De La Rosa's win was a family affair

The tight-knit Cuban-American community has come together again in Hialeah, Florida to see one of their rising political proteges take the oath of office for one of the open seats in that municipality’s city commission.

Oh, and Cuban pastelitos were served.

Oscar De La Rosa, the son of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo and Viviana Bovo, was sworn into office by Senator Marco Rubio, who has been part of De La Rosa’s extended family since the age of 5.

The Bovo and Rubio families are all-but inseparable. Viviana Bovo has been working for Rubio since his days in the Florida Legislature and now as one of his closest advisors and deputies in his senate office.

Also in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony were Sen. Rubio’s wife Jeanette, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, fmr. State Senator Rene Garcia, and a host of local politicians and activists, as well as two of his younger siblings. 

An emotional De La Rosa thanked his parents for giving him the guidance he needed to be able to find success in not only politics but in life in general. The young Bovo also thanked Rubio, Nunez and others for advising him in the world of politics.

Without question, De La Rosa’s biggest influence in politics has been Commissioner Bovo, whose visible emotions pour out as they would with any proud father seeing his son perhaps begin to follow in his footsteps.

Bovo first got into politics being appointed to, then winning the very same commission seat De La Rosa just won.

De La Rosa’s campaign was very similar to past Bovo-Rubio campaigns. The Bovo’s helped canvass the city in the months and weeks leading up to election day, much like they did when Papa Bovo and Rubio ran for local office.

Now it’s papa’s turn to campaign. Bovo is running for Mayor of Miami-Dade County, so expect his political sidekick Oscar to be right there knocking on doors with him.

Rubio influence will be felt in this race, but like in every political race, timing is everything, and Rubio’s support for Bovo could get President Trump to weigh in.

Miami-Dade County is the largest county in the state of Florida. Trump needs Florida to win reelection.