Byron Donalds, the Republican candidate for governor of Florida supported by President Donald Trump, announced this Tuesday that Cuban-American state senator Bryan Ávila will be his running mate for the elections on November 3, where he will compete against Democrat David Jolly.
The event took place at the Tower of Liberty, in downtown Miami, a deliberately symbolic setting: this building served as the Cuban Refugee Center from 1962 to 1974, where hundreds of thousands of Cubans fleeing Fidel Castro's regime received assistance upon arriving in the United States. It is known as the "Ellis Island of the South."
A son of the Cuban exile in the formula
Ávila, 42 years old, was born and raised in Hialeah, the son of Cuban exiles who left the island, leaving behind their home and business.
“My parents fled from communist Cuba and left behind their home and their business. Because they knew what happens when the government takes control. When freedom disappears and when socialism turns opportunity into misery,” he said.
Ávila also championed the chosen location for the announcement: "For me, it is an honor to be here at the Tower of Freedom, because this is the beacon of liberty. My parents, like many of you, found that freedom here in the great state of Florida."
And he made a commitment before the audience:
"Socialism — I know where that path leads. Our families have experienced it. I can assure you this: with Byron Donalds as governor and me as lieutenant governor, socialism will never find a home in the great state of Florida."
What Donalds said about his election
On his X account, Donalds described Ávila with these words.
"Bryan Ávila is a military officer and a dedicated public servant who has spent his career fighting to defend freedom and reduce costs. He is also the son of Cuban exiles—this is a man who understands the Florida Dream and why we must defend it. I am proud to have him by my side."
During the event, he expanded on that portrayal:
"Bryan is a conservative fighter with over a decade in the Florida legislature achieving real results. He fought against woke ideology, sponsored the Stop WOKE Act, championing merit, individual freedom, and eliminating divisive agendas of diversity, equity, and inclusion."
About the difference with the Democratic rival, Donalds was blunt: “Jolly and Gwen Graham answer to the Democratic Socialists of America. We answer to the people of Florida.”
Ávila's journey in Tallahassee
Ávila arrived at the State House of Representatives in 2014 and remained there until 2022, when he was elected unopposed to the Florida Senate, where he represents District 39, which includes parts of Miami-Dade.
In his final years in the Chamber, he held the position of president pro tempore and was the main sponsor of the Stop WOKE Act.
In the Senate, he/she chairs the Finance and Taxation Committee and is the vice chair of the Transportation Committee.
In addition to his legislative work, he holds the rank of captain in the National Guard of the Florida Army, having commanded troops during hurricanes and state emergencies. He also serves as an educator and academic dean.
The strategic bet in Miami-Dade
The inclusion of Ávila responds to a clear electoral logic: to strengthen the candidacy among Hispanic voters in South Florida, particularly in Miami-Dade, the most populated county in the state.
Donalds won the Republican primary on August 18 with approximately 47.8% of the votes. The November contest will determine the successor of Governor Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek a third consecutive term.
Cuba has been a central focus in Donald's campaign: the candidate has described the Cuban government as a "brutal communist dictatorship and killer" and has promised to support Trump's and Rubio's pressure policies regarding the island.
If the Donalds-Ávila formula succeeds in November, the gubernatorial candidate would become Florida's first Black governor and, potentially, the first elected Black Republican governor in U.S. history.
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