Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Miami residents set to vote for new mayor
MIAMI (WSVN) -- It's down to the wire and Miami residents will voice their choice for a new mayor Tuesday.
This race has two men pitted against each other, both want the same thing: to be called Miami's next top boss.
It's the mad political dash, complete with back slaps in Little Havana and pizza for volunteers in Miami. Tomas Regalado versus Joe Sanchez, and the heat is on. "I never want to call it too early," said Regalado. "We have been working as if 50 points behind. We've been working all weekend, visiting every community."
"Every vote counts," said Sanchez. "Our campaign has been grassroots. We've lost 18 pounds, we've gone through three sets of shoes, and we've been getting our message out to the people."
The messages of the two men come out of a working relationship that has often been tense. Both men are city commissioners and most meetings have found the two at odds. "A contract is a contract," said Sanchez about recent proposed cost increases to the Marlins Stadium parking lot.
"We're not paying for it," Regalado said, as one of only two dissenting votes proposing more funding to the project.
By Monday afternoon, Regalado remained ahead in the polls. Some credit his opposition to the Marlins Stadium and what he calls irresponsible spending.
Sanchez stands by his history backing Miami's current mayor, saying he's for the taxpayers. Regalado says he is for unions, which could, he says, in the end, bankrupt the city through pension problems.
The two men also differ on the direction of the police department. Regalado wants a new direction. Sanchez calls Miami Police Chief John Timoney a stalwart.
Two men... only one job up for grabs, and you, the taxpayer, with the power to hire or fire.
Sanchez said he has lost nearly 20 pounds in the race by going door-to-door while campaigning, and Regalado said he's working as if he were the underdog. As for the polls, both said they do not pay them much attention.
Sanchez and Regalado said they both plan to make the rounds to polling stations and hit the radio circuit, continuing their campaigns until polls close at 7 p.m.
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