Thank you!

We would like to thank Congressman Van Hollen for his visit to Miami.  The Congressman started off the afternoon at Las Vegas Cuban restaurant in Coral Gables. He took this opportunity to speak to a group of Democratic professionals that gathered to support Raul, Joe and Annette’s candidacy.  As the Chairman of the DCCC Representative Van Hollen reiterated his support for Raul’s race against Lincoln Diaz-Balart and encouraged those gathered to remain engaged.

The local media showed up in force for this event.  Representatives from the Associated Press, The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel, Telemundo/NBC 6, and TeleMiami showed a great deal of interest in this gathering.

Later in the evening Representative Van Hollen also participated in a campaign event that sought to highlight the overwhelming community support that Raul’s run for Congress has generated. During this function voters and activists from across Miami-Dade and Broward  showed their support for Raul and Congressman Van Hollen’s South Florida’s visit.

Once again a big thank you goes out to Representative Van Hollen and his staff for their support.

A Brief Update from the Campaign

The mainstream media has been buzzing about Raul’s run for congress.  We have been getting a lot of media requests from local and national publications.   We are excited that the race is starting to heat up and people are realizing that Raul is what the community needs.

The Mayor and everyone at the campaign are excited to have Chairman of the DCCC, Representative Chris Van Hollen in South Florida.  Chairman Van Hollen was cordial enough to lend his time to the campaign for a media event and other campaign functions.

This campaign effort would not be possible without your support.  Thank You!

More of the Same from Diaz-Balart’s Campaign

According to Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s most recent financial report, the controversial congressman is up to his old tricks again.  As the recipient of some of the largest fines ever levied against a candidate by the Federal Elections Commission, Lincoln Diaz-Balart is no stranger to campaign finance law violations.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s recent report has a meager total of 550 contributions. Of those 550 contributions, more than 140 or 25% were incomplete or inappropriately documented. Those 140 incomplete entries lack vital bookkeeping information mandated by the FEC.   This recent failure by Lincoln Diaz-Balart to abide by FEC regulations is just one more example of the Congressman’s inability to deliver what is expected of him.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s inability to deliver much needed services to his Florida constituents is most likely the reason why over 24% of his contributions came from out of state donors.  A clear sign that the congressman has been unable to drum up much needed support for his re-election campaign.

Further scrutiny of Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s incomplete report shows that 21% of the money he raised last quarter came from Political Action Committees affiliated with big business and special interest groups, and 11% came from a joint fundraising effort that Lincoln has set up with is little brother Mario Diaz-Balart.  All told almost 60% of the money raised by Lincoln Diaz-Balart came from PACs, out of state contributions or his little brother’s joint committee.

The Economy

Our economy is in a downward spiral, we have people losing their homes, their jobs, and their livelihood.   The people of district 21 are being hammered with fuel prices that leave drivers with a monthly gas bill that is higher than their car payment. Truck drivers that serve as the back bone of the American economy are having to give up their trade due to prohibitive diesel fuel prices.  Above all other things, the battered housing market is has taken an incalculable toll on District 21. People are losing everything that they have worked decades for and yet no-one is sticking up for the little guy!

Raul Martinez has repeatedly called on leaders such as Lincoln Diaz-Balart to spearhead initiatives to assist those home-owners and residents in distress. However, time and time again, Lincoln has failed to step up and do what the people of his district elected him to do. When the New York Times asked Lincoln what would be the best plan to help homeowners in crisis,  he callously said “I haven’t studied this sufficiently”.   That says it all, Lincoln is more worried about giving speeches and promoting George Bush’s failed policies than he is about finding solutions to problems that the people of his district face.

Mayor Martinez on the other hand, has always been known for getting things done. As Mayor of Hialeah, he revitalized the city’s road’s and infrastructure, he secured affordable housing for seniors and also drastically increased greenspace in the city.

While Raul Martinez was the Mayor of Hialeah, he was an advocate for the people that elected him into office, the same will hold true when the voters of District 21 elect him as their Congressman.