Herald endorsement: The best choice in Florida House District 107 primary election | Opinion
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Miami Herald Editorial Board’s 2024 Election Endorsements
In advance of the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 20, 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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Six Democrats are vying to go to Tallahassee to represent one of Miami-Dade’s most solidly Black districts, which stretches along the Miami-Broward county line.
The Florida House District 107 seat, which represents half of Miami Gardens, North Miami Beach, North Miami, and Biscayne Gardens, was left open when incumbent Christopher Benjamin decided to run for Miami-Dade County judge.
There are no Republicans, independents, write-ins or third-party candidates running for this seat, so the Aug. 20 Democratic primary will decide who wins and is open to all qualified voters in the district.
The district is 60% Black and it is home to many Haitian American residents, Hispanics and Orthodox Jews.
The candidates are: Wallace Aristide, 60, an educator and former Miami-Dade school principal; Loreal Arscott, 42, an attorney and chair of the Miami-Dade Independent Civilian Panel, created by the county for civilian oversight of the Miami-Dade police department; Monique Barley-Mayo, a grant writer and community activist who unsuccessfully ran for Miami-Dade mayor in 2020; Wancito Francius, 48, owner of a security company; Faudlin Pierre, 41, a civil rights attorney; and Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo, 40, an educator and community activist.
There is already a controversy in the race. Francius was a registered Republican but switched to the Democratic party in July 2023, about six weeks too late to comply with a state law intended to prevent last-minute party switches ahead of elections. Francius disputes this claim. Regardless, he appears on the Democratic ballot.
All the candidates met with the Herald Editorial Board and said District 107 struggles with poverty, income inequality, exorbitant rental prices, the high cost of property insurance, homelessness and rising crime. They said that, historically, Tallahassee has not adequately addressed the needs of this district.
In the crowded field, three candidates impressed the Board: Arscott, Pierre and Sanon-Jules Olivo, who truly loves her district and wants to improve it.
“Our residents deserve a safe place to raise their families,” Arscott told the Board. Property taxes and home insurance is pushing some middle-class families out of the district. “We need to help them stay in their homes.”
Pierre told the Board: “Affordability, crime, and education are top issues, but we have to address the insurance crisis.” He has ideas, including making Citizens, the state insurance of last resort, more affordable and attracting more insurance companies to the state.
While the other candidates offer years of experience in education and business, Arscott’s extensive background in advocacy and public policy make her uniquely qualified on day one.
Her 15 years of experience as an attorney, mediator and hearing officer give Arscott the edge. Her work as an assistant city attorney in Miami Gardens will help her understand the complexities of lawmaking. Her leadership on the civilian police review panel, where she brought diverse members together to create the panel from scratch, also helps.
Pierre and Sanon-Jules Olivo are young, enthusiastic activists who should seek public office again.
The Miami Herald endorses LOREAL ARSCOTT in the Democratic primary for Florida House District 107.
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 July 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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