Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, now running in a crowded Republican primary to see who will emerge to challenge Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, unveiled his Miami-Dade team on Thursday.

“I am proud to announce my Miami-Dade County Victory Team,” said LeMieux who trails U.S. Rep. Connie Mack in the polls for the Republican nomination. “South Florida is a pivotal component in Republican politics and my Miami-Dade Victory Team will play an important role in defeating Bill Nelson, taking back the U.S. Senate in 2012, and getting our country back on track.”

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell will be part of LeMieux’s team and she praised the former senator on Thursday.

"As a strong fiscal conservative with a record of supporting pro-family, pro-liberty ideals, I proudly stand with George LeMieux,” said Bell. “George is the only candidate for U.S. Senate with a national record of opposing Washington's job-killing policies and fighting for Florida's families. George also developed real solutions to address the federal budget crisis. Florida needs a strong senator who will stand with the courage of their convictions and is prepared to lead on day one."

Bell will be joined by other political leaders including state Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, whose district draws solely from Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, who was a staffer for LeMieux during his 16-month term in the U.S. Senate, is also on board his old boss’s team. So are Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez and Miami Lakes Town Councilman Nelson Hernandez.

LeMieux’s Miami-Dade team also includes Jesse Manzano-Plaza, who was an aide to former Gov. Jeb Bush; Keith Fernandez, who had been an adviser to U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; and Daisy Oliveros who had worked on Hispanic outreach during Bill McCollum’s failed bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010. Republican activists Lorenzo Cobiella and Frank Pena have also joined LeMieux’s Miami-Dade team.

Other members of LeMieux’s Miami-Dade team include: Tony Argiz, the chairman/CEO of Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra; attorney Maria Garcia; and Mario Murgado, president and CEO of Brickell Motors.

 

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.