Ryan Nicol
Incumbent Robert Asencio could face serious competition in November, as Republican rival Anthony Rodriguez surpassed $100,000 raised for his campaign. That’s after Rodriguez hauled in more than $10,000 in April alone.
Asencio, a Democrat, will look to hold on to his HD 118 seat despite being heavily outraised by Rodriguez. Asencio’s campaign has pulled in nearly $40,000, with nearly $30,000 of that still on hand. Compare that to Rodriguez, who has more than $73,000 available.
Asencio’s seat was always vulnerable, as he won in 2016 by the thinnest of margins. Asencio took in 50.04 percent of the vote, just barely edging out his Republican challenger, David Rivera, who received 49.96 percent of the vote.
Rodriguez also fought for the HD 118 seat in 2016 but lost to Rivera in the primary. Thus far in 2018, he’s running unopposed after Republican Luis Rolle withdrew. Asencio is also running unopposed.
HD 118 covers sections of Miami-Dade County including parts of Kendall and Tamiami. Rodriguez currently runs a business in Tamiami.
Before serving in the House, Asencio was a member of the Miami Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He also founded Florida Public Employees Partnership, a nonpartisan advocacy group for Florida public employees.
