Attacks over veteran status in Miami Beach election don’t change our recommendation | Editorial

The Nov. 16 Miami Beach election runoff has been marked by mudslinging in Group I.

Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, who led in the Nov. 2 general election, has relentlessly attacked opponent Raquel Pacheco, who is backed by the local Democratic Party.

The Herald Editorial Board recommended Pacheco Nov. 2. We had concerns about her two bankruptcies. But we were more concerned about Rosen Gonzalez’ behavior in office. She attempted to interfere with a police investigation into a political donor in 2017. She also falsely claimed this year to be Hispanic while campaigning, and later apologized.

Rosen Gonzalez’s supporters have accused Pacheco of falsely saying she’s a veteran. Pacheco served in the Connecticut Army National Guard from 1993-1999 and was honorably discharged, the agency said. A U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs definition says a National Guard member is not a veteran until they serve 180 days on federal active duty or 20 years total, the Herald reported.

That VA definition is for benefits and employment only, according to Kevin Hollinger, director of legislation for the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. Anyone who has completed basic training such as Pacheco is considered a veteran, he said.

Pacheco should’ve been more specific about her service, but she served her country.

This controversy doesn’t change our recommendation of Raquel Pacheco in Group I.

Group III

Alex Fernandez came first on Nov. 2. He faces Stephen Cohen in the runoff.

We recommended Fernandez Nov. 2 for his knowledge about how government works. He has served on city boards including the Miami Beach Planning Board. He’s a former aide to two Miami Beach commissioners and works for Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa.

Cohen is a community activist who helped fund a political committee behind ads attacking Fernandez for being a Republican in the past (he became an independent last year). This is a nonpartisan race and we were disappointed to see cheap partisan shots.

We recommend Alex Fernandez in Miami Beach Group III.