Rafael A. Velasquez for Miami Beach Commission

It's a Comeback Story...

Today, I want to share very special news with you. After consulting with my family and closest friends, I decided to take on this new challenge in my life and have filed my candidacy for Miami Beach Commission yesterday! It certainly was not an easy decision, but I believe that we live in crucial times, in which it is important for all of us, more than ever, to speak up and stand up for our community! I hope that with your help and support, we can protect our people and make a lasting positive difference for Miami Beach!

Some of you may not know this, but I have been active in my community and in politics since 1999, when I first started working as a 26-year young organizer for Southwest Voter Registration in Los Angeles, CA. In 2000, I became a volunteer attorney for the Gore campaign and since then have volunteered with many other local and national campaigns. In 2001, I returned to Miami Beach and in 2002, I ran as the Democratic Nominee for State Representative, in District 107. Over the years, I have also served as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children, a big brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, and a pro-bono attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center.

I am running for office now, because I believe that we can’t remain silent in this current era of rising hate, fear, racism, anti-semitism, xenophobia, and bigotry. We need to stand up and fight for all of our people at every level of government. I also know that Miami Beach has very particular issues that need to be dealt with competently and ethically like: traffic, sea-level rise, overdevelopment, littering and pollution, homelessness, short-term rental restrictions, local crime and public safety, education, and others. Considering, that I have lived in Miami Beach, for about 15 years since 1995, I can feel our City, and love it very much! It’s for this reason also that I will always represent its best interest for all of its residents.

I know that I face difficult nine months ahead of me, but I have lived through challenges before that have prepared me for this! As of today, I am a practicing real estate broker and real estate instructor, and have been married since 2009 to my better half, Luciana Velasquez. Together, we have been blessed with our two “Superbabies,” Isabella (6), and Catalina (2). While Isa currently attends Kindergarten at South Pointe Elementary, Cata attends Mia Piccolo Montessori Pre-School in Miami. Like many other parents, I am a dedicated member of our PTA, trying to ensure the best quality education for our children. In November 2015, I became part of the Hillary Clinton National Finance Committee, and Latino Finance Council. In September 2016, I became a Press Surrogate for Hillary Clinton and was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Florida Democratic Party. In January 2017, I became Finance Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.

However, as I mentioned, life hasn’t always been easy for me. In January 2003, I was an outspoken anti-war activist, organizing protests and marches, opposing President Bush’s Iraq invasion. In April 2003, I was arrested by the FBI and indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. In September 2003, a federal jury found me not guilty of fraudulently voting as a non-citizen, but guilty of allegedly lying to a federal immigration agent about my voting history during my naturalization interview in April 2001. In November 2003, I was sentenced to three (3) years of probation, and was ordered to serve 60 days in home detention with an electronic monitor, and thereafter perform 250 hours of community service. Immediately, I resigned my admission to practice law, and closed my immigration law practice. An appeal of my conviction was unsuccessful. In November 2006, I completed service of my sentence and was discharged from supervision. I had complied with all court-ordered requirements without any issues or incidents. Although, I still believe that I did not lie to the INS, I also believe very strongly in our legal system and have accepted the jury’s decision and its consequences. In August 2007, President Bush’s U.S. Attorney General, Alberto R. Gonzales, resigned after a Congressional inquiry of his firing of 9 U.S. Attorneys who “had refused back-channeled White House directives to prosecute political enemies.” In October 2014, my civil rights were restored.

I am an immigrant who was crucified in a political prosecution by a corrupt Justice Department. My only crime was speaking up. However, I will continue to speak up and stand up for our community, no matter the consequences. Because in this country, in this America that I love, the consequences of being silent are far worse.

Since 2003, I sold cars, worked in construction, property management, real estate, and for over 3 ½ years drove taxi on South Beach, 6-7 days a week, from 7pm until 7am, every day to make a living until times got better. And it was during those days, as a taxi driver, and not as a lawyer, business man, or political candidate that I met Luciana. Lucy, my wife, partner, and soul mate--and both Raul and Nick, two of my closest friends--all as passengers in my taxi. While I am sure that during any future economic or personal hardships, I will lose many “so-called” friends as I did before, I also know now that Lucy, and my closest friends will always be there with me.

Our time is now! If there is an important lesson that life has taught me, it is to understand that when the inclusive and uniquely rich character of our community is threatened, we have to stand up and fight for it! That’s why I hope that with your help and support, we can protect our people and make a lasting positive difference for Miami Beach!

Join me – It’s a Comeback Story.

Rafael A. Velasquez,
for Miami Beach Commission (Group 2).