'TINO' Arrojo Runs and Hides in Miami's 25th Congressional District

Roly Arrojo's TEA Party candidacy in the 25th Congressional District is Tea in Name Only (TINO).

Though registered with the Florida TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party, the Miami Beach man never contacted the party, and party officials know nothing about him.

Such a scenario would have been impossible prior to 2008. That's when the Legislature revoked the law that required candidates of so-called minor parties to get party approval before their names could be placed on the ballot.

As things stand now, Arrojo is an embarrassment to TEA, as his "campaign" is completely dormant -- no contributions, no expenditures, no website. His sole claim to fame thus far is the accusation that he's simply a stooge for Democrat Joe Garcia, who hopes that a TEA candidate will siphon votes from Republican David Rivera.

Arrojo was not available for comment Wednesday afternoon, and TEA officials said that's par for the course, as they tried to contact him several times, to no avail.

"We didn't solicit his candidacy.We don't know why he ran," said TEA Chairman Fred O'Neal.