Hialeah Republican state Rep. Alex Rizo is adding congressional backing to his bid for Senate District 39.<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Mario D\u00edaz-Balart, the longest-serving member of Florida\u2019s congressional delegation, is endorsing Rizo in what is now a two-candidate GOP Primary for SD 39.<\/p>\n
The nod adds to a roster of supporters that includes statewide officials, legislative leaders, local Mayors and first responder unions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am happy to endorse Alex Rizo for State Senator in District 39,\u201d D\u00edaz-Balart said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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!\u201d<\/p>\n
D\u00edaz-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.<\/p>\n
Other sitting officials supporting Rizo include Gov. Ron DeSantis<\/a>, CFO Blaise Ingoglia, Florida Senate President-designate Jim Boyd<\/a>, state Sen. Jay Trumbull, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz and Sweetwater Mayor Jos\u00e9 \u201cPepe\u201d D\u00edaz.<\/p>\n Former House Speaker Jos\u00e9 Oliva<\/a> has also endorsed him.<\/p>\n Organizations backing Rizo include Florida Professional Firefighters<\/a>, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police<\/a> and the South Florida Police Benevolent Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n Having D\u00edaz-Balart\u2019s support, Rizo said, is \u201ca tremendous honor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCongressman D\u00edaz-Balart has spent decades fighting for South Florida, standing up for freedom and delivering for the people he represents,\u201d Rizo said. \u201cMario 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.\u201d<\/p>\n A former Chair of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, Rizo announced his candidacy<\/a> for SD 39 on Sept. 1, opting to pursue the open Senate seat despite winning another term representing House District 112 unopposed in June.<\/p>\n