Herald endorsement: Our choice in Florida House District 116 election | Opinion
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Editorial Board’s General Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming general elections on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, the Editorial Board interviewed and researched 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.
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Miami Rep. Danny Perez, a Republican from Westchester, is up for reelection Nov. 5 in District 116. Assuming he wins, he’ll become speaker of the Florida House, a prestigious post that often comes with benefits for the speaker’s home region.
Challenging Perez, an attorney is Democrat Nicolas Ramos, who has been fined for not filing campaign paperwork on time and did not respond to an invitation to speak to the Miami Herald Editorial Board.
Perez did respond. He is our choice for District 116.
First elected to the House in 2017, Perez has quickly matured into one of Florida’s most powerful Republican politicians. If elected, he’ll lead the discussion on high-impact issues such as property insurance costs, affordability and the condo crisis.
Perez insists he has “no agenda” for the session, though he says “affordability” is the big issue in his own district.
“I’m excited to see the membership roll out what they believe are their priorities and then we’ll see what needs to be done,” he told the Board. “We’re so different and diverse in the state. I’m a completely different member than someone from Clay County or Duval, or Pensacola.”
Some of the issues he does identify include addressing affordability and implementing property insurance reforms, as the impact of recent hurricanes on insurance rates becomes clear. And he wants to expand a successful pilot program for the developmentally disabled in Miami and Tampa. That one is personal; his younger brother is developmentally disabled.
He was reelected in 2020 even though he was targeted for defeat by a powerful member of the Miami delegation, outgoing House Speaker José Oliva of Miami Lakes. The son of Cuban immigrants, Perez made headlines when political opponents attacked him for taking a 2017 trip to Cuba with his then-fiancee.
Perez told the Board he is voting against constitutional Amendments 3 and 4, which deal with legalizing recreational marijuana and restoring abortion rights in Florida.
He also said he’s opposed to government-backed low- or no-interest loans for South Florida condo owners facing large assessments and insurance hikes due to new state condo laws enacted after the Surfside Champlain Towers collapse.
“I don’t believe that the government should be getting involved in bailing out certain individuals at the expense of other Floridians,” he said.
If Perez becomes speaker, he should lead on the issue of finding relief for condo owners. He’ll also have a shot at turning the Legislature away from culture wars and back to the more pressing business of the state. We hope he takes those opportunities.
The Herald Editorial Board endorses DANIEL A. PEREZ to represent Florida House District 116.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho 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 October 15, 2024 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Herald endorsement: Our choice in Florida House District 116 election | Opinion."
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