Ryan Nicol
Democratic State Rep. Cindy Polo is supporting Javier Estevez as he attempts to turn House District 105 blue in 2020.
Estevez is the only Democratic candidate to file so far in the contest, making it easy for Democrats to get behind his campaign. A trio of Republican candidates are chasing the seat, which is being vacated by state Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez as she attempts a move to the Senate.
Polo’s House District 103 borders HD 105.
“Javier Estevez is the one meant for this seat,” Polo said in announcing her endorsement Thursday. “His hard work and determination as a candidate is proof that he will be the kind of State Representative that the residents of District 105 can be proud of.
‘The future of politics is changing and it’s time that elected officials look, sound and resemble the people they serve.”
Polo’s endorsement comes one day after Estevez kicked off his campaign in Naples with a fundraiser. HD 105 covers parts of Miami-Dade, Broward and Collier counties.
“As a proven advocate and fighter for her constituents, I am proud to have Representative Cindy Polo’s support,” Estevez said.
“Together in Tallahassee, we will continue to fight for the issues important to our communities like protecting quality public education, tackling affordable housing, and ensuring healthcare is accessible and affordable for all.”
This is the second straight cycle Estevez will compete for the HD 105 seat. He narrowly defeated Ross Hancock in the 2018 Democratic primary. In the general, Rodriguez defeated Estevez by a razor-thin 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent margin. That’s a difference of just 417 votes.
Two Republicans who have filed for the open contest have racked up plenty of money so far.
Attorney Bibiana Potestad has netted nearly $67,000 in just two months. In that same period, Sweetwater City Commissioner J. David Borrero collected more than $54,000.
A third Republican, Pedro Barrios, has raised just under $2,600 since filing to enter the race in late June.
Estevez has also been light on fundraising, adding a little more than $7,600 since entering the race in May. But in 2018, Rodriguez outraised Estevez by a $332,000 to $14,000 margin. Yet, Estevez still made it a tight race.
