Speaker pro tempore Bryan Ávila (R-Hialeah) on Monday morning announced his candidacy for state Senate District 39 in an attempt to succeed Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., who was recently confirmed to serve as Florida’s next Commissioner of Education.

Ávila has served in the state House of Representatives since 2014 where he sits as the Chair of the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and is a member of the Appropriations and Joint Legislative Budget Commission committees. Ávila has sponsored notable bills like the Individual Freedom Act (otherwise known as the ‘Stop WOKE Act’) while co-sponsoring legislation such as the Parental Rights in Education and Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality bills.

“During his time in the Florida Legislature, Senator Manny Diaz Jr. has been a champion for Northwest Miami-Dade County in Tallahassee,” said Ávila. “If elected, I pledge to continue standing up for conservative values against the radical agenda being pushed by the far left in Florida and across our nation.”

Congratulations to @SenMannyDiazJr on being recommended by @GovRonDeSantis as Florida’s next Commissioner of Education. Senator Diaz has fought tirelessly in the Florida Legislature on behalf of our students, parents, and teachers. I'm confident he will do an exceptional job.

— Rep. Bryan Ávila (@BryanAvilaFL) April 22, 2022

Term-limited from his house seat in 2022, Avila initially announced his candidacy for Miami Dade County Commission District 6 before shifting gears and focusing on the Senate.

Ávila’s website posits his campaign focuses as being a “champion for lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, and conservative family values. Committing to job creation initiatives for the district and working with business leaders to boost the local economy, expanding educational choice options for children and parents, fighting for property insurance reform to maintain affordable rates for homeowners, and supporting affordable and accessible healthcare reform without becoming dependent on federal government mandates or funding.”

“[Bryan Ávila] will continue the fight for school choice, parents’ rights, and outcomes over indoctrination,” said Diaz Jr. in reaction to Monday’s announcement. “He will be a fierce fighter for freedom. I am proud to endorse Bryan because I know he will be a true champion for North West Dade in the Florida Senate.”