Over the next two weeks, we'll see if Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez can muster the support that propelled him to office in 2004 and 2008, and also gave him more power. Earlier today, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Barbara Areces dismissed Alvarez's last-minute lawsuit seeking to block the recall vote set for March 15. She ruled the voter petitions seeking his recall were collected and reviewed in compliance with the law. That means Alvarez must now concentrate on repelling voters' wrath, which is spearheaded by car dealership billionare Norman Braman.







The auto magnate has already spent a half-million dollars to oust Alvarez, who to stay in power is relying on the support of the county employee unions, his top bureaucratic lieutenants, and a former state senator known for running dirty political campaigns . Alvarez -- along with county Commissioner Natacha Seijas , who is also facing a recall -- has hired Alex Diaz de la Portilla to work on his campaign.





Early voting begins Monday.