scott and Kissane, where he specializes in general liability cases, including personal injury, wrongful death, negligent security, premises liability, and maritime law, according to the law firm’s website. It’s unlikely the partners are going to like this idea, which could take away from his billable hours. It’s another reason he is rethinking it.
“Prior to joining the firm, Mr. DeSantis worked in corporate compliance, served as general counsel in the mortgage industry, and gained experience in aviation and real estate law,” the website says.
He’s a transplant, having earned his law degree at the University of Richmond, and has lived in Miami for three years. But he still has a White Plains, NY, area code and answers his phone, “James.” When Ladra first called him Thursday he was heading into a deposition, but said he would call back. And he did.
Read related: Neighbor vs neighbor in Miami District 1 as Eleazar Melendez files
And DeSantis asked more questions than Ladra. Who did I think was leading? Should he wait or jump in? Was it too late? How would voters respond to a Democrat DeSantis? Yeah, he asked that. Ladra told him the world would embrace it.
He also asked these questions of Elezear Melendez, a former Daily Business Review reporter who served as chief of staff to Ken Russell and then ran for District 1 against Alex Diaz de la Portilla. Melendez told Political Cortadito that he sat down with DeSantis at the request of a mutual friend. But he did not encourage DeSantis to run. In fact, he encouraged him to wait and maybe work on another candidate’s campaign to learn.
“Obviously, he didn’t take my advice.”
The post Miami election surprise: A Ron DeSantis relative files to run for mayor appeared first on Political Cortadito.
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