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Former Miami-Dade commissioner to run for mayor -- but only until 2012

Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Cancio announced Friday that he will run for mayor -- but only intending to fill the post until next year's regularly scheduled election.

Speaking on Spanish-language radio, Cancio said he would put county reforms in place and then step out of the way.

"I think I have the conditions and the vision to improve what's happening here in Miami-Dade County," he told WURN-AM (1020). "But I will not run, and none of my sons or daughters will run, for mayor of Miami-Dade County [in 2012]."

In 2002, former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Cancio, a Republican and owner of a concrete business, to fill the commission seat vacated by Miriam Alonso, who had been arrested on several charges.

On Friday, Cancio said he would bring "friends" with experience in county government to work in his administration to turn the county around.

"I can bring residents' confidence back, and lower taxes that can be lowered," he said. "There's a lot of meat that can be cut."

Last year, Cancio's daughter Marili ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for congressional district 25. She lost to the eventual winner in the race, U.S. Rep. David Rivera.

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