Jesse Scheckner
Former Democratic state Rep. Robert Asencio’s bid to unseat Republican Carlos Giménez in Florida’s 28th Congressional District now has the backing of more than a dozen unions and advocacy organizations.
Asencio’s campaign announced a wave of 14 endorsements Thursday.
Unions endorsing him included AFL-CIO, Office and Professional Employees International Union, Transport Workers Union of America, Communications Workers of America, AFSCME, American Federation of Government Employees, International Union of Operating Engineers and a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Together, they claim memberships of more than 15.4 million people.
Asencio also received nods from BOLD PAC, Dedicated Dems of Florida City & Homestead, Democrats Serve, Empowering Engaged Muslim Americans and the Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus.
Asencio previously received an endorsement from Democratic former Governor and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who is running against incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In a statement, Asencio said he is “truly humbled and honored” to be endorsed by groups composed of “so many incredible advocates who are in the trenches, standing up for working families each and every day.”
“Too many politicians in Washington are only serving themselves — not the people — and Rep. Giménez is at the center of the problem,” he said. “I’m running for Congress to put people first.”
Asencio, who served one term in the Statehouse, soundly defeated Juan Paredes in the Democratic Primary for CD 28 last month with 69% of the vote.
Giménez, meanwhile, fended off two Primary challengers — Carlos Garin and Karl K.W. Miller — with 73% of ballots cast in his favor.
No-party candidate Jeremiah Schaffer is also running as a write-in option.
A former Miami-Dade County Mayor, Giménez overcame a funding disadvantage to defeat Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in 2020 and secure his seat in Congress, which post-redistricting has shifted to the new CD 28.
Mucarsel-Powell has since gone on to take a senior adviser role with gun reform advocacy group Giffords.
This time around, Giménez holds an edge in funding with more than $1.8 million raised so far.
Asencio, a late entrant to the race, has collected a comparatively paltry $27,500. His last run at public office was in 2020, when he unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez.
CD 28 covers the southernmost tip of Miami-Dade, including parts of Homestead, and all of the Keys in Monroe County and a huge chunk of the Everglades.
