The Diaz-Balart shake up
One of the things that I love about this state is that it is never dull. Florida politics have always been interesting and 2010 is proving to be no exception. Today, another interesting tid-bit coming from Miami: Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart will not see re-election.
For many this isn't really a surprise. Diaz-Balart has served since 1992 and signaled over the summer he would retire if Crist appointed him to the vacant Senate seat that LeMieux now occupies.
The interesting part is his brother, current Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, will run for Lincoln's seat. Why would a current Congressman, who has held the seat for years, want to run for a different Congressional seat? Apparently, because the seat is a safer Republican seat.
And so go the political dominoes.
State Senate Majority Leader, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, has said he is also interested in running for the seat. He is leaving the state Senate this year due to term limits.
Alex had this to say about the Congressional race:
"I have had the honor and privilege of serving my community as a state senator and I am seriously considering the opportunity to continue to fight for the people of Florida on a national level in the United State Congress. I will make my final decision soon after thoughtful and deliberate consideration."
As far as Mario's current seat goes, one Democratic name is already being floated as a candidate. Joe Garcia challenged Mario Diaz-Balart in the 2008 election and came within a few points of winning the seat. He currently works for the Obama administration as the Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact at the Department of Energy.
