Robaina won
‘Martínez
is my friend,’ Hialeah mayor says
Hialeah
Mayor Julio Robaina issued the following statement Aug. 30 in
response to an Aug. 29 “Naked Politics” blog posting in The Miami
Herald that incorrectly alluded to his possible support of
Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart over challenger Raúl Martínez,
Hialeah’s former mayor. The posting came after an Aug. 29 press
release from the Republican Party of Florida noting that Díaz-Balart
and Robaina would headline the opening of campaign headquarters on
Aug. 30.
Below
is Robaina’s full written statement to the Herald.
As
the Mayor of Hialeah and as a Republican I want to reiterate my
unequivocal support and commitment to the Republican Party and
electing John McCain and Sarah Palin, as the next president and vice
president of the United States.
I am proud and excited about
the Republican Presidential Ticket.
In response to the
headline that I have chosen sides in the congressional race between
Lincoln Díaz-Balart and former Mayor Raúl Martínez
is incorrect and I would appreciate a retraction.
The fact is
that I have not endorsed anyone in this hotly contested race. I have
the confidence in the voters of the City of Hialeah that they will
choose the very best candidate to represent us in Washington.
I
have said many times publicly that Raúl Martínez is my
friend and endorsing Lincoln Díaz-Balart, a fellow Republican,
would be a betrayal of my friendship with Raúl Martínez
and his family.
My
lack of endorsement in this congressional race should not be
interpreted as a lack of commitment to the Republican Party and
Presidential Ticket of McCain/Palin.
I will do all I can to
help John McCain be the next President of the United States.
Thank
you,
Mayor Julio Robaina
