Voters in select parts of Southwest Miami-Dade will have the opportunity to elect a new state representative in November.
An incumbent seeking reelection is facing off against a political newcomer for the newly redesigned District 118 seat. The district covers a stretch of the southwestern part of the county, mostly west of Florida’s Turnpike running south from Southwest Eighth to 232nd streets.
Here’s what to know about the two candidates vying for the spot.
Juan Fernandez-Barquin, an incumbent, is now running for his third term. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, an incumbent, is now running for his third term.
Juan Fernandez-Barquin
Fernandez-Barquin, who has been representing District 119, is now running for his third term through District 118 because of redistricting.
The Republican considers his priorities to be supporting small businesses, bringing conservative values to Tallahassee and finding solutions to traffic congestion. If reelected, he said he would address policy issues like homeowner insurance, property taxes and homeowner associations.
As a state representative, Fernandez-Barquin has been an ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis. In August, he was endorsed by the governor on Twitter.
Fernandez-Barquin sponsored HB1, the “Anti-Riot” bill in 2021, which passed in the Florida Senate, despite criticism of the bill trampling on Floridians’ rights and being part of a political move. This year, he sponsored the Parental Rights in Education bill, most commonly known as “don’t say gay,” which prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade.
Experience: State Representative, District 119; member of the Public Health Trust; Board of the Children’s Trust
Money raised: $474,413.06 as of Oct. 20
Johnny Farias, a political newcomer, is running for the District 118 seat.
Johnny Farias
Farias, a small business owner, is a political newcomer challenging Fernandez-Barquin. In 2020, he ran for the Miami-Dade County Commission, losing in the primary.
The Democrat lists his priorities as creating a trust fund to help seniors stay in their homes if taxes get too high, pushing for a law that would require a drunk driver who kills a parent with underage children to pay child support, and exploring ways to reform homeowners insurance.
In August, he was endorsed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, who lost her bid for governor in the primary.
Farias, who has marketed himself as an everyday person running for office, believes he would draw on the experience he gained through his career to serve the community. He said he understands the struggles people in the area grapple with — such as supporting their families with the economy — because he faces them as well.
In 2013, Farias declared bankruptcy after his business couldn’t collect on a major amount of work.
Experience: District 5 representative, Miami-Dade County Community Council; Board member for Centro Campesino; Former guardian ad litem; Served in Navy
Grethel covers courts and the criminal justice system for the Miami Herald. She graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!), speaks Spanish and Arabic and loves animals, traveling, basketball and good storytelling. Grethel also attends law school part time.
