• Lopez picked up an endorsement from the South Florida Council of Firefighters on Monday
• The group, headquartered in Doral, represents 3,700 firefighters in Miami-Dade and Monroe
• Lopez, who originally filed to run in SD 38, made the switch to run in HD 113 in May
• She faces Alberto Perosch for the Republican primary

Republican Vicki Lopez announced Monday that the South Florida Council of Firefighters (SFCFF) is endorsing her campaign for House District 113.

The Doral-headquartered SFCFF is nonprofit local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. The political advocacy organization represents over 3,700 firefighters and members in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

“The members of the South Florida Council of Firefighters proudly endorse Vicki Lopez and her campaign to represent District 113 in the Florida House,” said John O’Brien, President of SFCFF. “We have full faith in her ability to be a strong advocate for the issues important to our members and the first responder community, and we look forward to partnering with Vicki to promote public safety in Florida.”

Lopez is a longtime political activist who runs the Miami-based VLL Consulting. She is a former member of the Lee County Commission and served in state-appointed roles in the Florida Senate and under Governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, and Rick Scott. She has also served in numerous leadership capacities within the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

Lopez, who had originally entered the race for Senate District 38, made the switch to HD 113 in May.

With the move, Lopez will now face self-funded candidate Alberto Perosch for the Republican primary on August 23. The winner of the GOP contest will square off against either Andres Althabe or Alessandro D’Amico in November.

“It is an honor to have the endorsement of the South Florida Council of Firefighters,” said Lopez in a news statement. “Our local firefighters face unimaginable dangers every day, and we are indebted to their service and sacrifice to our communities. I look forward to working with this organization to address issues essential to protecting SFCFF members and first responders across the state.”

HD 113 encompasses the heart of Miami and includes Key Biscayne, Miami’s City Hall, Calle Ocho, Brickell Avenue, the Miami River, and the Port of Miami.