Ron DeSantis endorses Bryan Ávila for Senate
Give an inch: Bryan Ávila says the House has been generous to the nursing home industry.

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Ávila is running to replace Sen. Manny Díaz, whom DeSantis appointed Education Commissioner.

Just two weeks into his Senate campaign, House Speaker Pro Tempore Bryan Ávila has secured an endorsement from Florida’s most powerful elected executive, Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In a Monday afternoon Twitter post, DeSantis announced he is backing Ávila’s bid to replace Hialeah Republican Sen. Manny Díaz Jr. in Senate District 39. DeSantis appointed Díaz in late April to replace Richard Corcoran as Education Commissioner.

“Senator Manny (Díaz) will do a great job heading up the Florida Department of Education,” he said. “He leaves big shoes to fill in the (Florida) Senate. I believe (Bryan Ávila) will be an effective Senator and advocate for Miami-Dade and he has my support.”

Less than an hour later, Ávila responded.

“I am honored to receive (Gov. DeSantis’) endorsement,” he wrote on Twitter. “His bold conservative leadership has made (Florida) the most attractive state for Americans and businesses in our nation. I look forward to working (with) him as we continue to fight for (Florida’s) hard-working families.”

Ávila has proven to be a legislative ally to DeSantis and has carried measures in the House codifying the Governor’s policy wishes into state statutes. During the 2022 Legislative Session, Ávila sponsored HB 7, a bill nicknamed the “Stop W.O.K.E. Act” after a legislative proposal DeSantis announced in December.

Díaz carried the measure’s Senate companion.

The legislation — which prohibits classroom and workplace instruction telling students and employee they are inherently racist, sexist, oppressive or should feel guilty because of their race, skin color, sex or national origin — cleared the House and Senate along party lines in March.

Less than a month later, DeSantis signed the measure, which takes effect July 1.

Ávila launched his SD 39 campaign May 2. Díaz endorsed him that same day. He said Ávila “will be a true champion for northwest Miami-Dade in the Florida Senate.”

The move ended an 11-month campaign Ávila had been running for the Miami-Dade County Commission, where he had amassed more than $911,000 in a bid to succeed term-limited District 6 Commissioner Rebeca Sosa.

District 6 covers the cities of Miami Springs, West Miami, parts of Miami, Coral Gables and Hialeah, and a portion of the county’s unincorporated area, including Miami International Airport and a golf course being redeveloped into a $1 billion soccer stadium complex.

Since Ávila’s departure from the county race, the GOP has thrown its weight behind government relations specialist Kevin Marino Cabrera, who has already received endorsements from former President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar and Florida Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Patronis.

For now, Ávila is the only active candidate listed in SD 39 on the Division of Elections website.

Jesse Scheckner

Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.


2 comments

  • Nancy

    May 16, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    $16,000 or even more is very simple and easy to earns while staying and working online. start receiving paychecks every month simply by doing work online.lli i recently received $17493 in my bank of my last month’s working. i just gave this job 2 hours maximum from my day. simple and easy home based job.

    Go here for info………… 𝐁𝐮𝐳𝐳𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧.𝐜𝐨𝐦

  • Back to San Juan

    May 16, 2022 at 10:04 pm

    DeSantis talks tough on immigrants and busing them to Martha’s Vineyard but it’s all hypocrisy. He does everything he can to further latinify Florida because he wants to turn it into Puerto Rico where he’s from. Go home Dion and take your sanchos and sambos with you.

Comments are closed.


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