South Florida can get ready for one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation as Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez won the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla.
With 63 percent of the vote in, Gimenez had more than 60 percent of the vote. Former Metro-Dade Firefighters Union President Omar Blanco stood at 39.5 percent.
This seat has been something of a hot potato in recent years. Republican David Rivera claimed the seat in 2010 only to lose two years later to Democrat Joe Garcia. Republican Carlos Curbelo beat Garcia in 2014 only to lose to Mucarsel-Powell four years later.
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), weighed in after Gimenez won on Tuesday night.
“Congratulations to Mayor Carlos Gimenez on his primary win. Carlos fled socialism as a child and knows firsthand how it can destroy a country. He has dedicated his life to serving South Floridians and will continue that service in Washington. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is one of the most partisan members of Congress who would rather prop up the Washington socialists and her Ukrainian oligarch-connected husband than serve the people of South Florida. I look forward to welcoming Carlos Gimenez to Congress this November,” Emmer said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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