Some of today’s best-known and prominent politicians got their first taste of politics by losing elections, but their perseverance eventually paid off, landing them where they are today.
During the 2016 general election in Miami-Dade County, one of the most spirited and closely-watched races was the one between Republican Rosa Maria ‘Rosy’ Palomino and Democrat Nicholas Duran in Florida’s House 112 seat.
Palomino, an educator for the country school district who lost to Duran by about 4,000 votes, has decided to challenge Duran in 2018.
Could the second time be the charm for ‘Rosy’?
Palomino recently tweeted her five 2017 New Year’s resolutions where she all-but directly called out Duran and his ties to the lobby corps in Tallahassee and his father-in-law Michael Abrams, a blue-blooded Democrat.
My New Years Resolution 🎆 - https://t.co/PeeLjDUG9c
— Rosy Palomino for Florida House 112 (@runrosy) December 30, 2017
- Pushto eliminate the climate of "conflict of interest" in Tallahassee that allows lawmakers to hire family members as staff and control taxpayer-funded contracts and grants. End the loophole that allows lobbyists to work with legislator-family members without transparency disclosures.
Yep, she comes that close to naming names.
According to Palomino, Duran works for a non-profit organization that Abrams lobbies for in Tallahassee and generates the overwhelming majority of its revenue from a multi-million dollar, no-bid contract. Since Duran took office, it looks as if the contract has been expanded.
The biggest issue in 2016 that has divided Republicans and Democrats (besides President Trump winning the presidency) has been tax reform.
Democrats hate the new tax reform law and call it a “scam,” while Republicans have bet their houses on it, saying that it will give money back to hardworking Americans, and that business will prosper more, leaving the door open for more jobs creation.
Palomino backs the tax law (no surprise) saying that the measure includes “a very important tax cut” that favors middle American, adding that it was “a major win for all of us.”
"While I am running for Florida State house, the new federal tax reform law includes a very important tax cut that will postively effect middle class families and particularly large businesses such as retail and hospitality to improve cash flow, refinance debt and allow for new hires and improved benefits. This is a major win for all of us living and working in major commercial hubs like Miami.
Democrats complain about everything, and offer no solutions. Voters will feel the money in their pocket before the 2018 elections making democrats very nervous about responding to visible economic success liked directly to this administration. As a member of retailer association, I am feeling confident."-Rosa Marie ‘Rosy’ Palomino
In the end, this race, will boil down to who can raise the money to win. Duran may have a slight advantage because of he is now a sitting member of the state House, but Palomino could surprise many this time around.
This race, like all others, could be decided on how the Republican tax reform law performs.
