In the world of politics, money plays a significant role in shaping campaigns and policy decisions. One tool that politicians use to influence elections and legislation is through the use of Political Action Committees (PACs). In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of PACs, as well as provide examples of which politicians utilize them, especially in Tamarac.
Recently, Tamarac Commissioner Elvin Villalobos waged war against Commissioner Marlon Bolton, who frequently uses PACs to promote ballot issues and candidates. However, Villalobos has used PACs in the same manner, leaving many residents scratching their heads as to why he is now waging war against them. We think we have the answer.
In 2018, Villalobos ran for Mayor for the first time in Tamarac. He seemed to have appeared from total obscurity to run against the late Mayor Harry Dressler. In a surprise turn of events, Dressler decided to drop out of the Mayoral race. Enter Michelle Gomez, the longtime District 2 Commissioner, who had replaced Commissioner Patte Atkins Grad. Grad had been arrested on corruption charges. Villalobos, the former Hialeah resident, had just moved to Tamarac two years before living in the Banyan Lakes community, where Bolton lived. The two met while Bolton was campaigning for Commissioner in District 1. The two were inseparable, attending every city event together, and for a short while, Villalobos worshiped at Bolton’s church. After Bolton won the election in 2016, Bolton helped Villalobos run for office too. He ran for Mayor, eventually against Gomez, who decided she wanted to be Mayor after Dressler’s exit.
In 2018, for the first time in Tamarac’s history, more than 25,000 people came out to vote in the Mayoral race, but Villalobos lost the election by only 395 votes. That’s when everyone at City Hall knew Bolton was not just a smart man on the dais, but a political genius. And Gomez feared him. Former Commissioner Julie Fishman won her District 3 Commission seat in 2016, the same time as Bolton for District 1. Fishman was a Gomez ally. But Villalobos, still having his eye on a seat in Tamarac, decided to move across town to face off against Fishman in 2020. Again, enlisting Bolton’s help, Villalobos won the election by just over 100 votes against Fishman to become the present District 3 Commissioner.
Gomez and Fishman used Political Action Committees during the District 3 race for Commissioner. Gomez solicited the help of a developer to help Fishman win the election, but $1,000 donations were not enough for the two. So, you guessed it! Gomez and Fishman used Political Action Committees to secure major funding. The developer carefully moved money through various committees, which made its way to the Alliance of Florida Seniors PAC. That PAC paid $43,750 to National Campaign Branding Company in Hollywood, Florida. The firm sent mailers to Kingspoint residents supporting Fishman. But other Political Action Committees with strong ties to Villalobos sent mailers supporting him. Villalobos won the election.
So, the question is, why are Villalobos and Gomez waging war against PACs all of a sudden? It is NOT because they are righteous or think political action committees are bad. We believe they know Bolton is more effective at using them. Does Villalobos have his own PAC? We know he does! More on that soon! Did Michelle Gomez use PACs to win both of her elections? We know she did! More on that soon!
