Nelson Rodriguez files to run for Florida House of Representatives

Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Nelson Rodriguez is running for the Florida House of Representatives indicating seven years as a council member and veteran fighter helped prepare him for addressing state-wide issues such as transportation, health and social services and education.
Rodriguez delivered a video announcement on Facebook during the Fourth of July celebration.
He said he’s seeking incumbent Cindy Polo’s District 103 seat which includes Miramar, Miami Lakes, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Doral and unincorporated areas.
The general election is scheduled for August 2020 and the primary is set for November during the presidential race.
“For the past seven years, I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the Miami Lakes Town Council, first as a council member and now as vice mayor,” Rodriguez said in his campaign-like video. “Together with my family I have decided to run for House Seat 103.”
Rodriguez, who’s forced to leave office in Miami Lakes since term limits ban him for running in the town’s 2020 election, said 30-plus years as a firefighter also prepared him to handle hot-button issues in the State Capitol.
“As a veteran firefighter with more than 30 years of service, I understand team work and the sacrifice public service requires,” said the Coral Gables firefighter. “As a councilmember, I managed to keep our taxes low and improved our services.”
Rodriguez has lived in Miami Lakes since 1992 and served as president of the Windmill Gate Homeowners Association and coordinator of the Miami-Dade PTA Council. He was also a member of the Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board.
He first won a seat on the Miami Lakes Town Council in 2012 and was reelected in 2016.
Rodriguez and former Councilmember Tony Lama initiated the first traffic summit in Miami Lakes where the state and county braintrust gathered to create solutions for the ongoing traffic gridlock.
A third traffic summit took place last month at Miami Lakes Town Hall.
According to Miami-Dade County Elections Department, Polo and Rodriguez are the only candidates who has filed papers to run in the election.
Rodriguez is the second Miami Lakes council member to run for state representative.
Former Councilmember Frank Mingo unsuccessfully ran against Polo in 2018.