Donalds presented Ávila this Tuesday, August 25 at an event held at the historic Freedom Tower, in downtown Miami. The choice of location added a strong symbolic load to the announcement. The building served as a reception and orientation center for thousands of Cubans who escaped Fidel Castro’s regime during the first decades of exile.
Ávila, 42, was born and raised in Hialeah, the son of Cuban exiles, has more than a decade of experience in the Florida Legislature and belongs to the Florida Army National Guard. He currently represents District 39 in the state Senate, which includes parts of Miami-Dade.
His addition to the ballot also gives Donalds a figure with political and cultural ties to South Florida and with previous participation in two of his campaign initiatives aimed at veterans and Hispanic voters.
“He is a fighter who defends individual freedom,” said Donalds when introducing his running mate. The candidate also highlighted his support for tax reductions, his opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and his participation in initiatives related to the protection of Florida’s natural resources.
Donalds and Ávila present the election as an ideological battle
The announcement in Miami allowed both candidates to advance one of the messages that will likely occupy an important place in the campaign for the general elections.
Donalds presented the race not as a simple election between Republicans and Democrats, but as a dispute between two conceptions of the role of government.
“Democrats think government is the answer. We believe the answer is freedom,” he said.
The congressman recalled that he arrived in Florida at the age of 17 “loaded with dreams” and linked his personal story with the experience of Ávila’s family.
“Bryan Ávila is the son of Cuban exiles who left their country so that their son could live in freedom,” said Donalds.
“We do not inherit political surnames, we do not inherit political interests; what we did inherit were the responsibilities of fighting for the state that gave our families everything,” he added.
Ávila also resorted to his family’s experience when thanking Donalds for the trust to accompany him on the ballot.
“Our families, like many of yours, found freedom here,” he said.
The Cuban-American senator used that argument to question the positions of his Democratic adversaries.
“When I hear Democrats embrace socialism so lightly, I know where this path leads. Our families have lived it,” said Ávila.
“I can assure you that with the government of Donalds and Ávila, socialism will never find a place in the great state of Florida,” he added.
Who is Bryan Ávila?
Ávila’s career combines politics, education and military service.
Born in Hialeah, he graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School in 2002. He later earned an associate degree from Miami Dade College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Miami, as well as two master’s degrees from Florida International University.
Before consolidating his political career he was linked to higher education. Between 2009 and 2014 he served as an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College and subsequently taught at Broward College.
Ávila arrived at the Florida House of Representatives in 2014 and remained there until 2022. During his last years in that institution he held the position of president pro tempore.
He was later elected unopposed to the Florida Senate.
He currently chairs the Finance and Taxes Committee and is vice-chairman of the Transportation Committee. He is also part of the Environment and Natural Resources, Ethics and Elections, Fiscal Policy and Rules committees.
During his legislative career he has promoted tax exemptions and relief for homeowners, seniors, first responders and other essential service workers.
Likewise, he supported the so-called Law of Individual Freedom, known as Stop WOKE Actone of the main measures promoted by Florida Republicans against certain content related to race and discrimination in educational institutions and labor programs.
In environmental matters, Ávila has participated in proposals related to the protection of the Everglades, the restoration of reefs and the replanting of mangroves.
Military career of Bryan Ávila
Adding to his political career is his service in the Florida Army National Guard, which he joined in April 2016.
During his military preparation he completed the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course as an honor graduate and served as a Human Resources officer. He also earned a position on the Commandant’s List and received a leadership award.
Throughout his service he has received different decorations and recognitions, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Reserve Medal of Merit, Army Service Ribbon, Florida Commendation Medal, Florida State Active Duty Ribbon, Florida Retention Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
His military experience also became relevant during the Donalds campaign. Since September 2025, Ávila has been one of the co-chairs of Veterans for Byrona coalition of veterans created to support the congressman’s candidacy for Governor.
Property taxes among your priorities
Fiscal policy has occupied a central place in Ávila’s recent legislative activity.
The senator played a major role in a proposal to reduce property taxes in Florida and expand up to $250,000 the portion of the value of a primary home that would be exempt from certain local taxes, without affecting levies intended to finance schools.
The proposal requires an amendment to the state Constitution, so Florida voters will have the final say at the polls in November.
Ávila used the announcement of his candidacy for lieutenant governor to highlight that work.
“I fought for property tax relief, because your home should not become an ATM for the government,” he said.
The legislator also highlighted his work to protect consumers from possible increased utility bills related to high electricity and water consumption by data centers.
“I fought against wasteful public spending, because every dollar the government spends comes first from someone’s salary,” he said.
Ávila assured that this philosophy would be transferred to the Executive Branch if the Republicans win the elections.
“Together with Governor Byron Donalds we will ensure that the Florida government works for the taxpayer, and not the other way around,” he stated.
Part of Donalds campaign
The selection of the Miami-Dade senator as a candidate for lieutenant governor did not come unexpectedly.
In addition to his role as co-president of Veterans for Byron Since September 2025, Ávila accompanied Donalds in May 2026 during the launch of Latinos for Byron in Hialeah.
That initiative sought to increase support for the candidate among Hispanic voters, a particularly important segment in Miami-Dade.
His election as running mate now deepens that strategy and places on the Republican ticket a politician born in Hialeah, the son of Cuban exiles, with legislative and military experience and a career linked for years to Miami-Dade.
Donalds and Ávila vs. Jolly and Graham
Donalds entered the general election after winning the Aug. 18 Republican primary and is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
On the Democratic side, David Jolly won his party’s nomination. The former congressman, who previously belonged to the Republican Party before becoming a Democrat, will run in the elections accompanied by Gwen Graham.
Voters will decide on Nov. 3 which ticket will succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek a third consecutive term.
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