Hialeah Republican state Rep. Alex Rizo is adding congressional backing to his bid for Senate District 39.
U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, the longest-serving member of Florida’s congressional delegation, is endorsing Rizo in what is now a two-candidate GOP Primary for SD 39.
The nod adds to a roster of supporters that includes statewide officials, legislative leaders, local Mayors and first responder unions.
“I am happy to endorse Alex Rizo for State Senator in District 39,” Díaz-Balart said.
“He has been a true leader in this community and at the state level, and I look forward to working with him to further improve the lives of our constituents. Alex has my full support!”
Díaz-Balart has been a member of the U.S. House since 2003, before which he served in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. He is the current Chair of the House Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State and Related Programs, and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Other sitting officials supporting Rizo include Gov. Ron DeSantis, CFO Blaise Ingoglia, Florida Senate President-designate Jim Boyd, state Sen. Jay Trumbull, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz and Sweetwater Mayor José “Pepe” Díaz.
Former House Speaker José Oliva has also endorsed him.
Organizations backing Rizo include Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Having Díaz-Balart’s support, Rizo said, is “a tremendous honor.”
“Congressman Díaz-Balart has spent decades fighting for South Florida, standing up for freedom and delivering for the people he represents,” Rizo said. “Mario understands our community, our values and the challenges facing our families, and I look forward to working alongside him to make sure South Florida has strong Republican leaders fighting for our community.”
A former Chair of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, Rizo announced his candidacy for SD 39 on Sept. 1, opting to pursue the open Senate seat despite winning another term representing House District 112 unopposed in June.
He hopes to succeed Bryan Ávila, who resigned in August to run for Lieutenant Governor alongside Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds.
Ávila’s Senate term would have continued through 2028.
Rizo’s only announced opponent so far is state Rep. David Borrero, a fellow Hialeah Republican.
Republicans account for 44.6% of district voters, compared with Democrats’ 21.5%.
President Donald Trump carried SD 39 by 38 percentage points in 2024.
SD 39 includes all or portions of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Sweetwater and Virginia Gardens in Miami-Dade.
The state’s published schedule of Special Elections does not yet include a date for SD 39. DeSantis’ Office said to “stay tuned” for more information shortly after Ávila stepped down.