If Tony J. Diaz wins the District 113 State Representative seat in the Florida House, will he be comfortable in a suit and tie?

“I’m more of a golf shirt and slacks kind of guy,” Diaz said. “That’s what I’ll be bringing to Tallahassee. From what I’ve seen, a lot of people are focused on their photo ops rather than passing actual legislation.”

Casual, contemporary and confident perhaps are the best adjectives to describe Diaz, a businessman, family man and someone who is quite familiar with the woes affecting the Miami area, where he’s lived his entire life.

Diaz, 31, was disappointed a week ago when Miami-Dade County’s Board of County Commissioners decided not to commit to a special election to fill the seat vacated by Eileen Higgins, who has advanced to a Dec. 9 runoff for Miami Mayor, the first such runoff since 2001 for the city’s top post.

Instead, Commissioners voted 7-5 to hand the seat to Vicki Lopez, who gave up her District 113 House seat after winning an election in 2022 with 51% of the votes and getting re-elected in 2024. Diaz was among five candidates for the Board seat.

Immediately, he was the first to toss his hat in the ring for the legislative seat, “and, hopefully, I’ll be the last one standing,” he said.

‘Florida’s not for sale’

Diaz grew up in Miami and attended La Salle Academy, where he met many of his friends from Key Biscayne.

In high school, he was president of the Student Council and an “ardent member” of the Debate Team for four years before enrolling at Florida International University to obtain his degree in Public Administration.

His endeavor into politics began about 13 or 14 years ago, later helping Dan Gielchinsky get elected as Surfside’s City Commissioner in 2016 and helping others “who weren’t so lucky.”

“Vicki has done a great job in Tallahassee,” he said. “Everyone knows she’s had some trouble in the past, but she left that in the past, and passed a lot of bills, working with Republicans and Democrats, and I’d like to do that. Thirteen years ago, when I was doing this, there wasn’t that animosity (between parties), so I do kind of miss that.” Diaz has filed as a Republican, saying, “I’m pretty moderate based on how the party is going now.”

One of his campaign platforms is titled “Florida’s not for sale.”

“Florida is in the clutches of special interests,” he said in his message to voters. “All around us, lobbyists and irresponsible political players sell out your voice and prey on our busy lives to line their own pockets. I will be a watchdog that you can depend on.”

He also wants to work to ensure that elections “are as clean as can be” by proposing laws that help Supervisor of Election officials across Florida eliminate questionable activity.

“I purposely have stayed out of the fray,” Diaz said, regarding campaign contributions. “We have a strong fund-raising base with our friends and family, and not depending on some Joe Schmo handing out money with strings attached.”

Another of his platforms is to “provide legislation to empower law enforcement to keep our streets clear of crime.” “It pains me to see the growing pains facing Florida,” he said in his message to voters. “I know that a properly run State Government can easily handle these challenges and more.”

Familiar with Key Biscayne

Diaz is quite familiar with Key Biscayne, having spent “almost every weekend” as a youngster going to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.

“Then, when I was 14, I went to Miami Beach for the first time, and I’m like, ‘What is this?’ ” he said, laughing.

Diaz still enjoys meeting longtime friends on Key Biscayne, such as attorney and Islander News columnist H. Francis Reaves, whose campaign he managed when she ran for Village Council.

He’s also touched base with each current Council member to see what priorities need attention should he win the District 113 House seat, which also represents Brickell, Coconut Grove and Little Havana, for example.

That election will soon take place, likely in early 2026, upon the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis. In the meantime, Diaz’s campaign signs are ready, he’s been appearing on talk shows, and has been rallying his supporters through various forms of social media.

The political signs come from his associates at Quixote Ad Group, Inc., in Miami, where he’s been the longtime president.

A year ago, Diaz also started a fruit tree nursery, Giardino Fresco, at 2264 SW 22nd Ave., where he lives with his wife, Maria, who works remotely for a travel company, and their 2-year-old daughter, Alexandra.

Grafting fruit trees, he said, has been a work in progress. “I’ve always liked the gardening part and growing fruit trees, but I almost underestimated what’s all going into that, a lot more science than what we would think,” he said. “But, it’s interesting.”

Now, he is focusing on winning the Governor’s Special Election for the House seat.

“You have to believe you are going to win, drink your own Kool-Aid, as they say,” Diaz said, who is relying on his “local clout.”

“I think it’s hard for someone to beat us in a primary and even harder in a general election (later in 2026).”

He said his friends are “lined up around the block” with their in-kind contributions. “I’ve had to tell them, slow down,” he said.

Diaz is looking forward to some good candidate debates, too, with plenty of banter. But he’ll be patient.

“I’ve learned that it’s important to do a lot of listening during a debate,” he said. “You can actually learn some cool stuff.”

(Note: Follow Tony Diaz’s run for State Representative a: votetonyjdiaz.com or contact him by email at tonyjdiaz22@gmail.com or by phone at 786-774-2125.)