The opening bell sounded this week in what is expected to be one of the closest congressional races in the nation as a Republican congressman and a leading South Florida Democrat battle over immigration.
President Barack Obama came to Miami on Wednesday to speak on immigration at an event at Florida International University (FIU). While Obama brought Florida Democrats on Air Force One to Miami, he did not offer the same courtesy to U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., who was invited to the event. Curbelo did not attend the event, opting to stay in Washington, D.C.
Curbelo said he wanted to work on immigration reform but accused Obama of putting politics above getting anything done on the issue.
There is strong support in our community for immigration reform and I was looking forward to participating in what I initially thought, was a sincere effort to reach across the aisle and discuss strategies and efforts to achieve this goal, Curbelo said on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this appears to have been no more than a choreographed, partisan event.
Im not upset about not participating in the town hall, but I am disappointed for the millions of immigrants that are still awaiting resolution to their personal cases, Curbelo added. Unfortunately, the president seems to want to continue playing partisan games with their lives.
I will continue to press for an immigration reform package that commits the resources necessary to secure our border, modernize our visa system, and create a tough, but fair, legalization framework for individuals who are already here, Curbelo continued. Whenever the president wishes to get serious, I, along with my other colleagues that share his purported goal for immigration legislation, will gratefully welcome his engagement.
Curbelo represents a swing district which went for Republican David Rivera in 2010, Democrat Joe Garcia in 2012 before swinging back to the GOP last year. Already, there is talk that Garcia could take Curbelo on again while Florida Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Annette Taddeo, fresh from her stint as former Gov. Charlie Crists, D-Fla., running mate in 2014, has also thrown her name in the mix.
Taddeo appeared on The Ed Show on MSNBC on Wednesday with fellow South Florida Democrats Mitch Cesar from the Broward County party and former state Rep. Ana Rivas Logan. Much like the party-hopping Crist, Rivas Logan was elected first as a Republican but joined the Democrats after her prospects on the GOP side faded by losing a primary to Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami.
During her appearance, Taddeo praised Obama for holding the event. Its very refreshing that the president took the time to take questions from immigrants, Taddeo said.
Taddeo contrasted Obama to the Republican majority in Congress on immigration, saying the president was leading the way and Congress do everything to stop immigrants in the land of the free.
While she has held leadership posts in the state party and the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, Taddeo has had little luck in her various efforts to win electoral office. Despite high hopes for her in 2008, a good year for Democrats, Taddeo was routed by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., finishing far behind Obama in the district. In 2012, Taddeo gave up a congressional bid before the primary. Taddeo also stumbled in her bid for Miami-Dade County Commission in 2010, finishing third in the primary. In 2014, Democratic turnout was lower than expected in Taddeos South Florida base, hurting Crists chances against Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla.
Last month, The Hill reported that Taddeo had met with Democrats in Washington, D.C., and was being recruited to run against Curbelo.This prompted a response from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
Annette Taddeos track record of running for a multitude of different offices demonstrates that she is motivated solely by her blind political ambition, said Chris Pack, a spokesman for the NRCC, after her meeting with top Democrats emerged last month. Luckily for voters, Annette Taddeo hasnt been capable of winning an election, which is good news for everyone who thinks Nancy Pelosi doesnt need another rubber stamp in Washington.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
