Ros-Lehtinen calling it quits next year
After almost three decades in the U.S. Congress, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will call it quits next year. Ros-Lehtinen was first elected in 1989. Previously she had been a Florida state representative and later a state senator.
In a phone call to the Miami Herald, Ros-Lehtinen said, “there was no epiphany. There was no moment, nothing that has happened that I’ve said, “I’ve got to move on. It was just a realization that I could keep getting elected — but it’s not about getting elected.”
Ros-Lehtinen said that although she had had her toughest race last year outlasting Democratic Party candidate Scott Fuhrman by 10 points in a district that was won by Hillary Clinton by 20 percentage points over Donald Trump, she would have done better next year in the midterm election.
Some have questioned her claim. There are two Democrats — Fuhrman and Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzales — who had already announced their intention to run next year before Ros-Lehtinen’s decision.
Sunday’s unexpected announcement by Ros-Lehtinen created a new possibility for Democrats to take over a district whose breakdown favors them but had been a lock for Republicans because of Ros-Lehtinen’s popularity. Immediately after her announcement there was speculation of who else might run in 2018. Miami Herald reporters Patricia Mazzei and David Smiley presented a list of possibilities that included the following:
▪ Scott Fuhrman, a Democrat who ran against Ros-Lehtinen in November after District 27 was redrawn to lean Democratic and lost 45-55. Furhman has said he will run for the seat again in 2018.
▪ Kristen Rosen Gonzalez: A Miami Beach commissioner and Miami Dade College professor finishing her PhD on leadership in higher education administration at Barry University. A Democrat, she filed campaign papers this month.
▪ Michael A. Hepburn: A senior academic advisor for the School of Business at the University of Miami who lost a primary campaign against Daphne Campbell for the state House in 2014. He is a Democrat, and serves on the Allapattah Neighborhood Association and the Miami Dade Democratic Executive Committee.
▪ Mark Anthony Person, a Democrat, has filed to run with the state Division of Elections.
Other possible candidates include:
▪ Bruno Barreiro: A Republican Miami-Dade County commissioner, Barreiro says “I’ve always eyed this district. I would never have run against Ileana. She’s a friend and I support her. We’re going to miss a lot her incredible leadership.”
▪ Jose Felix Diaz: Already in the running to become South Florida’s top federal prosecutor and considering a run for Frank Artiles’ vacated Senate seat, the Republican State Representative from Miami isn’t ruling out a run for Ros-Lehtinen’s seat. “There are a lot of options out there right now. I have one week left in session after which I can sit down and see which, if any, of these opportunities would make sense for me and my family. Right now, I think today is about celebrating Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and her decades of distinguished service.”
▪ Rene Garcia: The term-limited Republican State. Sen from Hialeah (and former Ros-Lehtinen intern) says he’s thinking about it. “Is it something I would consider? Absolutely. I’ll think about it, but right now my mind is on the budget and trying to deliver for my constituents.”
▪ Matt Haggman: A Democrat, former Miami Herald reporter and current Miami Program Director for The Knight Foundation, Haggman said Sunday that he’s considering a run for District 27. “It’s something I’ve been actively thinking about for a while now,” he said.
▪ Carlos López-Cantera: “Ileana is leaving big shoes to fill,” Florida’s Republican lieutenant governor said Sunday. “Her service to South Florida has been exceptional. I’m humbled by the outpouring of support that is already coming in. I’m going to spend the next few days discussing it with my family and go from there.”
▪ David Richardson: The Democratic state representative, a Democrat from Miami Beach, says he’s definitely thinking about a run. “Over the next few days I’ll be talking with constituents, friends and supporters on how I can continue to best serve and represent my community.”
▪ José Javier Rodríguez: The junior State Senator and Democrat from Miami said in a text that he will give a campaign a “hard look” after the legislative session is over.
▪ Ken Russell: The Democratic Miami District 2 Commissioner didn’t rule out a run when asked Sunday if he’s considering a campaign for Congress. “I have received calls urging me to run for Congress. I can only say that up to now I had not considered it, and that we should use this time to thank Ileana for her many years of service to her constituents.”
▪ Marc Sarnoff: A Democrat and former Miami city commissioner, Sarnoff said he’s “looking carefully” at Ros-Lehtinen’s seat and will consult with his family.
