Democrat Joe Garcia Launches Fifth Campaign for Congress in Miami
Former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia announced Wednesday that he will make his fifth run for Congress this year in an attempt to regain his old seat in the House.
The Miami Democrat released a statement to the Miami Herald saying he was entering the race in order to help residents who live in the Southwestern Miami-Dade congressional district.
"We did great things when we were in Congress and I want to continue work on the issues that matter to South Florida, because we deserve better," the statement read. "We deserve quality jobs that pay a living wage, lower college tuition, action on climate change, and comprehensive immigration reform."
The former one-term congressman made his first run for public office in 2008, but he lost to Republican Rep. David Rivera. He lost again to Rivera in 2010, reports The Miami New Times.
Garcia, the former executive director of the Cuban American National Foundation, finally managed to win the seat in 2012. However, around that time allegations emerged that he may have helped fund a third party ringer back in 2010. In addition, his chief-of-staff was sent to jail for orchestrating absentee ballot fraud.
Later on, his former chief-of-staff pleaded guilty in a separate federal case involving the secret financing of a ringer tea-party candidate in 2010. Although Garcia was never charged or accused of wrongdoing, he lost the seat in 2014 to Republican Carlos Curbelo after serving a single term.
Garcia, however, has a better shot at beating the Republican candidate for the seat this November, since more Democrats tend to come out to the polls during a presidential election year. Plus, the borders for District 26 have been redrawn to include more Democrats.
Before going up against a Republican for the seat, Garcia will first have to defeat Annette Taddeo in the primary.
The Democratic establishment has already rallied around his Democrat rival, who was Charlie Crist's running mate in the 2014 Florida governor's race. Taddeo has also gained notable endorsements from former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez and the Service Employees International Union.
In a statement, she took thinly veiled shots at Garcia and his reputation.
"It's time to turn a new page in South Florida," she said. "As a member of Congress I will fight to raise the minimum wage, bring jobs back to our communities, ensure equal pay for women and to strengthen our schools.
"This is what our communities deserve, but sadly the 26th District has instead endured a series of politicians who've put self-interest first, acted unethically, and at times even acted illegally."
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