Diaz To Face Taddeo In Special Senate Election

MIAMI, FL — Republican voters overwhelmingly chose State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz on Tuesday while Democrats chose Annette Taddeo to face off in a Sept. 26 special election for the Florida Senate seat left vacant by Frank Artiles. The embattled official resigned in April over the use of a racially charged slur in private conversations with two members. Both parties selected their nominees in special primary elections held on Tuesday.

With all precincts reporting, Felix Diaz received 57.76 percent of the vote for a total of 7,678 votes, according to unofficial results from Miami-Dade County. Diaz bested Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who received 25.56 percent of the vote, or 3,398 votes followed by Lorenzo J. Palomares, who received 16.68 percent of the vote or 2,217 votes. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Pinecrest Patch.)

Taddeo received 70.71 percent of the vote, or 7,101 votes as compared to her opponent, Ana Rivas Logan, who received 29.29 percent of the vote or 2,941 votes.

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Diaz resigned his Florida House seat effective Sept. 26 to make a run for the Florida Senate, a move that created a vacancy in House District 116.

In the race for Diaz' seat, Republican voters chose Daniel Anthony Perez over GOP opponent, Jose Mallea by a margin of 54.82 percent to 45.18 percent and 3,579 votes to 2,950. Perez will take on Democrat Gabriela Mayaudon in a Sept. 26 special election for that seat.

In his resignation letter from the Senate, Artiles apologized to constituents for his behavior.

"It is clear to me my recent actions and words that I spoke fell far short of what I expect for myself, and for this I am very sorry. I apologize to my family and friends and I apologize to all of my fellow senators and lawmakers," Artiles said in his letter. "To the people of my district and all of Miami-Dade, I am sorry I have let you down and ask for your forgiveness."

Artiles had previously apologized for more than three minutes on the floor of the Florida Senate saying his "harsh words have adversely reflected more on me than they could ever have on anyone else."

Both lawmakers who witnessed Artiles' racially charged rant were African-American Democrats. Artiles is a Republican.

State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz (left) will take on Annette Taddeo in a Sept. 26 special election. Photos courtesy of the candidates.