#BecauseMiami: Making of a Miami Mafioso

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: #BecauseMiami: Making of a Miami Mafioso
Date: May 29, 2026

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Overview:

This episode of #BecauseMiami, recorded at the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, dives deep into the world of Miami local politics, corruption, and reform. Host Billy Corben—joined by guests such as retired Navy commander and congressional candidate Phil Ehr and Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres—delivers candid conversations about campaign politics, entrenched corruption, how political machines operate in South Florida, and the challenges faced by locals trying to hold their representatives accountable. The episode also tackles polarizing issues such as immigration, political consultants’ influence, pay-to-play systems, and attempts to silence critics—all with the show's signature irreverent, passionate tone.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Phil Ehr’s Congressional Campaign & Miami Political Dynamics

[02:48–22:39]

• Phil Ehr, retired Navy commander, is running against incumbent Republican Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), marking his fourth campaign.
• Military Service vs. Political Clout: Ehr contrasts his operational military background with Rick Scott (whom he claims "never got his feet wet" in the Navy) and criticizes Scott for profiteering off fellow sailors ([04:04]).
• Miami Roots: Ehr discusses his first Navy mission during the Mariel boatlift (1980), framing the humanitarian rescue as a pivotal, bipartisan moment for Miami’s identity ([05:09]).
  • Quote (Phil Ehr): “My personal role was receiving these folks on this ship ... the gratitude and the relief for having been saved from capsizing and horrible deaths under the sea ...” ([07:05])
• Demographics & Values: Miami’s FL-28 is 70% Hispanic, half being Cuban-Americans. Ehr claims his campaign resonates through integrity and anti-corruption values ([08:15]).
  • Quote (Ehr): “Connecting with folks on the basis of shared values of integrity and service.” ([08:15])
• Immigration's Shifting Role: The community is now represented by politicians who have taken hardline stances against immigration, often at odds with their own history as immigrants or refugees ([08:28]).
• Corruption Allegations: Accuses Gimenez of stacking public pensions and funneling contracts to family businesses, referencing the MCM construction firm’s history, including the deadly FIU bridge collapse ([11:50]).
• Bipartisan Corruption: Ehr attacks both parties for a “pay-to-play” environment, criticizing local and state-level collusion between developers and political figures ([13:18], [13:42]).
  • Quote (Billy): “It’s not red or blue, it’s green. ... It’s the pocket party or the party of pockets.” ([13:42])
• Democratic Infighting: A surprise Democratic primary challenger, Hector Mujica, is backed by controversial consultant Christian Ulvert, whom the hosts lambast as a “cancer on the party,” accused of running candidates for personal profit, diminishing Democratic influence in Florida ([14:39]).
  • Ehr claims Mujica is a “carpetbagger” from Broward, lacking local commitment and being more of a proxy in party machinations ([18:15]).
  • Quote (Ehr): “Watch out for people who are outside who are not living what you’re living, who are saying they are more viable. ... My connection with the people ... is stronger than his.” ([18:28])
• Military Candidates’ Reception: Ehr claims certain Democratic Party factions oppose veterans as candidates, despite national figures elsewhere (Vindman, Mark Kelly).

2. City Hall Corruption and Suppression: The Torres–Pardo Saga

[26:14–46:37]

• James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance and two-time District 2 commission candidate, discusses being the subject of negative text blasts funded by a PAC tied to current commissioner Damian Pardo.
  • The messages allege Torres has a “criminal past” (charges in Arizona in 2000), which Torres explains arose from divorce proceedings, were not arrests, and were resolved—facts checked by the Miami Herald ([33:24]–[35:10]).
  • Quote (James Torres): “No, I wasn’t arrested. ... Any accusation that she made is what she was doing. ... there’s no there there.” ([34:28])
• Pardo’s Motivations: The hosts argue that Pardo is “punching down” and attempting to chill public participation and dissent—allegedly to discourage Torres from running against him in 2027 ([35:48]–[42:44]).
  • Quote (Billy): “The chilling effect this might have on free speech ... If he’s willing to send text blasts and punch down on a concerned citizen ... maybe he’ll do it to anybody.” ([32:38])
• Breakdown of Pardo’s Tenure: Torres and Billy detail their disappointment with Pardo, citing:
  • Ignoring community requests; absence on key votes ([36:14])
  • Attempts to “gift” himself an extra year in office by moving elections ([36:41])
  • Failure to protect the city’s tree canopy ([37:24])
  • Suppression of public criticism at city commission meetings, enforcing a rule against naming officials, and turning inward after being elected ([38:52], [40:22])
    • Quote (Billy): “You’re living proof that you don’t change the system—the system changes you.” ([40:22])
  • Allegations of transactional governance and alignment with entrenched interests over constituents ([43:11])
• Looking Forward: Despite the attacks, Torres suggests he may indeed run in 2027, vowing to announce on this show ([42:56]).
  • Both Billy and Torres lament how “reformers” are absorbed and changed by Miami’s political system, which rewards loyalty to special interests over public service ([43:11]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “[Rick Scott] was in the Navy and never got wet ... he made a lot of profit off the thirsty sailors who were doing a lot of work on the ship.” – Phil Ehr ([04:04])
• “You literally saved a lot of lives.” – Billy ([06:23])
• “Every dollar ... into Miami-Dade is going to have federal scrutiny from yours truly.” – Phil Ehr ([11:17])
• “It’s not red or blue, it’s green ... it’s the pocket party.” – Billy ([13:42])
• “Christian Ulvert ... is a cancer on the party, ... runs Republicans as well as Democrats and gets Democrats to endorse Republicans.” – Billy ([14:39])
• “He [Hector Mujica] is ... more of a carpetbagger... not living what you’re living.” – Phil Ehr ([18:28])
• “The system changes you.” – Billy ([40:22])
• “If you come to him with an issue that’s not on his agenda, he is not interested.” – Billy ([45:39])

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Phil Ehr’s Campaign & Military Background: [02:48–04:59]
• Mariel Boatlift, Immigration, and Miami’s Demographics: [05:09–08:28]
• Corruption & Miami Political Machine: [11:17–13:08], [13:12–14:28]
• Democratic Party Dysfunction and Christian Ulvert: [14:28–18:17]
• Torres–Pardo Rivalry, PAC Smears and Free Speech: [26:14–38:44]
• City Hall Speech Suppression & Pardo’s Evolution: [38:44–43:42]
• Looking Ahead—Speculation and “Making of a Miami Mafioso”: [43:42–46:37]

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Tone and Language

• Candid, irreverent, and highly engaged—the hosts and guests speak plainly, critically, and often humorously about local politics.
• The conversation is deeply skeptical of political machines, party consultants, and “pay-to-play” dynamics, but maintains hope for reform via transparency and community engagement.

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Conclusion

This episode pulls back the curtain on Miami’s often bizarre and adversarial political climate, examining how corruption persists through bipartisan networks, how "systemic" Miami politics can change even earnest reformers, and why grassroots engagement remains essential. Through heated discussions, personal anecdotes, and pointed critiques, #BecauseMiami delivers vital perspective for anyone interested in South Florida politics and the broader fight for accountable government.

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Transcript

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[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

On a Navy aircraft carrier hundreds of miles at sea, everyone remains calm. 26 years in the Navy, reconnaissance missions in the danger zone, the Cold war, Balkans, Desert Storm. But my first mission was rescuing Cubans in the Florida Straits. When Putin invaded Ukraine, I knew what I had to do. You answer when duty calls. Got a van and completed dozens of humanitarian aid delivery missions across Ukraine. Driving in a war zone isn't easy. Bombs dropping the distance, fields laced with landmines, destroyed homes, and many Ukrainian casualties. Inspired by their courage, I looked home. For eight years, politicians have stood by Trump's war on the truth. They're the axis of lies, spreading disinformation at all costs. They want to keep us confused, to hold on to power. So once again, Judy calls.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh boy. This lasts longer than four hours. I'm gonna have to call my doctor. That was damn exciting stuff there. Holy cow, my nipples are hard.

[Jeremy (Quince Brand Promoter)]

Wow.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

This is the Because Miami program. Later on in the show, we'll be returning to Miami City hall for all the corruption, dysfunction and non stop construction. But first, Phil Air that is E H R F O R Congress. DOT US Is running for Congress again. Third time's the charm.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Fourth time.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Fourth time, sorry, I lost count that this guy runs for Congress again, he gets a free smoothie.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

I think resistance and resilience and like, we're getting the damn job done.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

You are a retired Navy commander. You are running against Republican Carlos Jimenez in. Is that still district 28?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

I always still district 28. Running for the people. And guess what, Billy? I had to show up looking like. Looking like Rick Scott.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Yeah, we were a little sore, I'm told. Yeah, we thought you were Jared Leto from the Masters of the Universe movie

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

to get detention around this town. But I'll tell you what, I'm done with it. I'm off with that because I'm authentic Navy, and I'm gonna put on something that makes me comfortable here in this cold studio.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

That's what I like.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Civilian.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

My civilian flight jacket.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Top gov over here. Topgov.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Yeah.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

I don't know that was a thing. What was that? Oh, that Was that. That ridiculous commercial that Ron DeSantis did? Do you honestly believe that's credible? So there you go, looking good. Wait, was Rick Scott in the Navy? Why does he always wear that hat?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

He was in the Navy for one tour of duty on a ship that was dry docked for a while. Big difference. Dry dock meaning import, not operational, as I did. My whole career has been operational, enlisted service and commissioned officer service in the air at se and on command posts in wartime.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So you're saying he was in the Navy and never got wet, Is that what you're saying?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Never got his feet wet? You could say that. And he tells a story about selling Coca Cola for profit and thinking, wow, this is great stuff, because I'm bringing something to the sailors. Well, what he did was he made a lot of profit off of the thirsty sailors who were doing a lot of work on the ship, as I used to do. And there's a big difference between his brand of service and mine. He knew how to start, but bilking

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

the system, then exploiting the taxpayers early and making off like a bandit. He's a weird dude. Phil, let's talk a little bit about. About you. You are running against Carlos Jimenez again.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Yes.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

You previously ran against Matt Gaetz all the way up in the panhandle in district Numero Uno.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Matt Gates.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So what brings you down here for this race again?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Well, what brings me down here for to start with, was because South Florida is a place where I've served my first Navy mission in the Navy was the Mario boat lift. Because I love the 1980. 1980, that was a long time ago as a 19 year old sailor on what people call a mothership these days, or the survivors have called a mothership. And it was just an inspiring, a really inspiring mission because we actually saved people's lives at sea. We repudiated that cruel regime of Fidel Castro and it was a bipartisan event, meaning Carter ordered it controversially in the Republicans.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Open hearts, open arms.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Yeah, yeah. And Republicans didn't like it at the time. But later on, the Republicans with Ronald Reagan, embrace the Cuban American community as the rest of us have. And it's been a wonderful addition to our society.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So for people who are unfamiliar with the Mariel boat lift, you need only watch the opening of Scarface. That is the Mariel boat lift. Over the span of what, about six months, it brought about 125,000 new Cuban exiles to South Florida, nearly bankrupted the four southernmost counties of South Florida, Monroe, Dade, Broward and Palm beach. And really changed kind of the face of South Florida forever. But, but what was happening, you can

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

call it bank, you can call it an investment in the future, and we're benefiting from that investment.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Well, when you get 125, an influx of 125,000 new arrivals and people who don't necessarily have resources or they need food, they need education, they need water and clothing and shelter, and it's a drain on resources. But also, like I said, changed Miami in ways that I think are sort of unforgettable in culture and politics. And it made quite an impact, I think, nationally. I always say the Miami of today is the America of tomorrow. But you also were literally pulling people out of the water. You were boats that were probably overfilled with people because the Castro regime was forcing everybody who brought a boat over to take more people than they probably was probably their ship was seaworthy for. So you literally saved a lot of lives.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Well, I was part of the teamwork that did that. Yes. I was stationed on the mother ship. So my personal role was receiving these folks on this ship. And there's this one scene that stuck in my mind is this family, mom and a dad and two teenagers, like 1/3 14 year old child, mother, maybe 7 or 8. And the woman in this family was just looking around the big cavernous ship and thinking, oh my gosh, I could see in her face the gratitude and the relief for having been saved from capsizing and horrible deaths under the sea for herself and her family and her future.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

The Florida Straits are known as one of the world's largest cemeteries because of the people not just from Cuba, but from Haiti, from all over, you know, the Caribbean or Latin America who have fled in some cases on ramshackle vessels for a better life, for freedom, for democracy, for capitalism here in the US Opportunity. For opportunity to make a better life for them and their families and to enjoy the rights that many people that we all have enjoyed, that have given us the opportunities that this country has given us. And to that end, you have a predominantly. Is it a predominantly still Hispanic or Spanish speaking or Cuban American district in 2018?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

It's 70% Hispanic, about half of them Cuban Americans and half from other ethnicities. And yes, yes, indeed. And so we are connecting with folks on the basis of shared values of integrity and service.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

I have to wonder though, because, you know, we started this conversation talking about immigration and the opportunity of America and people fleeing places like Cuba for freedom and democracy and opportunity here economically, politically and otherwise. But we are living in a different United states now than 1980. So when you had Ronald Reagan embrace the Cuban Americans, when you had the president of the United States, Gerald, I was going to say Gerald Ford now Jimmy Carter, that's been a while. Freudian slip, Jimmy Carter, all the one termers, you know, so. But you're in a different 28. You're in a district that really votes against immigration and against really, I mean, almost in a way to deport themselves. I'm a little confused politically what's going on here. But you are traversing. You're out there. You're one of the most out there candidates. I don't mean out there like, like, like who you talk to.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

It really depends.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

But I mean, you are ever present, omnipresent in the district at events, you know, challenging the status quo. What are you learning out there from people from this immigrant community that you are trying to represent and how they feel about immigration?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Well, I'm learning that people are motivated by many of the same things we are all motivated across the, you know, the demographics on the idea of freedom, on the idea of opportunity. And so those things are transcending. People are tired of being told what to do from central authorities as happens in, you know, in county government banana republics here in Miami. County. Yeah, because Miami. Right. These types of things are corrosive to people's faith in our country. And so when I go to communities and I help fight neighborhoods against unwanted development or good management in county matters, what they are energized by is the promise of and My credibility at fighting corruption. It's the pay to play political environment around here, both locally and in Tallahassee and in Washington, D.C. where I'm going, that needs to be fought. And someone like me, new to elected office, but having a record of integrity and service, we're going to make some changes.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Okay, so you're going with the. We have more in common than not. We agree more than we disagree, by the way. I think that that's true even in these kind of divisive and partisan and perilous times. What do people think about the representation by current Congressman Carlos Jimenez, who by my count, I think is on his third public pension? Am I right about that? He was a firefighter and fire chief in the city of Miami. He was a county commissioner and county mayor, and now he's a congressman. So I think that's at least three public pensions.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

He's going to get four because he's served over five years in the United States Congress. And so, yeah, so he's going to have all these things racked up, getting the dole, plus his influence in directing contracts locally to his family businesses. And that is part of the corruption that we're going to be fighting here. Every dollar federal dollar that comes into to Miami Dade county is going to have federal scrutiny from yours truly to make sure there's no correlation between developers and county commissioners.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Mcm, the company that actually built the FIU bridge that collapsed and killed six people. Just innocent people driving by in their cars on Tamiami Trail, as well as construction workers on top of the bridge that was built by the cousins of Carlos Jimenez's wife, whose sons also worked for the company at various points. And they changed their name from it's still mcm, but it was like Magnum Construction Management to something, but it's still the same initials. And they get tens of millions of dollars in county, municipal and state contracts to this day. It's a tragedy that really deserves greater diving into.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

And your audience should take a look what's going on in Morningside with this company.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh, they're paving the park, aren't they?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

And there's a seawall that has this very controversially being built. And it's just. It's just wrong in the way that the county Commission is awarding contracts to the Jimenez syndicate.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So this doesn't necessarily make you very popular even amongst your own party, because it's one thing to have to run against Republicans in a red district, but you seem to have to run against the Democrats as well.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Well, I'm running Against corruption, you know.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

All right, Bipartisan.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Bipartisan. And again I think bipartisan.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

I didn't actually mean to do that, but it kind of worked. I think it's a slip of the.

[Boar's Head Announcer]

If you say so.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

All right, so we're talking about bipartisan.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Yes, we are. And we're talking about bipartisan pay to play environment where the developers. You know that party affiliation matters a lot in Washington D.C. it shouldn't, but it does. Same in Tallahassee where there's been a one party system up there ruling and preempting local control for a long time. And then here in Miami Dade county it's less of an issue. And the more relevant division is what group of developers are you with?

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Right. It's not red or blue, it's green. It's not Republican or Democrat. It's the pocket party or the pocket of party.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Some money.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Absolutely. So to that end though, there is a. I call them this cabal of consultants. Consultant cabal. It is the kind of political grifters that have seized a hold of the. Not just the Democratic Party, there are their own grifters on the Republican side, but there are some bipartisan grifters who I think are a cancer on the Democratic Party and are the reason or among the reasons why the Democratic Party has been a nonentity in this state since the turn of the century, since Jeb Bush was governor, 1999. You've now very late in the season. Cuz you've been at this for a while, right?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

In this campaign you need to build trust with folks. And yes, we've been at it building trust with folks.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

And you have just drawn trust a Democratic primary challenger in Hector Mujica.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Correct.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Who I understand is part of. Well, I mean he's being represented by Christian Ulvert and Christian Ulvert is a, as I was saying, a cancer on the party who has done more to diminish the stature and the power of the Democratic Party in the state of Florida for his own profit and is now runs Republicans as well as Democrats and gets Democrats to endorse Republicans. So I'm. But yet puts himself out there as some sort of progressive guru and Democrat vote whisperer. And I think he loses. He may lose as much as he wins, but he never loses because ultimately he's getting that Green Party money. So what is going on in this race? Because you have to get through a primary now in order to get to a general election against Carlos Jimenez all of a sudden.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Right.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

So there's so many things to say, Billy, about This. Let me just start with.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Say them all. Say them all.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Christian Ulvert has been responsible for the County Commission turning red. Specifically in the appointment of Ms. Lopez as County Lopez County Commission District 5, when Eileen Higgins ran for the city of Miami. Mayor.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Yeah, I wanna clarify this real quick because this has been a Democratic talking point in this, not only in the state, but all over the country and all over the world. And I get the Democrats need all the wins, all the W's they can get in this town, in this state. But to say that Eileen Higgins turned Miami blue is simply not true because the county commission is still majority Republican. But what Eileen Higgins did do to your point is turn the County Commission red.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

City commission.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh no, the County Commission red, which is a blue. And this. And no, the city commission is still red. Dude. Yeah, What I'm saying is the Democrats won. Nothing other than Christian Ulvert now gets to hijack both the city.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Good point.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Budget of nearly 3 billion and the county budget of 13 billion. So what's better? What's better is we have a Democrat who doesn't give a shit about anybody, who's already betrayed immigrants, environmentalists and people of color at the city. Or is it better that we have a Republican majority controlling a 13 plus billion dollar budget which as we know, most of the Democrats are also Christian over clients. So they're stealing from everybody over there at the county commission too. I'm sorry, I'm gonna get off my billy.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Well, you're right, because we're coming in with these facts and they are facts. Anathema of politics called it. It's not just a game of, you know, Eileen won by 18 points in her huge victory. Yeah, huge victory. And that was the national Democratic Party's branding. Coming here locally and mobilizing, you know, some things to make her win. And it was that. It was great. Positive for Democrats across the country, but it spoke less to local issues than it did to the national trends.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Sure. But also, I mean, you're hopefully, I mean, you're gonna count on national trends or a blue wave in the general if you make it against Carlos Jimenez. And I always say Florida tends to be immune to the sanity and reason that impacts other, other states. I mean, Texas and Georgia are more purple states than arguably than Florida is. But talk to me about this primary, this secret, the surprise primary.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Surprise primary. Well, look, my Democratic opponent has just been forced out or he fled the U.S. senate race. Then he put his hand in the air and he said, oh, where can I run? And he looked at what's happening in District 28, South Dade, and the Florida Keys. And it is turning more blue because people are tired of Carlos, and they're also excited about yours truly and their own agency in taking back our federal government. So this guy, this guy who lives in Broward, who lives in Hollywood, Florida.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

He lives in Broward.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

He lives in Broward, his residence.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

And he's running in Dade County.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

He's running in Dade county without any, you know, commitment to move his family into our district.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

And for the record, that's legal. It's usually frowned upon.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Yeah, it's frowned upon, and we're tired of that. Carlos Jimenez lives in Coconut Grove.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Carpet bagger. Total right.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

And he, Jimenez and Mojica are carpetbaggers that are taking advantage and exploiting. They're not living the daily experience of the traffic here, of the. Watching these developments go up without the proper infrastructure that goes along with it and the overall corruption and the encroachment into the Everglades. It goes on and on and on, and we're tired of it. So for my primary, I'm going to tell. I am telling the people that watch out for people who are outside who are going to be not living what you're living, who are saying that they are more viable. And frankly, he is not. He's maybe resting on his Hispanic surname. My connection with the people across the board, including Hispanics, is stronger than his. And we're proceeding and we're taking him out. He is. He is. He has hired this Christian Oval character who is a Republican operative or who is, and who is resulting in turning the County Commission red, is cavorting with the Republicans the like of Vicky Lopez cavorting with Phil Levine, Jeffrey Epstein's bff. Right, Right. Phil Levine, who is on a host committee for Vicki Lopez until just recently dropped out. You know, Billy, I've been fighting pedophiles my whole life. Matt Gaetz was my opponent in 2020. Now I'm fighting. Carl Jimenez has told the world that, oh, we should just move on, move on from the Epstein files. Well, that is completely. It's wrong and it's disgusting. And that my Democratic opponent and other senior Democrats who hire folks that have abided by this type of behavior is something I will always stand against.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So as I understand that your path to victory in the district is you actually live in the district which your primary opponent does not, which your general election opponent, Republican Carlos Jimenez, does not and never and never has. And again, I don't know Hector Mujica, I don't know that I've ever met him that I can remember. I don't know what his motivations are. I don't think it's unsafe to say what you were I think getting at earlier, which is that Christian Ulvert may very well be helping to run him in this race to diminish you and to help the Republican in the race.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Some quarters of the Democratic Party, you can see this in the the national fiasco that is the report from the last cycle. But some just don't like military candidates. I mean you can bring out Alex Vindman or Mark Kelly out in Arizona, but there's a lot here that don't like me for military reasons and because I'm an outsider, as you said, I have not come up through you're not a party mainstream experience in the federal government. I'm coming up, you know, and you said my basis might have been that I live here. Yes, that is true. But it's also because I know how to represent. I know what the issues are and I show up. I show up in my body, in my mind and in my problem solving and leadership abilities. We are looking toward a future that is much better for South Dade who's always been the bottom of the totem pole for resources coming from higher authority, be it the county or the state or the federal government. And we can do a lot with hard, authentic representation. And I'm offering that to the people here.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Well, so far you're winning the jacket race in this primary. I'm going to extend an invitation to your primary challenger, Hector Mujica, to join me and to have the same conversation that we just had. And whoever wins the primary, I look forward to having a conversation about the issues that impact the district and what Carlos Jimenez has or has not been doing about those things.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

And it's cost, it's health care, it's groceries, it's energy, it's responsibility in the commitment of military forces and it is the cruelty on the streets from the unprofessional immigration enforcement that's going on. It's these many, many issues that are eroding trust in government and we are here to bring it back.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Phil Air that is ehr f o r Congress us. Thanks for being here. Good luck to you.

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Thank you, Billy. All the best.

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[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

It's usually when I show up, everybody goes crazy.

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[Roy (Political Commentator/Interviewer)]

Covo lost Miami's District 2 Commission seat last November, but what she did as the incumbent is now under investigation.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

We all ran against the problem that's there at City hall, which is the

[Roy (Political Commentator/Interviewer)]

corruption piece that's former candidate James Torres on because Miami's podcast after last November's elections, he talked about Kovo coming to him for his support in her runoff.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

What is it going to take? And can I offer you a position at the Omni CRA as a contractor making over $120,000? I was taken aback by that because I'm like, is this the right thing? Like this is doesn't sit.

[Roy (Political Commentator/Interviewer)]

It was just weird and if true, possibly illegal. Which may be why Miami Dade State Attorney's office launched an investigation which was transferred to Broward because of a potential conflict of interest.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

James Torres is the president of the Downtown Neighbors alliance in Miami. The DNA. He was a two time candidate for the District 2 Commission seat back in 2023, first in a special election, then in a regular election. You might remember Roy, we covered that quite Extensively on this program. Yes, we did some song. There was a lot of songs about that, a Sabina Covo song, real catchy one at that. That was actually a Christian overt puppet, Sabina Covo and she was running against Damian Pardo and lost. And funny, the last time James Torres was here in the studio, you were here with Damian Pardo. It was between the general election and then the runoff which was going to be between Pardo and Sabina Covo. You and I were both supporting Pardo at that point. That is something that we have in common. We have a lot not in common. I didn't, I did not support you in either of your runs for commission. And we disagreed quite a bit on quite a lot. But we did agree at that time that Damian Pardo was the best option in the runoff. So we thought in 2023 and since then, your appearance on this program, I would say propelled Damian Pardo to victory by what, about 230 votes against Sabina Covo. It led to a criminal investigation of Sabina Covo for bribery which ended in no charges. I'm remiss to say she was exonerated because I read the closeout memo by the Broward County State Attorney's office who had to take over, by the way, Roy, the Miami Dade State Attorney, Catherine Fernandez Rundle had to recuse herself because of conflict of interest because she was also represented by Christian Ulvert. It's this incestuous cesspool of corruption. So Christian Ulvert, who may have been a material witness, a potential accomplice, no one was sure at the time the investigation started. Kathy Rundle had to say, I can't investigate this because I'm investigating my own political puppeteer here. So kicked it up to Broward and Broward has the most ludicrous, incompetent public corruption division. It makes Miami Dade County State Attorney look like we have a public corruption unit. But they just. It's a woefully inadequate closeout memo. These are the same people that cleared Alex Diaz La Portia and cleared Joe Carollo of corruption. So you know, they are not sending their best at the Broward State Attorney's Office, Public Corruption Division. But James, we are here because just last week. So James, are you currently running for office?

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I am not currently running for office, but I can tell you that every day that Damian Pardo sits there, I regret the fact that we put the all him in there.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So you turned on him quick and I want to get to that.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Sure.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

But what happened last week, Roy, is This a pac, a political committee tied to Damian Pardo. Last Thursday and Friday started text blasting. I received it and I don't live in the city, but I imagine people in District 2. Correct, received it, which is where Damien is, the commissioner, where you previously ran, theoretically against him, before you supported him. But this PAC has been text blasting shit about James Torres, which by the way, makes me a little jelly. Not gonna lie, no one's shit text blasting me. But it's a little wild because James isn't running for anything. He's basically a private citizen. He's a vocal private citizen who shows up to events and, you know, we'll talk about the implications of this. But the first one came out Thursday and they're stealing my shtick, dude. It says, Miami, a sunny place for shady people. James Torres. And there you are, very unflattering, sinister looking black and white photo, some clip art of a son with sunglasses crying. Because it's a sunny place for shady people. It says, they say Miami is a sunny place for shady people. James Torres, born and raised in Arizona, moved to sunny Miami to escape his shady criminal past. According to the Miami Herald, in March 2000, James Torres was charged with endangering that life and health of a minor and aggravated assault. Yes, you read that correctly. James Torres was charged with endangering the life and health. I'm not laughing because it's funny. I'm laughing because they're repeating themselves again. Life and health of a minor and aggravated assault. The same James Torres who claims to stand up for downtown residents was criminally charged with endangering the life of his child. So a third paragraph that mentions that the next day there was a second text blast with this artwork. Similar message with different messaging. It says, James Torres running from his criminal past. It's got some AI art of you, the crying sun again with the sunglasses, a police car, and you running across the country from Arizona to Florida. I have to admit, I kind of dig this art says everyone knows Miami attracts all kinds of people, including those trying to leave their criminal past behind. James Torres moved to Miami in an effort to move on from his criminal history, according to the Miami Herald. And it's the same thing again that you were charged with endangering the life and health of your child and aggravated assault in March of 2000. The same James Torres who now presents himself as a voice for downtown residents was previously charged, et cetera, et cetera, and says that you are just, just Torres is just another self serving, opportunistic Miami politico hiding his criminal past from downtown Miami residents. I will tell you that when you ran for office, I asked you about this. I'll give you an opportunity to address the substance of the. The texts themselves because it's not factually inaccurate, but I'll let you. You address that. But what I thought was interesting about it is the punching down. You are not arguably a political rival at the moment, and I'm not. Not so much worried about you. You and me, we have thick skin. We can, we can take it. But the chilling effect that this might have on free speech when you have a moneyed politician who has amassed a war chest, both not only from private donors and developers and lobbyists, but also he has not been spending his $2 million in district discretionary funds so that he can basically amass a taxpayer war chest for his reelection next year and start to make it rain on his constituents to buy their votes. It's a really compelling thing, but I think it's wild that he's coming after you this way, which is why you're back on the show. Mostly because I'm jealous, but don't be jealous.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

But first, let's answer the first thing that you're kind of the substance, right, Is of the arrest, the whole thing. When you look at the Miami Herald article, right? Because after I received the endorsement, they called me and said, hey, we need to address. And I addressed it front and center,

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

right, because you were endorsed by the Herald, is that right?

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I was endorsed by the Herald. So we addressed it. And at the end of the day when you look at it is, you know, that was quashed. You know, they did their research, they looked at it and they addressed it.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

But what does that mean, though? It was quashed, right?

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

No, I wasn't arrested. And that's the beautiful thing about this thing, right? It was simply the fact that I was going through a very bad divorce. My ex wife decided to any opportunity that she had, she would call the court system and. Or the law authorities and say he's doing A, B, C or D, right? And you know, we finally got hauled in to into court in America county and we addressed this, right? And the judge finally looked at it and said, look, you guys are disputing something that should not be disputed, right? Here's the issue. You have joint legal custody. Move on with life, right? So any acquisition that she made is what she was doing. So that's it.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So it was not an arrest. What was it then? They say it was an arrest.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

No, it was the issue that I was brought in. I was summoned to come into the court. And that was basically what it was

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

to address these allegations from your office.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

These are allegations.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Correct.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

The only thing that I ever had that made an issue is where they claim false swearing. Right. Because that's the other thing that came up and I addressed that. Is that the fact when I purchased the vehicle, I had window tinting in the vehicle in Arizona at the time you needed to have a permit. I did not have the permit, and that's the way the vehicle was purchased. I was hauled into the court system them and had to pay $185 fine. And all of this is well documented with the Miami Herald. If you look at the article, it was clearly addressed that at the end of the day, there's no there there.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

So you're saying it wasn't an arrest, it was an accusation in a divorce proceeding.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Correct, Correct. And then I find it interesting that if this was the case, why did Damian Pardo ask for my support to help him out if I'm such a bad guy?

[Phil Air (Congressional Candidate, Retired Navy Commander)]

Right.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Well, so why. So let's move on then. Why is he coming after you now? I mean, this was this text blast went out at least twice on Thursday. Then there was a new one on Friday of last week. So what is. Why now? I mean, you. You turned on him early and quick. So talk about that. Why did you turn on him so quick after he took office? And why is he coming after you now? Flash forward. Like what, like three years later?

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Three years later. So before that, I realized who he was early on. Right. In terms of, you know, his policies and procedures for the district. When we had conversations, there were things that we asked for as a community, which was basically, hey, help us out, pick up the phone, anything that we need. Right where the straw broke the camel's back. Early on was the whole thing with Joe Carollo that there was beef there as it relates to the park issue, the gym equipment. I don't know if you recall some of that.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh, out here at Bayfront park.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

And Damian decided to go to Europe to go see the Euro cup or whatever he went out to do over there. And I questioned him, and I'm like, like, these are two very important votes. You're gonna allow Joe Carollo to take a vote, and all of a sudden we're not gonna have a voice in this thing. And sure enough, that's exactly what happened. Right. So it stemmed from that. Right. And then it just kind of kept compiling. Right. And where I look at it is the whole Election scam that happened as well. That we're on the hook as taxpayers, that we're.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Do you mean last year? Another thing we covered on the show extensively. Last year, Damian Pardo tried to cancel the 2025 election and postpone it it to 2026, gifting himself and his colleagues an extra year in office in the process. Instead, it was challenged legally by Emilio Gonzalez, who was running for mayor of the city of Miami last year. He won. And then there were multiple appeals that the city took on, but we're paying for it. Amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees that not only the. The taxpayers had to pay to defend disenfranchising themselves, but now the. The city has paid over $150,000 in attorney's fees to Emilio Gonzalez for prosecuting that case successfully against. Against the city. So that's what Jesus talks.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

And then you go into another thing, right. The assault on our tree canopy, right. In District 2. He's just been literally allowing all these things to happen in District 2 as it relates to the trees. Right. Help Me Howard. There was an article done by Help Me Howard that went to Morningside and literally called Damian Pardaraud and said, you said one tree. When it's been been thousands of trees that have been hacked throughout the entire district. So these things are close, near and dear to me personally. Right. So I advocate for our community and from time to time I go into other advocates and help them out as well and things that need to be done. And I think that's where this entire thing that Damian Pardo with Alex Miranda and everybody else that are ganging up and trying to create a false narrative.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Charles Miranda, I guess, runs that pack or is involved.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

And now, mind you, he also ran Damian Pardo's campaign.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Right.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

He was Damien to Ralph Rosado as well. Right.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

He was Damian Pardo's political consultant, I think, on both of his campaigns and I imagine is going to be on his reelection campaign next year. I feel like there's a missing piece to the story here. I don't know what it is, but like, is it really just over gym equipment, you know, like two summers ago in front.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I think it has a lot more to do with just the gym equipment is. I'm very vocal. Right. I'm very vocal. I champion ideas for our community and addressing things. And he has very thin skin. To me, he is the worst commissioner ever to take that position.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Jesus.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

And on top of that, well, you know, you look at Joe Carollo, he makes Joe Carollo look like Mother Teresa. And let's look at that, right, let's

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

talk about that because, well, Joe loves drag.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Well, that's between Joe and drag, right? But when you go to City Commission and you've been there several times before, and God forbid you mention Damian Pardo's name, you tell me what happens there. It's called suppression, right? You experienced it. And those things are not right. He's unhinged.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

It happens that we have that clip queued up and I'd like to, I want to play it cuz I think it's important to what I was talking about earlier, which is that I'm less worried about. You're clearly not going to shut the up because you're. This text blast went out last week and you are here talking about it. But I'm concerned the message that that sends to the rest of the community who might not think that they have a voice or don't have as thick a skin and they'll be like, well, if he's willing to send text blasts and punch down on a concerned citizen who's, who's active, involved in government, maybe he'll do it to anybody. Take a look at my confrontation with Damian Pardo at a recent City Commission meeting. Finally, I want to thank you, Chairwoman, for your new moderate take on the unreasonable ban on the public safety. Saying the names of public officials in public meetings. Sometimes you get complimented, sometimes you get criticized. But I think the flexibility is important and I appreciate it. And shame on you, sir, for trying to censor us and silence us today. I know there's a policy, not to mention a commissioner's name specifically, so they're not weaponized. And I think, I think, I think that that should be followed. If that's the policy. You're living proof that you don't change the system, the system changes you and

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

the system has changed him.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

It was pretty shocking to see a commissioner who when he ran for office, we thought was going to be a voice of reason and sanity and accountability. And when he was sworn in, thank the activists. Encourage us to keep staying involved, encourage us to keep coming and speaking up and speaking out. And you should have been the kind of guy who was against that policy. The City Commission has this insane unconstitutional policy that you cannot use the name, name of any individual commissioner or the mayor when you're talking about them. Now, of course, the enforcement of that is wildly selective because if you're complimenting them, they don't say anything. And then if you're criticizing them, suddenly they're like oh, no, no. We had this rule and like I said, it's wildly unconstitutional, has yet to be challenged, but should be. It's also at the county, in Miami Dade. It's also at the school board. It really, really needs the ACLU to, to sue the shit out of these folks. But Damian Pardo should have been the guy that came in and said we need to eliminate that policy. Instead, he's trying to use that policy as a force field to protect himself from public criticism. And now he's using his PAC to go after you. So what's going on here?

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I can't really tell you what's going on. Right. But when you look at it at face value is we know there was a poll that was taken recently and it showed him very unfavorable and I think, you know, it's called holding him accountable, holding his hands to the fire. And I think that's important. I don't think any advocates should give up. I think the message should be very clear. If you come to a common goal on advocating, follow through, call them out. He is not the reformer. He is not the reformer. And I keep saying that and I push that. You go to my social media, you'll see that, you know, everything that he's done has not been for the better of our community. It's always been self serving and self interest for him. And that's the wrong thing because we should be able to take our government back and listen to government. Right. And we're not doing that.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

And he's running. Right. James is running. You're totally right. So Damian Pardo is running. You've run for this seat twice in 2023. I mean, and then next year, 2027, Pardo is running for reelection. This is, this is, and you've been, everybody figured as soon as you turned on him early that, that you were going to run against him in 2027. But this is a little early for him to start. Attack text.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I think his whole objective and this PAC's objective with these individuals is to try to silence us.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Right.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Anybody.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

But it's trying to do damage to you politically so you won't run against him next year.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I think that's their mentality.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

But you're going to run against him next year.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Well, what I'm going to say here, what I'm going to say here is once my decision is made, I will make that announcement with you personally on this show.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Well, I'll invite Damien here, I'll invite Sabina Kobo, might as well, I'll buy Christian Overt. I'll invite. It'll be a whole. Be a whole party.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

But you have to look at one thing too that's true to facts here, right? Is he is not who we thought he was. You and I both pushed him over the edge to get to where he's at. He came across as that reformer, as that individual that wants to change the city, but instead he changed himself. Especially when you try to change an election, which is very unconstitutional, that's a problem. Now they're trying to do it yet again, as you know. Right. So I understand those things, but I don't understand his unhingedness of trying to do things.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Billy, you'll remember last week, Roy, we had David Villano from the Coconut Grove Spotlight and he said that they've contacted Damian Pardo's office 14 times in like in recent weeks or months with absolutely no response. And we're told that his office has a policy to not speak to the Coconut Grove Spotlight, which is one of his most important constituencies in his district. So I stand by what I said to him, him at that meeting, that you don't change the system, the system changes you. And he's certainly been a profound disappointment to all of us who thought he was going to be this anti corruption crusader that he was elected to be. Everything he ran on, he sort of has done a shift. And I've been thinking, Roy, of doing like some mini docs online about him called the Making of a Miami Mafioso.

[Boar's Head Announcer]

Oh.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Because if you want to understand like what happens to you once you get elected to office in this town, he is living proof that how it started, how it's going, the videos of him running for office and after he was first elected as a real advocate for the people. And what he's been saying in like the last year and a half or so, I mean, it's like 180 degrees.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

And I'll add this to the mix. When we came to him on the Downtown Development Authority double taxation, the hostage tax, right. We pointed out all these inconsistencies of that specific agency, right. He turned his back on us. Right. Where we provided proof and documentation that downtown Brickell are the only places in the entire city of Miami where you're paying an additional tax levy.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

He's running, right? He's totally running.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Think about it is when you bring something to a commissioner to address it, because as 60 years that this tax has been implemented and he's the biggest cheerleader to the dda, went along with

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Ralph Rosado, you've opened up a whole other can of worms that we'll have to get to at another time. But I will say I think it's important that we, when you are a representative, that the people you represent set the agenda.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Correct.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

And if you come to him with an issue that's not on his agenda, he is not interested. And that's true.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

You're going to get a text, you're going to get.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

You're going to get a text blast about you. James Torres, president of Miami's Downtown Neighbors Alliance. I feel like this is just the beginning of this conversation. James. He's running. He's totally running, isn't he?

[Boar's Head Announcer]

Yeah. Don't kind of come.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Well, you know, there's a couple elections coming up, so.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh. Oh, wow.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

You know, there's the Gabela issue, there's auto issue.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

All these cans. Holy shit. All these cans.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

I think you're gonna see it. I think you're gonna see, quote, unquote, a regime change there in next November.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Oh, he's looking at the one termers. A lot of one termers.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

There'll be a lot of.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

In the words of Pastor Gregory Thompson, one. One term. One term. James, thanks for being here.

[James Torres (Downtown Neighbors Alliance President, Political Figure)]

Thank you.

[Billy (Interviewer/Host)]

Look forward to having you back. Back again with Sabina Kovo and Christian Ulvert and Damian Pardo and Higgins. Can't wait. Eileen Higgins. Can't wait. Cocaines.

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