Marty Shapiro has decided to throw his hat back in the ring after stepping down from the bench after eight and a half years as a criminal court judge.

Musical Seats
Who Will Be The Candidiates When the Music Stops in November?
By Lee Molloy

Former Commissioner Michael Gongora, who on March 5 filed to run for the Group 2 city commission seat in the upcoming November election, added a little intrigue to the proceedings — roughly three months later he has suddenly switched lanes, filing for the Group 3 race instead.

“I thought I would be the best choice to replace Victor on the commission,” Gongora said, before drawing a comparison to sitting Commissioner Victor Diaz who, like Gongora, is Hispanic, an attorney and openly gay.

Gongora, who effectively changed seats by refiling for his candidacy on June 8, went on to explain the switch.

“Luis Salom sent out a message that he was withdrawing from the campaign,” Gongora told The Lead. “We had many of the same supporters, and with him pulling out it created a vacancy.”

Salom, however, is saying something else.

The businessman, who was defeated by Jonah Wolfson for the Group 4 seat in 2007, told The Lead that reports of his departure from this race have been premature, and greatly exaggerated. “If my name isn’t off the list, then I’m not dropping out,” he said.

Alex Fernandez, 22, a former aide to Mayor Matti Bower is the youngest candidate in the running.

His name, in fact, is not off the list. When asked to confirm that he still had plans to run, Salom answered with a categorical “Yes sir.”

However, the answer may do little to quash speculation in City Hall and beyond.

The two newest candidates for the Group 3 spot gave their two cents worth on Gongora’s move to their race; Alex Fernandez, 22, a former aide to Mayor Matti Bower is the youngest candidate in the running.

“I welcome [Gongora] to the race,” Fernandez said. “The more people that we have running the better, and I look forward to a positive campaign with him in there.”

Fernandez didn’t hesitate, however, to recognize Gongora as his new opponent, resurrecting the well-politicized ethics ordinance topic that may have lost Gongora his bid for re-election against Ed Tobin in 2007.

“[Gongora] is a former commissioner,” Fernandez said, “but the people did not elect him again. … He tried to change the lobbying ordinances with the city, which would have benefited his law firm.”

Fernandez, who vows to be a full-time commissioner, asserted that his youth means he has no commitments to lobbyists or special interests.

The commission “needs dedicated, full-time, people who can be there everyday, without having to worry about their law firms,” Fernandez said.

Says candidate and Board of Adjustment member Sherry Roberts: “I filed in Group 2 and I’m going to win in Group 2.”

At the other end of the political experience spectrum, former Miami Beach Commissioner, Judge Marty Shapiro has decided to throw his hat back in the ring after stepping down from the bench after eight and a half years as a criminal court judge.

The Lead asked Shapiro why he chose to enter the race in Group 3 versus any other.

“No real Strategy, I’m just offering myself for election,” Shapiro said. “I wanted to again serve the city that I grew up in.”

Shapiro is unfazed by Gongora moving into his race. “I think it’s the same challenge I had before he got in,” he said.

In Group 2 Gongora’s former opponents gave their thoughts on the candidate’s sudden switch.

“I don’t think it affects me one way or the other,” Board of Adjustment member Sherry Roberts said. “I filed in Group 2 and I’m going to win in Group 2.”

One of Roberts’ opponents, entertainment producer Roger Abramson, describes Gongora as “a nice fella,” but sees the move as an opportunity. “Personally, I’m glad he is out of the race,” Abramson said. “It improves my chances — it will be one less person for people to vote for.”

“I thought I would be the best choice to replace Victor on the commission,” Michael Gongora said.

Roberts raised roughly $58,000 in the first quarter, with many smaller donations from a variety of contributors, campaign finance reports show.

Another candidate for that seat, developer Fred Karlton, has raised more than $75,000, which includes a $50,000 loan to himself, and contributions from nightclubs, developers, realty firms and business owners. So far, Salom has not reported any contributions, and Gongora’s reports show only a $25,000 loan to himself.

All candidates are required to file their second quarter reports by July 10.

Meanwhile, Gongora declined to divulge whom he supports in his former race.

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