Janelle Irwin Taylor
Patrick Manteiga is no longer working for the David Straz campaign, he confirmed Thursday.
Manteiga, the publisher and editor-in-chief of La Gaceta, had been a member of Straz’s steering committee and was a trusted adviser to the candidate.
Speaking with Florida Politics, Manteiga said he left the campaign Tuesday. He explained there were strategic differences in opinion with Straz’s lead consultant, Bill Fletcher.
“There were some things that I wanted to do differently, and since he was the lead, I would have had to have done it his way,” Manteiga said. “I’m a stubborn kind of guy so I figured it might just be easier to leave.”
Manteiga said he still supports Straz for Mayor and, if asked by Straz or his wife, would continue to help the campaign in other ways.
The Straz campaign paid Bill Fletcher‘s Fletcher Ridge consulting firm $1.6 million throughout the campaign, according to finance records. That’s about half of Straz’s overall spending and the single largest collector of Straz’s self-funded campaign fund.
In a statement, the Straz campaign called Manteiga a “good supporter” and said he’s leaving the campaign on good terms. They also announced they were discontinuing use of the Political Victory Company for its campaign mail. That company is affiliated with Mantiega.
“Patrick remains a dear friend,” Straz said. “His knowledge of local neighborhoods and community issues has been an asset to the team.”
