***Update***
Representative Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) was recently qualified for reelection to his third term in Congress, sitting on a hefty war chest of $1.1 million on hand as November gets closer. The qualification came at a time when rumors had circulated the Florida Congressman would not seek reelection and instead return to his previous post as Mayor of Miami-Dade County.
The FEC noted Rep. Gimenez's mad stacks in its latest filing, showing the Cuban-born former firefighter as having raised over $400,000 in the last fundraising quarter.
So where did the rumors of him reclaiming his former title of Miami-Dade County Mayor come from?
A likely source appears to be criticisms of his tenure by the current Mayor, Danielle Levine Cava, who blamed Rep. Gimenez in January for failing to maintain the upkeep of Miami International Airport.
"The powerful economic engine has been at the center of decades of neglected maintenance," said Cava, adding that she "came in as mayor and saw the problems. No mayor, no administration has had the vision or the courage to make such significant investments in our airport."
Gimenez dismissed the criticism as "ridiculous" and "The airport always had the money needed to perform the maintenance. And [Cava has] been the Mayor for 3 years!"
After all, why would he go back to his old job?
***Update—Now speaking to a Spanish language television station on Tuesday of this week, Gimenez is saying that he still reserves the right to run for Miami-Dade Mayor if if wants to.
Ballotpedia has Gimenez listed as a safe Republican since the beginning of April.
