Ryan Ray
The Republican field of state House candidates continues to fill out this week as Hialeah Rep. Bryan Avila and District 54 hopeful William Sykes filed their paperwork and open campaign accounts ahead of 2016 elections.
Avila, a freshman lawmaker recently coming off a 60-40 November victory over Democrat Mariano Corcilli, is an English professor at Miami-Dade College, where he was once president of the Wolfson campus’ student government. Avila is also Vice-Chair of the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee and the county’s District 14 Republican Party committeeman. Avila replaced term-limited Rep. Eddie Gonzalez, also of Hialeah.
Sykes is a political newcomer seeking to succeed Vero Beach Rep. Debbie Mayfield, set to term out after four terms representing Indian River-based District 54. The district also includes a small part of St. Lucie county. It is 80% white and skews significantly in favor of Republicans.
Per Speaker Crisafulli’s 2014-2016 committee assignments, Avila will serve on the Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee as well as four policy committees. Under current term limit rules, he will be eligible to serve until 2022.
