‘Empathy, optimism’: Daniella Levine Cava endorses Hector Mujica for CD 28

The Mayor who succeeded Carlos Giménez in Miami-Dade’s top job now wants to replace him in Congress, too — but not herself.

Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County’s first-ever woman Mayor, is endorsing Hector Mujica for Florida’s 28th Congressional District, adding one of South Florida’s most prominent names to his growing list of backers.

Levine Cava has served as Mayor since 2020, when she succeeded Giménez, whom Mujica is now running to unseat. In 2024, she won re-election with overwhelming support.

She said in a statement accompanying the endorsement announcement Wednesday that Mujica, the son of immigrants, “understands the hopes and challenges facing so many South Florida families today.”

“Hector brings empathy, optimism, and a genuine belief that government should help people get ahead — not leave them behind,” she said.

“As we fight for South Florida’s future, we need leaders with fresh ideas and a real connection to the communities they hope to serve, and that’s why I’m proud to support Hector’s campaign for Congress.”

Mujica, a first-generation Venezuelan American and former Google executive, welcomed the endorsement.

“Mayor Daniella leads with compassion and a deep commitment to the people of our community,” he said. “I’m running for Congress to lower costs, expand opportunity, and make sure South Florida has a Representative who understands both our challenges and our potential.”

Levine Cava’s endorsement joins nods from U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego; U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández, Raul Ruiz and Adam Smith; former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo; and Senate candidate Alexander Vindman.

Mujica entered the CD 28 race in April after initially running for U.S. Senate.

Internal polling from late March showed Giménez leading Mujica by just 6 percentage points, with Mujica holding an advantage among independent voters — a narrow margin that has drawn growing national Democratic attention to the race.

To reach the General Election, Mujica must first win an Aug. 18 Democratic Primary against retired Navy Commander Phil Ehr, who lost to Giménez by 30 percentage points in 2024.

Ehr lives in CD 28, which spans part of Miami-Dade and all of Monroe County. Mujica lives in Hollywood, a Broward County municipality, state records show. Federal legislators are not required by law to live in the districts they serve, though they must live in the state.

The General Election is Nov. 3.