Republican Mike Redondo wins Miami-Dade state House special election

MIAMI – Republican Mike Redondo Tuesday defeated Democratic candidate Johnny Farias in the special election for Florida House District 118.

With nearly 8,800 ballots counted, Redondo collected 4,538 votes to Farias’ 3,997 votes, for a 51.8%-45.6% margin, per unofficial election results.

The victory was a low turnout hold for Republicans after Juan Fernandez-Barquin resigned to become Miami clerk of courts after being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Congratulations to Young Republican Mike Redondo, elected State Rep. in District 118!,” Miami Young Republicans said. “We look forward to working on Mike on issues that are important to YR voters.”

House District 118, part of Miami-Dade County, has over 113,000 registered voters. The turnout for the special election was under 8%.

According to data, the district is composed overwhelmingly by Latin Americans at 96%. The percentage also is more than double the rate of Florida’s 21% Latin American population.

Countywide, Hispanic/Latino residents account for almost 75% of Miami-Dade County’s population.

In 2022, Fernandez-Barquin collected over 39,000 votes to defeat Farias by a 68%-32% margin.

That same year, DeSantis defeated Democratic candidate Charlie Crist with an estimated 58% of the Hispanic vote, including nearly 70% with Cuban Americans.

A Cuban American, Redondo founded Redondo Law, P.A. He represents numerous Fortune 500 clients involving personal injury claims, wrongful death claims, products liability suits, and federal and state securities class actions.