THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

ELECTION CENTRAL 2010 - THE VOTING BEGINS


Good morning loyal readers. It's Monday, August 9, 2010 and the polls are officially open. You can vote by absentee ballot, or, show up at a polling cite between now and election day during Early Voting, or, you can wait until Tuesday, August 24, 2010, election day.

In Miami-Dade County, voters will cast ballots in four contested judicial elections.

In the Circuit Court, Group 45, incumbent Judge Peter Adrien faces off against challenger Samantha Ruiz Cohen.

JUDGE PETER ADRIEN

A brief history on Judge Adrien: He has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1994. He was elected to the bench in 2004. He was born on the island of Antigua and is Miami-Dade's first Antiguan Judge. He worked at the Legal Aide Society for 11 years. He currently teaches as an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College in their paralegal program and has been doing that since 1995.

In 2000, Peter Sylvester Adrien ran for Circuit Court Judge in a four-way race. He ran using his legal name. In the primary, Gina Mendez scored 40% of the vote. Dennis Murphy was second with 29% of the vote; Martin Zilber pulled in 25% of the vote; and Adrien garnered 6% of the vote. (In the runoff, Murphy squeaked by Mendez).

In 2004, Adrien decided to again run for Judge. This time he chose incumbent Henry "Hank" Harnage. Harnage has been appointed by Gov, Chiles in 1996 and won a full term in 1998 beating Elio Vasquez. Adrien filed to run shortly before the qualifying deadline. Only this time, he ran under the name Peter Camacho Adrien. Camacho was his Portuguese mother's maiden name. He told the press back then that he attributed his loss in 2000 to the confusion with the Sylvester name. In the election, Harnage got beat by Adrien, 57%-43%.

In the past six years, Adrien has made a name for himself on the bench, both in the Criminal Division (4 years) and the General Jurisdiction Division (2 years).

In the 2010 election, Judge Adrien has raised a total of $25,995 from 96 contributors, with no monetary loans to himself. He raised $16,125 in the past reporting quarter (April 1 - July 30, 2010). He has spent all but $645 of that money, spending $25,350. He has hired no consultants according to his expenditure report.

Notable law firms that have donated the maximum $500 include Grossman Roth PA, Podhurst Orseck PA, Feldman Gale PA, the Ticktin Law Group (aren't they the ones with that weird tv commercial where all the attorneys look straight ahead into the camera at the last second?), Lew Tein PA, and Guy Lewis, who has donated $1,500 through three entities. One has to ask themselves: do these firms really believe he is the best candidate running, or do they currently have cases filed before the Judge? Just curious?!

You can visit Judge Adrien's web site at www.judgeadrien2010.com .

SAMANTHA RUIZ COHEN

She has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1992. She began her career with the Miami Dade State Attorney's Office and worked there for more than ten years. She rose through the ranks and became a Division Chief. She was also the office's Training Director for a number of years. She currently is in private practice with the law firm of Bennett Aiello Cohen & Fried where she handles product liability cases. She also teaches Constitutional Law at FIU.

Ms. Ruiz Cohen has been out on the campaign trail for much of the past year and a half. She has attended more campaign fundraisers and raised more money than any other candidate in any of the local contested judicial elections. According to the most up to date reporting cycle, she has raised $89,112 and has also loaned her campaign an additional $112,500 for a total war chest of $201,612. Ms. Ruiz Cohen has already spent $120,423. Her 417, yes 417 contributors include three bail bonding companies that each gave the $500 max: A1 Magic Bail Bonds, Singh's Bail Bonds, and Rivas Bonding.

Some of her money has gone to campaign consultants, including: Susan Fried $15,000; Stephanie Bromfield $6,550; Zenaida Russell $4,000; Margarita Armona $1,000; Isolina Marono $300; and Sid Gersh $200.

You can visit the Samantha Ruiz Cohen web site at www.samantha4judge.com .

The Miami Herald has endorsed Ms. Ruiz Cohen. Who do our readers and bloggers think should wear the robe? Let's hear from you!

Tomorrow, Group 62: Gordo v. Kuntz.

CAPTAIN OUT .....