At least two of three Florida City commissioners claim they did not endorse CD 26 candidate Annette Taddeo -- or any candidate -- even though Taddeo's campaign issued a press release in English and Spanish saying they did.
Commissioner Avis Brown and Vice Mayor Sharon Butler told friends, in fact specifically sought out friends to say they attended a Taddeo event, even had their pictures taken with the Democratic candidate vying with Joe Garcia to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo. But they had no idea in so doing they were giving permission for an endorsement.
The Taddeo campaign press release, issued Jan. 29, said this: "Today, Florida City Vice Mayor Sharon Butler, and Commissioners Roy Shiver and Avis Brown endorsed Annette Taddeo for Congress."
It continued, “We are thrilled to announce our endorsement of Annette Taddeo. Annette has long been a friend and ally of the South Miami-Dade community. She understands the unique character of our community and will work hard to strengthen our schools, economy, and infrastructure. Annette’s knowledge and advocacy will be an asset to Florida City and all of South Florida. Respect for all people, appreciation for diverse communities, and a tireless work ethic will be hallmarks of Annette’s public service, and we look forward to working with her in Congress,” said Vice Mayor Sharon Butler, Commissioner Avis Brown, and Commissioner Roy Shiver in a joint statement.
Quotes attributed to the Florida City leaders appear at the end of the press release.
Here is the comment attributed to Commissioner Brown: “We need a representative we can rely on, and Annette Taddeo is that person. Her values reflect the diversity of South Florida and we can count on her to be true to those values."
But Brown told Sunshine State News on Wednesday that when the campaign asked for her endorsement, she wouldn't give it. She did not endorse Taddeo, she insisted. "Five different candidates have asked me to recommend them but I wouldn't do it for any race. I don't recommend in the primary. I'm not a Democrat or a Republican. I am without party affiliation, just trying to do my best for the city."
Taddeo's press release also quotes Vice Mayor Sharon Butler as saying this: “Annette’s civic engagement did not start because she ran for office. She has been a voice for the vulnerable for more than 30 years. I’m proud to support Annette because I know we can count on her to show up and help when it matters."
Did Butler really say that?
While she was insistent to friends in Florida City she had not endorsed Taddeo, Butler did not return any of SSN's phone calls requesting a "yes" or "no" on the endorsement Taddeo had alleged. "She doesn't like talking to reporters," one of her constituents told SSN. "But she has tried to get in touch with Annette and make sure she knows she hasn't endorsed her."
Taddeo apparently did not reply. Instead, on Friday, Butler posted a notice on her Facebook page (see the screenshot on this page): "This is just a friendly note, at this present time, I am not apart of anyone endorsement."
The third commissioner on the endorsement, Roy Shiver, also didn't return phone calls.
Shaun Daniels, Taddeo's campaign manager, said he is more than confident Brown and Butler did actually give Taddeo their endorsement.
Daniels sent this prepared statement to SSN via Jermaine House, South regional press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee -- even before the story had been written:
“Vice-Mayor Sharon Butler and Commissioners Roy Shiver and Avis Brown all confirmed their endorsements of Annette Taddeo multiple times to the campaign. Our campaign has been incredibly thorough about every endorsement we release, especially given the history of corruption and deceit in past elections in this district. It appears that a reporter and our opponents have logged dozens of calls at these Commissioners in an attempt to intimidate them for having publicly supported Annette’s campaign. The story in the Sunshine State News is poorly sourced and is totally erroneous. Public servants should not be badgered for voicing their support. We stand by our press release and the statements contained therein."
Neither Daniels nor House was able to produce the original joint statement endorsing Taddeo, including quotes cited above, on which each commissioner's signature appears. If it exists and the campaign provides it, SSN will print it.
Leslie Wimes, who learned from Brown's and Butler's friends of the South Miami-Dade officials' unhappiness over an endorsement they didn't give, is already posting on Twitter. The founder and president of the Democratic African American Women's Caucus bristled. "If Annette's campaign doesn't have the original signed form, there never was an endorsement. As many offices as Annette has run for, she isn't new to this game. She knows better.
"As far as I'm concerned, she tried to play fast and loose and got caught."
Reach Nancy Smith at sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
