Herald endorsement: Our choice in Florida House District 119 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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On Nov. 5, the choice in House District 119 is between one-term incumbent Republican Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and Democratic challenger Marcos Reyes.
Reyes is a political newcomer and small business owner who said he understands what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. Insurance increases, rising rents, the constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights in Florida and the GOP’s decades-long lock on the Legislature spurred him to run, he told the Herald Editorial Board.
Porras, a political operative who now works with his family’s company and has his own food distribution business, became the youngest member of the Florida House when he was elected in 2022 at age 25.
In the Legislature, he has focused strongly on curbing abuses in homeowners’ associations, something he had promised to do. That’s important because District 119 includes The Hammocks, where an out-of-control HOA resulted in criminal prosecutions after investigators uncovered millions of dollars in missing homeowners fees. In the 2024 session, Porras successfully sponsored a bill designed to crack down on HOA fraud. That bill built on his HOA work from 2023, when he pushed through a “homeowners’ bill of rights” to improve oversight of the boards.
We commend Reyes for running and hope he will continue to engage in politics. We need more representatives in the Legislature who understand the tough economics of living here. (Both candidates identified the cost of living and homeowners’ insurance as key concerns in the district.) But Porras is our choice based on experience.
District 119 encompasses a swathe of unincorporated Miami-Dade that includes the West Kendall suburbs. Interestingly, no-party-affiliation voter registrations have virtually caught up with Republicans in this district, with Democrats trailing in third place.
Porras has been immersed in politics from a young age, elected to the local Republican Executive Committee at age 18, then becoming its executive committeeman. He was a constituent-service representative for U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, a district aide for former State Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin and a legislative aide for GOP State Reps. Alex Rizo and Spencer Roach.
Preventing more outrageous HOA abuses like those in The Hammocks — there were charges of racketeering, money laundering, fabricating evidence and using shell companies — is a non-partisan issue. Porras rightfully prioritized new HOA regulations in his first term, and he worked with Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, a Democrat, who prosecuted the case.
We part ways with Porras on homeowners’ insurance. He said he believes that the Legislature has done “a fantastic job” trying to stabilize the insurance market in Florida. While we have seen some stabilization, we continue to wait for actual relief for homeowners.
In the end, though, he was right to focus on homeowners’ rights and HOA abuses, issues that reflect his district’s needs.
The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses JUAN CARLOS PORRAS for Florida House District 119.
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 17, 2024 at 12:27 PM.
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