Elections

Here are the Miami Herald Editorial Board’s recommendations for 2022 primary elections

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated August 23, 2022 9:14 AM

The U.S. Capitol Building, in Washington, D.C. AP

Miami Herald Editorial Board Election Recommendations

In advance of local and state elections, the Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on various issues and how their policies will affect their constituents. The goal is to give voters a better idea of who’s the best candidate for each race. Read our 2022 recommendations below:

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Primary election day is Tuesday, August 23, but many voters already are casting vote-by-mail ballots or taking advantage of early voting.

There’s a lot at stake in Miami-Dade County and across the state. Voters are electing judges, school board members and county commissioners, which are nonpartisan seats. Judges run countywide. Voters also will select candidates who will face each other for the state Legislature and Congress in the November elections. Democrats will decide who will run against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in the fall.

Since Florida is a “closed” primary state, registered Democrats vote in Democratic primary contests and registered Republicans vote in races featuring Republican candidates. That means your ballot may look different from your neighbor’s down the street, depending on your party affiliation.

With dozens of contests and candidates to evaluate, the Miami Herald Editorial Board is committed to helping you make sense of it all. The Editorial Board interviews candidates in both partisan and universal contests.

Here are our choices:

UNIVERSAL PRIMARY CONTEST

REGISTERED REPUBLICANS ONLY

State Representative, District 106

Fabián Basabe

State Representative, District 113

Vicki Lopez

State Representative, District 118

Juan Fernandez-Barquin

State Representative, District 119

Ashley Alvarez

State Representative, District 120

James “Jim” V. Mooney Jr

Representative in Congress, District 24

Lavern Spicer

REGISTERED DEMOCRATS ONLY

Governor

Charlie Crist

State Senator, District 34

Shevrin “Shev” Jones

Attorney General

Dan Uhlfelder

Commissioner of Agriculture

Ryan Morales

Representative in Congress, District 24

Frederica Wilson

Representative in Congress, District 27

Annette Taddeo

Representative in Congress, District 28

Robert Asencio

State Representative, District 106

Jordan W. Leonard

State Representative, District 107

Christopher Benjamin

State Representative, District 108

Dotie Joseph

State Representative, District 109

Ashley Gantt

State Representative, District 113

Alessandro “A.J.” D’Amico

State Representative, District 119

James A. Cueva

State Representative, District 120

Daniel “Dan” Horton-Diaz

Miami Beach ballot

All six referendum items

YES

BEHIND THE STORY

Who decides the political endorsements?

In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.

What does the endorsement process look like?

The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.

Is the Editorial Board partisan?

No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.

This story was originally published August 5, 2022 at 10:57 AM.