Drew Wilson
A second candidate has filed to take over for term-limited Republican Rep. Michael Bileca in 2018.
Vance Aloupis, the CEO of the Children’s Movement of Florida, filed to run for the seat as a Republican Wednesday. Currently, the only other candidate running for the seat is Republican Carmen Sotomayor, who unsuccessfully ran for HD 117 back in 2014.
“For the past seven years, I’ve traveled throughout every part of Florida to bring attention to our state’s most valuable natural resource — our children,” Aloupis said. “It’s with that continued commitment to education and opportunity for all — founded within a steadfast determination to serve both my district and our state — that I proudly announce my candidacy for the Florida House.”
Aloupis is a University of Miami alumnus, graduating with both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. The 33-year-old spent a few years practicing law before he saw a need for education reform in the state and joined up with the Children’s Movement, a group founded by former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence that champions children’s issues such as improving voluntary pre-K and securing health insurance for all children.
“As we eagerly anticipate the 2018 election, I look forward to meeting with the voters in District 115 and discussing our community’s priorities so I can best represent them in Tallahassee,” Aloupis added.
HD 115 covers part of Miami-Dade County, including parts of Pinecrest, South Miami and Palmetto Bay. It is a majority Hispanic district and Republicans hold a lead in voter registrations. Bileca has had no trouble holding on to the seat against Democratic challengers, winning his most recent re-election campaign with about 54 percent of the vote.
