Dirty campaigns lead to dirty government
Negative and misleading attacks are commonplace in the world of old school politics. Unfortunately, desperate candidates spread lies, false accusations, and personal insults to damage the reputation of their opponents. Even worse, they often hide behind a PAC or anonymous source in order to keep their hands clean. The only good part of being on the receiving end of these attacks is knowing that I must be doing something right to threaten the establishment players.
According to recent polls and the Miami Herald, the two-way race between the Commissioner’s wife, Teresa Sarnoff, and the activist, Grace Solares has been upset by my grassroots effort for ethical reform in city hall and quality of life for residents. As an outsider to politics, I have run a strong campaign that came from behind, now earning the endorsement of the Miami Herald, the SAVE LGBT organization, and several former commissioners, senators, and mayors such as Maurice Ferré.
This has put the two establishment candidates on the offensive. It has been told to me by reporters and others in the community that Commissioner Sarnoff and his lobbyists are spreading false rumors about my family and my businesses. But the biggest surprise is the nasty turn that has come from the Grace Solares camp.
The Herald revealed that her PAC sent an unethical mailer that paints me as a criminal with a distorted image of my face and a red band across my mouth stating “Guilty”. This mailer was followed by two malicious mass e-mails signed under a nonexistent address, pretending to be a concerned neighbor. These e-mails were charged with untruthful declarations, mischaracterizations and and onslaught of insults. Even a 20 page flyer spreading lies about me was dropped in the driveways of neighbors who have my campaign sign in their yard.
I believe that the way a candidate campaigns is the best example of the way they will govern.
Please take a look at this video from the last debate where Grace Solares denies any knowledge of or accountability for the nasty moves of her PAC. https://youtu.be/jwVzL1jDOTY?t=32m15s
I’m very proud of my team for running a clean campaign where we have been strong on what’s wrong with local government, but never personal or misleading. Most of all, I stand by all of my statements without hiding behind a PAC. These dirty tricks are part of the City of Miami’s old establishment politics and politicians we know all too well. This is precisely why we need a new generation of leadership. Miami can do better.
Early Voting started. For early voting locations and times you can follow this link http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote-early.asp and scroll to Miami General Municipal Election.
Please cast your vote to bring positive leadership to our city.
Early Voting started. For early voting locations and times you can follow this link http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote-early.asp and scroll to Miami General Municipal Election.
Please cast your vote to bring positive leadership to our city.
Ken Russell
Candidate for City Commissioner
Miami • District 2
posted by Tom Falco at 5:00 AM
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30 Comments:
Hmm, when the flyers went out about Sarnoff, did we hear from Russell then? When Crespo put out negative things about Solares, did we hear from Russell then? Put on your big boy pants Russell. This is Miami and this is how the game is played. If you can't handle a little negativity, you are not ready for prime time.
Anon #1, the main issue is whether those flyers,etc contain lies or the truth. If the former, they are illegal and shouldn't be accepted as 'how the game is played'. With that attitude, you are part of the problem.
Ken Russell,
It's a double standard for you to make these claims. Your campaign delivered the first round of negative attack ads, your personal watchdog supporter is the king of negative attacks and has demonized the women that you're running against. You have been endorsed by politicians that are part of "old school politics" and whom have ran numerous negative ads in the past. You have an ECO "Miami We Can Do Better" that is operated by your sister in law and which received $5,000 last month from Melvyn Miller an Alan West and Club For Growth PAC supporter. Two of the most negative entities in politics.
Melvyn Miller's Contributions to Alan West and Club For Growth.
http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/melvyn-miller.asp?cycle=12
Melvyn Miller's Contribution to Ken Russell ECO.
http://dev.miamigov.com/city_clerk/Pages/Elections/CampaignReports15/CampaignTreasurersRpt_G1_MiamiCanDoBetter_Oct09_2015.pdf
"People who live in glass houses should't throw stones."
Compared to some of the candidates running in this race (Grace, Teresa, Rosy) Ken has been a saint.
Ken, there's no whining in politics! If someone says something about you, even if it's true and you don't like it, you don't whine! If your signs are removed, you don't whine!!! Seems that you don't have what it takes to be in politics.
There is nothing wrong with calling out opponents for their positions, history, mistakes and funding sources. It's true I was the first to take a strong stand with the Sarnoffs in the media and at forums. But I always put my name on it. I disagree with hiding behind a PAC or anonymous email.
The ECO mentioned in the comment above is called "Miami can do better" which is one of my campaign slogans. So no secret there. The ECO is not doing negative or anonymous mailers. It's running a positive message on cable TV about me.
I'm very thankful to anyone who has supported or endorsed me. Lots of people want to see a change and they come from all sides.
Ken is rattling and shaking the establishment with talking sense. Naturally the establishment is over reacting.
The incumbent is attacked on their record, when you are a newbie without a record they attack you. BTW you are sounding immature by answering every comment
There are things I did not know about Ken Russell that I recently found out through the Miami Herald and some digging in the comments... a lot of it is disturbing! Why is no one talking about it?
- Club for Growth? Millionaire Republican donors?
- 5 defunct companies?! A massage parlor included!
- Russell has lost his life savings pursuing poor business decisions.
- Now, I read that Russell is starting a new career as a real estate agent.
What joke is this guys? Are we dealing with a swindler running the biggest con job of all time? Miami is famous of them after all.
But I guess being so dirty makes him perfect for Miami commission! That explains all his endorsements.
It's comical seeing all these "brave" anonymous people (now including ME)) suggesting that Russell is "whining."
I sense we are dealing with the authors/distributors of the slimy attack ads.
And as for Anonymous 1:41 PM, why do I sense you might have a stack of Russell signs in your garage? Of course, if something of yours was stolen or you were slandered YOU wouldn't complain, would you? Of course not. You're a BIG Boy ;-)
You should be honored that someone took the time to send this out. It means you're in the running. I got negative ads for Sarnoff, Solares, and Russell. That means they are the top people, the ones to beat. Did Sarnoff write a whiney letter? No. Did Solares write a whiney letter? No. What are you going to do at a commission meeting? Whine and complain that the other commissioners aren't playing according to your rules of fairness? Please, go out and prove yourself and come back when you're ready.
Honest to God, if it comes down to you or Sarnoff in a runoff, I might do what you have done in the past: not vote!
As a gay man, I wondered what Ken Russell has done in support of the LGBT community. When I asked the guys at SAVE they told me that he gave them the hell of a presentation. They couldn't explain more than that. But they did say he's never been involved in LGBT issues.
I don't get it. Is this guy made of sugar that they find him so sweet?
Yesterday I received the funniest Teresa Sarnoff advertisement saying she is going to restrict development because that is the only way to improve quality of life. LOL.
Ken. Once upon a time there was a Coconut Grove activist with no prior history other than standing up to Home Depot. Your story is very similar to our incumbent commissioner's story. You're an activist, whom is against developers and special interests until they contribute or endorse your campaign. Based on your campaign finance reports you'll sell yourself to the likes hedge fund manager John Devany and military industrial complex executive Melvyn Miller of The Protective Group. You are ready to take Miami to a level that the other activist can have only dreamt about.
Ken Russell Contributors - Objective Truths
John Devaney - 25 People To Blame For 2008 Financial Crisis
http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350_1877324,00.html
http://dev.miamigov.com/city_clerk/Pages/Elections/CampaignReports15/CampaignTreasurersRpt_M7_KenRussell_Aug10_2015.pdf
Melvyn Miller - Allen West / Club For Growth Contibutor
http://www.sptimes.com/News/121401/State/Bin_Laden_s_armor_rea.shtml
http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/melvyn-miller.asp?cycle=12
http://dev.miamigov.com/city_clerk/Pages/Elections/CampaignReports15/CampaignTreasurersRpt_G1_MiamiCanDoBetter_Oct09_2015.pdf
There is plenty to be said about Commissioner Sarnoff some good, mostly bad and everyone here knows it. Ken is a breath of fresh air in this dirty stagnant pool of controlled minions. Perhaps that's why everyone with a dose of conscious can see he's the right person to make Miami a better place. Yes, he is sweet, but also respectful, open minded, intelligent and always a family man.For the blogger that said he "demonized women" that couldn't be further from the truth. He has a wife and two beautiful daughters that he adores and it's pretty evident that their relationship is loving and strong. He is a true gentleman, something that women love in a man.
Ahhhhh freaking politics.. definitely will vote this time, though, but more against the old system, against the all-mighty developers and huge special interests, against the Sarnoffs & Solares, more than anything else. Cycling through the Grove this morning, looking at all the political propaganda signs, I though, heck, going with Javier, but the only way to knock off politics as usual, the S&S front, will be by supporting Ken.
Make sure you go back to that previous post and reread it.
Ken knows exactly whom has demonized the women that he is running against. Maybe Ken should publicly call out that blogger whom is infamous for his negative attacks on women. Especially since he has declared a call to action against negative attacks.
"your personal watchdog supporter is the king of negative attacks and has demonized the women that you're running against."
Pay attention to the context of the posts - Anonymous 7:44 PM - before making inaccurate statements.
Ken is a breath of fresh air between wife Sarnoff and sue everyone Solares.
I am voting today for Ken Russel
I will be voting for Ken today because I would like my commissioner to not want to go back to 1950's Miami
Alejandro, of course you will. You work on his campaign.
The 1950's was a wonderful time in the history of the "Magic City"
FYI - The 65+ demographic is the largest voting bloc that turns out to vote in District 2, many of us were born in the 50's and we can't wait to have our voices heard when Grace Solares represents us as our next commissioner.
Javier Gonzalez: The only option for those of us not looking for career politicians and/or cry babies.
@ 3:29 PM
Is that truth? Tom? Can we get a fact check?
If all those things about Russell are true he should be disqualified. Since none of the rival candidates or the Miami Herald have said anything then it must not be true.
Right?
When Russell wins it will be interesting to check the congratulatory procession against a list of biggest Sarnoff and Solares supporters.
Anon 10:37, your opening statement is correct, but nonetheless I find it interesting that you knew exactly who I was... Is it that you're following the race SO closely that you have not only looked past all of the stances of the main candidates but also took it upon yourself to know who is on their teams? Or is it that you are on Grace's team yourself, hiding behind the "Anonymous" sticker and part of a group just writing a slew of false and negative comments to try and show "neighborhood opposition" against Ken.
But guess what buddy, I work for a candidate with a professional background and a positive message, and I am proud of doing so and would do it all over again. I look forward to seeing Ken as our commissioner because he is in touch with my generation and our needs, but... beyond that, action to address the issues of the present is what is weighing more on the consciousness of the electorate. The "Magic" of Miami shouldn't be restricted to one glorified decade or two, there is so much opportunity NOW to implement positive solutions that will over time, set a precedent of good leadership for this seat.
Doesn't Ken have supporters that aren't paid for leaving comments on the Grapevine?
Although I'm sure Alejandro means well even if he weren't being paid to express such opinions.
*I'm not the guy that guy who @10:37.
Mr. Alejandro Munoz-McKearney unlike you whom collects "Consultant Fees" from the Russell campaign, I have no monetary interests with any campaign. What I find interesting is your strategy to go on a public blog as a paid consultant to inform the "neighborhood" that you are voting for Ken. Without disclosing it. Moreover, your desire to "not want to go back to the 1950's Miami" warrants no evidence against any other campaign's desire to do so. When you make such a statement its obvious how subjective your statements are. One piece of advice, if you're getting paid to manage the message of your campaign. Make sure to use facts that are as objective as the consultant fees that you collect from the Russell campaign.
Has anyone read the latest whining by Russell? Wouldn't surprise me if everything that is being claimed is true.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2015/10/shady-emails-take-miami-voters-down-the-elections-rabbit-hole.html
Sarnoff or Solares both have people willing to get dirty.
-This Guy
The fact that Sarnoff's wife is running in a not so thinly veiled attempt to keep Sarnoff in office is very third world.
This business of governing must be so lucrative that Sarnoff can't let it go, like a drug.
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