Herald endorsement: Our choice in Florida House District 120 election | Opinion

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated November 2, 2024 11:41 AM

In District 120 covering southern Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys, Democrat Michael Travis (left, who performs as drag queen Erika Rose) and Republican Jim Mooney are on the ballot.

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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In Florida House District 120, which spans the Florida Keys and southernmost Miami-Dade County and the Homestead area, voters will choose between two-term incumbent Republican Rep. James “Jim” Mooney and Democrat Michael Travis.

Travis, a political novice from Key West who is a drag queen and tour guide, seems to be running mostly to make a political point. He has raised little money and told the Herald Editorial Board he became a candidate in the hope that “queer voices ... get more representation in office.”

That’s a worthy goal; we agree that the Legislature needs to diversify its representation. Mooney, however, is the better candidate.

The former Islamorada mayor has been in the Legislature since 2020. He’s a Realtor and a former school teacher with deep roots in the Keys. He acknowledges the reality of sea rise in his district and successfully sponsored a bill last session that allows counties with areas of “critical state concern,” like the Keys, to use tourist development tax revenue for affordable housing, especially important in a tourist-driven economy.

In the Legislature, he voted against the parental-rights bill known as “Don’t say gay” but voted for the 15-week abortion ban. He says he is against the current, six-week abortion ban. (He missed the 2023 vote on that because his fiancee had a serious car accident in the Keys, and similarly missed the vote on the state’s anti-drag show law.)

Mooney said he is planning to vote “yes” on constitutional Amendment 4 to restore abortion rights.

He was behind a push to make Florida’s state bird the flamingo but that idea died in committee. (He hopes to try again.) He was able to carry a bill forward that re-christened State Road A1A as “Jimmy Buffet Highway,” for the late singer-songwriter so closely identified with Key West.

In the past, he has opposed bad anti-home rule legislation that reversed the will of Key West voters who limited cruise ships at the city’s port.

He said he is “neutral” on the proposed constitutional Amendment 3 to allow recreational marijuana in Florida. During an Oct. 14 interview, he said he still did not know which way he was going to vote. District 120 leans Republican, by about 38%, with Democrats coming in at 31% and no-party-affiliation registrations at about 28%.

Mooney said the No. 1 issue in the district is “insurance and insurance and insurance.” Property taxes and the lack of affordable housing, problems that adversely impact housing for workers, also weigh heavily.

He rightfully came out against a proposal last year that could have merged judicial circuits in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. He also voted against a bill that would have required Florida driver’s licenses to display a person’s sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity. (The bill ultimately failed.)

Mooney is a moderate Republican whose votes mostly reflect his one-of-a-kind district. The Miami Herald Editorial Board endorses JAMES “JIM” MOONEY for House District 120.

BEHIND THE STORY

Who 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 11:15 AM.