Herald recommends: In Florida House District 119, best Democratic candidate is well-versed on the issues | Editorial

There are two candidates in this Democratic primary: private attorney James Cueva and activist Gabriel Gonzalez, a 2022 political science graduate from Columbia University in New York.

Cueva and Gonzalez are swimming upstream in the new District 119, which is viewed as favoring GOP candidates. Both have about $3,000 in their campaign coffers after $2,000 loans to themselves.

But they both are earnest candidates. We are impressed with the 22-years-old Gonzalez, a former Silver Knight winner, who is taking his first stab at politics, and he seems born for it.

In his questionnaire that the Editorial Board sends out, he explains he has no full-time job “since I just graduated from college.” He lists his experience as a Miami-Dade County Youth Commissioner District 1, an intern for former Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan C. Zapata and a member of many local Democratic clubs.

Cueva is new to the political arena, but has a deep knowledge of the issues facing Floridians.

Cueva and Gonzalez agree on most issues: the need to restore women’s reproductive rights, affordable housing, school safety and leaving classroom teaching to teachers.

Gonzalez is passionate about climate change and taking action.” If we don’t do something now, there will be nothing left for my children or grandchildren,” he told the Board. He does not own a vehicle, his contribution to decreasing his carbon footprint. We encourage Gonzalez to continue his civic engagement, gaining more experience on the ground.

Cueva said that, “The affordable housing crisis is the direst problem in this district, and the cost of homeowners insurance is largely to blame. If elected, that will be my priority to reform insurance in Florida and bring in more competition.”

Cueva has one blot on his record. He told the Board in his questionnaire that, in 2004, he was arrested in Miami for disorderly intoxication and battery on a law-enforcement officer. Cueva pleaded not guilty and the charges were eventually dropped. “This was the worst day of my life. I was at a Florida Marlins game with my mother; I had too much beer; a New York Mets fan was harassing my mother and knocked my glasses off. There was a fight; officers arrived and took us out,” he told the Board. “We all make mistakes, but this is a country of second chances.”

This incident occurred 18 years ago, and Cueva, already an attorney, was not reprimanded by the Florida Bar and he was not prosecuted. He told the Board that there never has been a similar incident since then.

We, too, believe in second chances. For his professional experience and knowledge of local issues, the Herald recommends JAMES CUEVA in the Florida House District 119 Democratic primary.

This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 3:22 PM.