Fort Lauderdale Mayor's Race.... An Analysis
And now there are four,
four candidates that is, running to be the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. My initial guess was that there might be 7 candidates in the race before it's all over, so maybe we're just a little more than half way there!
The latest to jump in is former Commissioner Dean Trantalis.
Trantalis served only one term as the Commissioner for District Two. That District is a very complicated district that includes some of the city's richest citizens that live along Las Olas in the Isles, and some of the poorest that live in South Middle River along Sunrise Boulevard.
Trantalis was known as a cerebral Commissioner, quite thoughtful, but with little tolerance for the little gritty details that Commissioners face daily. When he announced that he would not run for a second term, it was widely believed that he had lost his taste for the job, and was pining for his private life back.
Now, Trantalis says that he decided not to re-enlist because "with matters seemingly taking the right direction, it seemed safe to step back from politics, having served my public".
He added, "unfortunately, so many of these [his] accomplishments began to crumble", so he has to get back in to straighten things out. And he says he can be effective as Mayor, bring respect for diversity back to the City, and fix the Commission that is "plagued with petty bickering".
Trantalis has always enjoyed the support of a large voting block within the Gay and Lesbian community, and he became a champion of the slow growth movement in the City during his years on the dais, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to muster enough votes citywide to win.
The other three.
Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, the first candidate to get in, has served on the City Commission for nearly 9 years. She is term limited, and there was speculation early on that she would run for County Commission John Rodstrom's seat, but settled on a run for Mayor instead.
Hutchinson probably has the highest percentage of "name recognition", an important barometer that political pundits look at to gauge the chances of success in any political campaign.
Hutchinson has a reputation as a hard worker, is always prepared for City Commission meetings, and may be the most prolific among her colleagues for new ideas and proposals.
But many think Hutchinson's front runner status and apparent momentum stalled months ago when it was revealed that she had sent campaign materials from City Hall and initially lied about it.
Representative Jack Seiler might be taking the front runner status away from Hutchinson.
He is holding his first big fundraiser tomorrow, and seeing who shows up might be a good indicator of whether he is gaining the lead.
Up until now, most of the local heavyweights and campaign contributors have been signed on with Hutchinson, but if Seiler's party is peppered with enough of those important locals, it might spell a turnaround in the race. In politics, momentum (the Big Mo!) is everything.
Seiler's detractors say what he really wants is a big job in State Government, maybe Attorney General or even Governor, and that a stop along the way as the leader of the biggest City in Broward County might act as a nice resume padder!
Other's say that Jack is an interloper that really lives in Wilton Manors, but that is no longer true as Seiler and his family moved into Fort Lauderdale last month.
Lawyer Steve Rossi is the bus bench and other public infrastructure advertiser guy that quietly got into the race and hasn't made much of a stir. I don't expect much "Big Mo" here.
And the other three that will make my prediction of seven ultimate candidates for the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale?
Stay tuned!
four candidates that is, running to be the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. My initial guess was that there might be 7 candidates in the race before it's all over, so maybe we're just a little more than half way there!
The latest to jump in is former Commissioner Dean Trantalis.
Trantalis served only one term as the Commissioner for District Two. That District is a very complicated district that includes some of the city's richest citizens that live along Las Olas in the Isles, and some of the poorest that live in South Middle River along Sunrise Boulevard.
Trantalis was known as a cerebral Commissioner, quite thoughtful, but with little tolerance for the little gritty details that Commissioners face daily. When he announced that he would not run for a second term, it was widely believed that he had lost his taste for the job, and was pining for his private life back.
Now, Trantalis says that he decided not to re-enlist because "with matters seemingly taking the right direction, it seemed safe to step back from politics, having served my public".
He added, "unfortunately, so many of these [his] accomplishments began to crumble", so he has to get back in to straighten things out. And he says he can be effective as Mayor, bring respect for diversity back to the City, and fix the Commission that is "plagued with petty bickering".
Trantalis has always enjoyed the support of a large voting block within the Gay and Lesbian community, and he became a champion of the slow growth movement in the City during his years on the dais, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to muster enough votes citywide to win.
The other three.
Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson, the first candidate to get in, has served on the City Commission for nearly 9 years. She is term limited, and there was speculation early on that she would run for County Commission John Rodstrom's seat, but settled on a run for Mayor instead.
Hutchinson probably has the highest percentage of "name recognition", an important barometer that political pundits look at to gauge the chances of success in any political campaign.
Hutchinson has a reputation as a hard worker, is always prepared for City Commission meetings, and may be the most prolific among her colleagues for new ideas and proposals.
But many think Hutchinson's front runner status and apparent momentum stalled months ago when it was revealed that she had sent campaign materials from City Hall and initially lied about it.
Representative Jack Seiler might be taking the front runner status away from Hutchinson.
He is holding his first big fundraiser tomorrow, and seeing who shows up might be a good indicator of whether he is gaining the lead.
Up until now, most of the local heavyweights and campaign contributors have been signed on with Hutchinson, but if Seiler's party is peppered with enough of those important locals, it might spell a turnaround in the race. In politics, momentum (the Big Mo!) is everything.
Seiler's detractors say what he really wants is a big job in State Government, maybe Attorney General or even Governor, and that a stop along the way as the leader of the biggest City in Broward County might act as a nice resume padder!
Other's say that Jack is an interloper that really lives in Wilton Manors, but that is no longer true as Seiler and his family moved into Fort Lauderdale last month.
Lawyer Steve Rossi is the bus bench and other public infrastructure advertiser guy that quietly got into the race and hasn't made much of a stir. I don't expect much "Big Mo" here.
And the other three that will make my prediction of seven ultimate candidates for the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale?
Stay tuned!
As I look over the candidates for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale I am struck by the sheer mediocrity of the candidates as reflected in their reasons for running. Deenie Beanie really shines in this area. Of the eager crew, Siler seems to have more promise; of course, he doesn't live in Fort Lauderdale but is that important? Too bad Tim Smith decided to opt out of local politics and go blogging.
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Excuse me Gremlin, Seiler does live in our city! Has for a couple of months now.
Deenie Beanie? I hope that is not an aka for Dean Trantalis! I could just see us all now addressing the commission ~ "Mayor Deenie Beanie" & Commissioners. What a "Laughing Stock" our city would be!
It is Tim's choice if he wants to run for Mayor, but I thank him for starting the "blog" for it allows citizens to voice their opinions on different issues throughout the city & could really actually help many when issues are on the agenda for the commission meetings.
It has always been Tim to let the citizens know what is going on, even before he held a seat as commissioner.
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Is Siler's domicile in Fort Lauderdale akin to Hillary Clinton's residency in New York State; a place of political convenience? I suppose our friends in Miami might say "mas tarde que nunca". But Gremlin does not agree. The Deenie Beanie epithet came from my observation of the erstwhile Commissioner during his brief tenure on the City Commission. If Deenie makes the grade, does this mean we will have to endure another few years of our illustrious Micro-City Manager? In itself, that's enough for me to say nay. I need no lesson on Tim Smith, his integrity, grit and his reluctance to re-enter the public arena. Too bad for us on the last count.
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Hey Tim,
You say ~
(And the other three that will make my prediction of seven ultimate candidates for the next Mayor of Fort Lauderdale?)
Could one of them be you?
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Yes Yes Tim Smith for mayor , With him we would have a hard worker that will go that extra Mile and I believe we would have stronger public safety & Vision & All Inclusive City that respects all People & Commission that works Together & and a leader that comes from the working and Grounded Base of our Great City Fort Lauderdale.
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Ray, the last time Tim & I spoke about him possibly running for Mayor again, my answer was No. (however this was many months ago) Maybe he will change his mind! It is of course, his choice & no one elses. Well, of course his wife's decision too ~ Cindy will lead him to do the right thing.
Tim would be a super Mayor for our city.
However, must admit would be a hard decision on some voters (LOL ~ like me) Seiler or Smith. I truthfully believe that either on of these men would do the right thing for our city.
Was not impressed with Dean when a commissioner.
Cindi is getting burnt out in my opinion & maybe should get a man in her life if she does not have one.
Rossi, I see bus benches all over Broward, which tells me that he is advertising his Crimiinal law pratrice for more business. Fine, but for him to be our next Mayor, when is he going to have the time to work on city issues, when a big criminal case comes to court?
This election certainly is going to be interesting for damn sure!
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Gremlin agrees with the nascent blog movement to encourage Tim Smith to enter the fray for Mayor. I doubt we can convince the reluctant one to undertake this campaign but we will all feel much better knowing we tried to enlist an exceptional candidate. AND, Gremlin is usually never lavish with praise for public officials either incumbents or potential office holders. Tim is an exception to the Gremlin Rule.
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Big turnout last night at Tarpon Bend for the Seiler Kickoff. Far more then Cindi event on Las Olas. Had to be close to 200 at its max.
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WHOA.....hold the PHONE!!!!! I just got a hot-off-the-press TEXT message on my Blackberry. Just so has it that BOZO, THE CLOWN has just hopped off the Tri-Rail, moved to town and rented a nice pre-foreclosed water-front home in Ft. Lauderdale. He has decided to throw his big red nose in the race for MAYOR. He said he had never seen a circus quite as much fun as this years Mayoral Election in our city. BOZO says, " I figure I have as good a chance as anyone, considering the CLOWN that has been in office the past 16 years". But just in case he doesn't make, he has his bulging eyes on the City Manager's Seat. "I have VERY BIG SHOES", says BOZO....."and I won't have any problem filling Gretsas', when they toss him out on his KEASTER". Keep your Eye on the Big Top....cause the Circus Tent is getting crowded. Did someone say...Send in the Clowns????? Don't bother...they're HERE!
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