Republican congressional candidate loses election ... for union president in Miami-Dade

Omar Blanco, a Republican candidate for Congress in a Miami-Dade district, has been unseated from his current post as president of the county’s firefighters union.

Blanco, running in the primary for the Fl-26 seat held by Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, lost his reelection bid in a landslide at the Metro Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403. Results posted this week on the union’s website showed Blanco receiving 438 votes to the 944 votes for winner Billy McAllister.

In an interview Friday night, Blanco said he considered letting his term expire while he ran for Congress. But after members told him they wanted an experienced candidate for president, Blanco said he decided to run and let the union decide. “I wanted to put it out there as an option,” Blanco said.

He praised McAllister as a smart candidate, and said he’s working with him in the transition.

In the primary, Blanco faces Irina Vilariño, co-owner of Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine. He also may face Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, a Republican who is considering joining the FL-26 race.

McAllister was not immediately available for comment Friday.