Rep. Alex Rizo just landed the endorsement of the man who controls when his election will happen.
Term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Rizo, a Hialeah Republican, for Senate District 39, which will be filled through a Special Election that DeSantis hasn’t yet called.
“Happy to support Alex Rizo for Florida Senate, district 39. As a member of the FL House, Alex has worked hard to advance policies that have made our state the Free State of Florida,” DeSantis wrote on X.
“I have no doubt he will continue the fight in the Florida Senate and will make Hialeah proud. Get it done, Alex!”
The support is mutual. Rizo was among the state lawmakers who backed DeSantis over President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential Primary.
Rizo’s sole GOP Primary opponent now, Hialeah Republican Rep. David Borrero, has touted being one of the first five Florida legislators to back Trump’s comeback bid.
DeSantis’ support adds to endorsements this week from Senate President-designate Jim Boyd, Sen. Jay Trumbull, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo and Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz.
The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police is also backing him, citing his sponsorship of the 2024 “Halo” law.
Rizo, a six-year House member and former Chair of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, entered the race Sept. 1.
“I have worked closely with Gov. DeSantis through the years, and now I am ready to continue fighting in the Senate for the conservative values and common-sense policies that have made the ‘Free State of Florida’ the very best in America,” he said at the time.
SD 39 covers all or parts of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Sweetwater and Virginia Gardens.
Trump carried the district by 38 points in 2024.
The seat opened last month when Miami Springs Republican Bryan Ávila resigned to become GOP gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds’ running mate.