Ryan Nicol
The political arm of the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is endorsing Republican Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez as she seeks a shift to the Senate this November.
Rodriguez is competing for the open Senate District 39 seat. Sen. Anitere Flores currently holds the seat, but is barred from seeking reelection due to term limits.
Rodriguez is the lone Republican in the contest. The FRF is a statewide trade association representing Florida’s retailers. It serves as an offshoot of the National Retail Federation.
“I am grateful to be endorsed by the Florida Retail Federation,” Rodriguez said in a Thursday statement.
“South Florida business owners are the backbone of our economy. At a time of economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, we must ensure the retail industry in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties can rebound. I am proud to stand with the Florida Retail Federation and look forward to fighting alongside them for quality jobs, low taxes, and pro-growth economic policy.”
The FRF has sought to guide retailers through the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc across numerous sectors of the state’s economy.
Rodriguez has been the top fundraiser in the contest overall. Democratic Rep. Javier Fernández, who is also competing for the SD 39 seat, has worked to narrow the gap in recent months, but still trails Rodriguez in overall money raised and cash on hand.
Fernández is battling Daniel Horton-Diaz, a former District Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, for the Democratic nomination. Celso Alfonso, a non-party affiliated candidate, has also qualified for the contest.
SD 39 covers all of Monroe County and part of southern Miami-Dade County.
