One-term Florida House Rep. Luis Garcia, a Democrat, is opposed by Republican Jorge Lopez. This is a spirited race between two men with contrasting styles and political philosophies. The winner will represent Key Biscayne, South Beach, Little Havana and downtown Miami. Mr. Garcia, 62, is a retired Miami Beach fire chief who served two terms on the Miami Beach Commission, beginning in 1999. Mr. Lopez, 47, is an attorney and lobbyist who served as former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas' chief of staff.

Our choice is for Mr. Garcia, who acquitted himself with professionalism during his first term. It is tough to get things done when you're a freshman lawmaker and a member of the minority party. Mr. Garcia didn't let that intimidate him. He supported windstorm-insurance reform and tax-relief measures, though he warns that any further tax reforms must not be ''one size fits all.'' His peers named him vice chairman of the Miami-Dade Delegation. As such, he worked to keep the delegation on the same page to bring more dollars back to the county. The state Democratic Party appointed him its vice chairman.

Mr. Garcia spearheaded a drive to compensate Alan Crotzer, who was imprisoned for 24 years for two rapes he didn't commit. The Legislature awarded Mr. Crotzer $1.2 million. Mr. Garcia maintains that Miami-Dade County gets less than its fair share from Tallahassee. His priorities for the next session are to defend funding for public education in the face of the projected revenue shortfall again next year, create tax relief for first-home buyers and small business owners, push for more windstorm-insurance reform and expand KidCare.

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