It was disappointing to read the recommendation of my opponent for Florida House District 112. Just a few months ago, The Miami Herald declined to recommend Alex Diaz de la Portilla in the Republican primary citing the “overwhelming need for moderation and bipartisanship” in Tallahassee.

I couldn’t agree more. As was pointed out, my opponent lacks the sense of bipartisanship and moderation that our community needs, having consistently voted in lockstep with the most conservative elements of his party’s leadership.

Unlike my opponent, who voted for a “controversial proposal to gut the class-size amendment,” I’m committed to making public education our top priority. Part of achieving this will be ending lobbyist-driven tax giveaways not related to job creation so that we can put the focus back on our families’ futures and protect programs that make higher education more affordable for our students. More important, I will work with other members of the South Florida delegation to fight increases in property insurance rates and taxes and fees on middle-class families like those my opponent voted for during his time in the Florida Senate.

It’s time we had leaders in Tallahassee who are committed to Florida’s long-term prosperity and to increasing opportunities for our families.

Given the opportunity to serve District 112, I will continue to focus on a brighter future for everyday working families and stand up to Tallahassee insiders. Unfortunately, my opponent is one of those insiders, a politician who has rubber-stamped many of the policies that created the problems we now face.

Jose Javier Rodriguez, candidate,

State House District 112, Miami