Miami City Commission candidate Rolando Escalona just notched endorsements from two men \u2014 Oscar Alejandro and Rob Piper \u2014 who ran against him earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Both are U.S. Armed Forces veterans. Both also placed just behind Escalona, a restaurant manager, in the city\u2019s Nov. 4 election.<\/p>\n
Alejandro, who placed third in the contest with 12% of the vote, said in a statement that he believes Escalona \u201cwill bring a fresh approach to City Hall and put an end to political dynasties controlling our local government.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a knock against Escalona\u2019s opponent, former Miami Commissioner Frank Carollo, who held the District 3 seat from 2009 to 2017, when his brother, term-limited Commissioner Joe Carollo, took over.<\/p>\n
New lifetime term limits voters overwhelmingly approved<\/a> this month prohibit elected officials from serving more than two four-year terms as Mayor or on the City Commission. A Judge ruled last week that Carollo could remain on the runoff ballot<\/a> anyway, rejecting a lawsuit Alejandro and two other Miami voters brought to disqualify him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen his hard work and determination, and as a resident, I know we can trust Rolando to deliver on his promise to get things done,\u201d Alejandro, who served in the Navy, said. \u201cIt\u2019s time for a new generation of leadership and with Rolando Escalona as our commissioner, Miami and District 3 will once again thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Piper, a Marine Corps veteran who led a recall PAC<\/a> in 2020 targeting Joe Carollo, who ran unsuccessfully<\/a> this year to become Mayor again, urged voters to reject \u201crecycled politicians.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe need new voices in City Hall which is why I am proud to endorse and vote for Rolando Escalona for District 3 City Commissioner,\u201d he said in a statement. \u201cRolando genuinely cares about our City\u2019s future and I look forward to working with him to bring about fresh ideas that benefit all District 3 residents.\u201d<\/p>\n