With U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart running in another district, this seat is vacant -- and has drawn major candidates from both parties.
Rep. David Rivera chased away some potential foes for the Republican nomination by his impressive fund-raising. But he has not cleared the field. Marine Corps vet and professor Paul Crespo stands in Riveras way for the Republican nod.
But Rivera has posted impressive numbers -- bringing in more than $1.2 million, with $1.1 million on hand. Crespo had just under $36,000 with $29,200 of that coming from his own funds.
Obama appointee Joe Garcia, who once chaired the Miami-Dade Democrats and ran for the seat in 2008, faces Luis Meurice for the Democratic nod. While Meurice has the backing of organized labor, including the state AFL-CIO, Garcia has crushed him when it comes to money. Garcia brought in more than $700,000 in the second quarter of 2010 and had more than $623,000 cash on hand. Meurcie had more than $37,000 in the bank.
Roly Arrojo is running as the Tea Party candidate, while Craig Porter is the first Floridian to run for office on the Whig line since the 1850s.
This will be one of the closest congressional races in Florida and, while there is no incumbent, it is worthy of national attention.
