The Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF) announced its endorsement of Rep. Alex Rizo (R-Hialeah) for Florida's open Senate District 39 seat by praising his record of public service in protecting first responders.
[Alex Rizo] will continue to serve the citizens of Florida, and the interests of the men and women employed in the Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who have made the protection of life and property their life’s work," FPF President Wayne “Bernie” Bernoska said in a statement.
The FPF, founded in 1944, represents over 32,000 firefighters and emergency medical services personnel through 150 local affiliates serving in more than 200 departments across the state.
Rep. Rizo thanked the FPF for its endorsement.
“I am incredibly proud to have the support of the Florida Professional Firefighters and the more than 32,000 brave men and women they represent,” Rizo said. “Our firefighters and EMS professionals run toward danger when everyone else is running away, and they deserve leaders in Tallahassee who will always have their backs. I’ve been proud to stand with our first responders in the Florida House, and in the Senate, I will continue working shoulder to shoulder with them to make sure they have the resources, protections and support they need to keep our communities safe.”
The FPF's support follows an endorsement from the South Florida Police Benevolent Association for Florida's open SD 39 seat last week. Rizo has also been endorsed by the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Sweetwater Mayor Jose "Pepe" Diaz.
SD 39 includes Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Lakes, Doral, Medley, Virginia Gardens, and Sweetwater in Miami-Dade County. The district became open after Bryan Avila resigned following his pick as lieutenant governor by Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL).
Rizo has served House District 112 since 2020 but will forgo the final two years of his latest term to run in SD 39.
