Republican Omar Blanco is running for reelection to Florida House District 115 in south Miami-Dade County. The district covers Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest and the unincorporated neighborhoods of The Falls, Kendall and Westchester.

Blanco won the 2024 general election for the seat by nearly 19 percentage points, according to Florida Politics. He faces Democratic challenger Marcos Reyes in the general election on Nov. 3. Blanco is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Florida House of Representatives, District 115
  • Birthplace: Miami
  • Family: Married for over 23 years to Carolina Blanco, a Miami-Dade Public Schools teacher with more than 15 years of experience, according to his campaign website
  • Religion: Catholic

Experience and public service

Blanco says he is a 20-year veteran and captain with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, according to his campaign website. He serves as president of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Paramedics Local 1403, according to BallotReady profile data.

He is a member of Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force One, according to his Florida House profile.

Blanco says he was honored as the 2020 Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year during a ceremony at the Florida State Capitol on Sept. 30, 2021, according to his campaign website.

He also operates a political committee called "Let's Get Back to Basics," registered with the Florida Division of Elections, according to Florida Politics. He is term-limited out of the Florida House in 2032, according to LobbyTools.

His campaign features an initiative called "On the Job with OB," which Blanco describes as working side by side with local business owners and their teams to understand day-to-day challenges and how public policy can better support them, according to his campaign website.

On the issues

Blanco sponsored HB 1241, a hands-free driving bill, in the Florida Legislature, according to LobbyTools. His campaign website says he has worked to advance distracted driving reforms to help keep Florida's streets safer for families.

On his campaign website and through BallotReady responses, Blanco says he supports:

  • Public safety and first responders: Advancing cancer coverage protections for firefighters and enhancing public safety
  • Taxes and budget: Keeping taxes low and supporting small businesses through targeted tax relief
  • Insurance: Addressing soaring property insurance rates
  • Education: Safeguarding parental rights in education
  • Local government: Championing responsible funding and appropriations for cities, districts and local organizations

Blanco also says he supports protecting seniors, according to his campaign website.

Endorsements

Blanco has received endorsements from the following organizations, as reported by the sources listed:

  • Florida Chamber of Commerce, according to FL Voice News
  • Associated Industries of Florida, according to FL Voice News
  • United Teachers of Dade, according to BallotReady profile data

The general election is Nov. 3.