Miami elects first Cuban-American Democratic representative
Source: Chicago Tribune
MIAMI (Reuters) - A campaign finance scandal may have cost a South Florida Republican his congressional seat and handed victory to his challenger, who will be Miami's first Cuban-American Democratic representative.
Incumbent David Rivera, a fierce opponent of Cuba's communist government, was beaten by fellow Cuban-American Joe Garcia in Florida's 26th District by a margin of 54 percent to 43 percent, according to local media, which cited preliminary results from elections officials.
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Rivera, a one-term congressman, was backed by fellow Cuban-American Republicans, including rising political star Senator Marco Rubio and veteran Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In a bizarre twist, Rivera allegedly tried to interfere in August's Democratic primary by funneling at least $40,000 in cash to the campaign of Justin Sternad, a virtually unknown candidate running against Garcia, according to Hugh Cochran and John Borrero, who worked on the Sternad campaign.
Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-campaign-florida-congressbre8a60jt-20121106,0,6668475.story
The ethically challenged Rep. David Rivera goes down in flames. Only one question remains, where is Ana Alliegro? Oh and of course... will he go to jail for his multiple crimes?