Within minutes of Lincoln announcing his retirement, Mario Diaz-Balart has launched a campaign to succeed him in the more Republican-leaning congressional district. The Miami Republican called it a "natural move," noting that he's represented — at the state and federal level — several of the communities in the district.
And he noted, "as the only Broward native in the U.S. House of Representatives, I look forward to the opportunity of representing Broward’s residents." The district includes a slice of south Broward.
Full statement after the jump
"I will seek election to the U.S. House of Representatives this November for Congressional District 21, a seat which will be left vacant after the retirement of Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.
"This is a natural move for me; in my years of public service at both the federal and state levels, I have had the privilege of representing most of the communities that make up Congressional District 21, including Hialeah, Westchester, Doral, Kendall, Miami Lakes, Hialeah Gardens, Medley and Palmetto Bay. I have done so with devotion and dedication, effectively and with proven results.
"As the only Broward native in the U.S. House of Representatives, I look forward to the opportunity of representing Broward’s residents.
"My decision will open a path for a number of young leaders with proven track records and distinguished service within District 25 to move up and continue serving our community. The most difficult part of this decision is that I will no longer officially represent Collier County, Everglades City, Immokalee, the City of Homestead, Florida City, Cutler Bay and much of the Everglades and Big Cypress. I can assure my constituents in these communities that they will not be forgotten and that I will continue to fight for the
issues of most concern to them and for the best interests of their communities.
"To the voters of District 21, I look forward to speaking with you in the coming weeks about the urgent need to create jobs, limiting out of control government spending, lowering the national debt, and cutting taxes, while highlighting my record of working across party lines to achieve results. I will also humbly and respectfully ask for your vote this November to serve as your voice in Washington, and continue representing the needs of South Florida."
Related posts:
- Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart Won’t Seek Re-Election; Mario Diaz-Balart Will Switch Districts
- Democrats reserving TV time to advertise in Mario Diaz-Balart’s old seat?
- The race for Mario Diaz-Balart’s seat picks up
- Mario Diaz-Balart targeted by the Dems
- Florida Dems: We’ve got the edge in Mario Diaz-Balart’s district