Herald endorsement: No good choice for voters in U.S. House District 26 | Opinion

By the Miami Herald Editorial Board

Updated November 2, 2024 11:41 AM

Republican U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz Balart faced Democrat Joey Atkins in November.

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.

Expand All

In the November election, Republican U.S. Rep Mario Diaz Balart, who has been a member of Congress since 2002, is seeking a 12th term representing District 26. He’s challenged by Democrat Joey Atkins, an attorney who lives in Wynwood, who said he is running because he thinks the district deserves someone who works harder for them.

District 26 is a challenge to represent because it is very diverse, stretching across the state from Miami-Dade County — Wynwood, Overtown, Hialeah and Doral — to Collier County, including parts of Immokalee, Everglades City and Naples.

We are not endorsing either candidate.

After 20 years, Diaz-Balart is an established figure in Congress. He’s part of a prominent, Cuban-American political family and has always made the Cuban-exile community central to his political work. He served in the state Legislature, both House and Senate, before he was elected to the U.S. House in 2002.

Atkins, who had raised just over $36,000 by the end of September compared with Diaz-Balart’s nearly $2.2 million, identified housing costs as key issues in the district, along with a lack of public transit. He said abortion rights are important to him as well.

Diaz-Balart has long been the point person on Everglades restoration funding. He told the Herald Editorial Board that he’s secured about $1.5 billion in Everglades funding in recent years and another $36 million for coral health. He is also proud of helping seaports, including PortMiami, obtain funding for fumigation of container imports, such as produce, that could introduce invasive pests. Without this, he said, Miami’s port could not remain competitive.

He is deeply familiar with foreign policy, especially regarding Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. In countries with repressive regimes, he favors pressuring the governments, economically and diplomatically, but helping the people.

Immigration reform is another longtime focus for Diaz-Balart — “And I have the knives and scars to show for it,” he said. His “Secure the Border Act of 2023” would, if passed, require restarting construction of a wall at the southern border and increase the number of Border Patrol agents, among other elements. It passed the House a year ago and went nowhere in the Senate.

He has helped obtain funding for school hardening, noting that he has worked alongside Max Schacter of Safe Schools for Alex, whose son was killed during the 2018 Parkland shooting.

We are encouraged that Diaz-Balart spoke with the Editorial Board — unlike his GOP colleagues in the local congressional delegation who are also up for reelection — because dialogue is the best way to find common ground and gain perspectives, both of which are sorely needed right now. His opponent also spoke with us.

Diaz-Balart knows his district. He is an effective congressman. No doubt he will be returned to office.

But we cannot overlook his votes to back Donald Trump and try to overturn the results of Joe Biden’s victory in battleground states, saying he believed “electors in some states were selected in an unconstitutional manner.” In an interview, he stuck to that idea, telling the Editorial Board, “it was the right decision at the time.”

He also voted against creation of the Jan. 6 commission and voted against impeaching the president. At the time, he said the country should focus on healing.

Clearly, that has not worked. Diaz-Balart’s votes continue to be relevant almost four years later; Trump is on the ballot again, within a hair’s breadth of becoming president.

The Herald Editorial Board makes NO ENDORSEMENT in Florida’s U.S. House District 26.

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 25, 2024 at 4:19 PM.