Republican Miguel Granda targets Kevin Chambliss’ seat in left-leaning HD 117

Homestead Democratic Rep. Kevin Chambliss now has a challenger.

Miguel Granda, a longtime aide to Hialeah Republican Rep. David Borrero, announced he has filed paperwork to run for Chambliss’ seat representing House District 117.

Granda is the first person other than the incumbent this cycle to enter the race for HD 117, which covers an inland strip of Miami-Dade County that includes parts of Cutler Bay, Florida City, Homestead and Palmetto Bay.

“Today, after much prayer and with the unwavering support of my family, friends, and community, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Florida House of Representatives. The guiding principle of my campaign is rooted in service — serving the public to improve opportunities so that everyone has a fair chance at achieving the American Dream,” Granda said in a statement Tuesday.

“From quality schools and safe streets to lowering costs of living, these are the keys Florida families need to succeed. District 117 is made up of many working-class families who, like me, were not born into privilege but struggle every day to overcome and get by. I want to be their champion in Tallahassee.”

A Miami-Dade native, according to a press note from his campaign, Granda is a graduate of Florida International University and the St. Thomas University College of Law. While pursuing a law degree, he interned at the law offices of Miami-Dade Commissioner Rob Gonzalez, according to his LinkedIn page.

He began working for Borrero as a district aide in November 2020 — an experience, his campaign said, that inspired him to run for office.

Granda boasts several notable community involvements. He is a sitting Community Council and Zoning Appeals Board member in the county’s Area 12, which spans the unincorporated Kendall neighborhood.

He is also a multi-elected Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee member, an Advisory Board member of the Men of Valor prison ministry and the sitting Chair of the National Americans of Faith Alliance, whose stated goal is to prevent “liberals, progressives, atheists and anti-Christian groups” from curbing religious freedoms and other First Amendment rights.

HD 117 leans left, with 39% of its voters registered as Democrats, 29% registered as Republicans and 32% belonging to a third or no party.

The district is also racially diverse, with 59% of voters identifying as Hispanic, 26% African American and 8% White.

Granda’s camp believes it’s primed for a flip.

“District 117, once solidly Democratic, has shifted dramatically toward Republicans and unaffiliated voters in recent years,” a press note from the Granda campaign said.

Chambliss, a 44-year-old who co-chairs the Florida chapter of the Future Caucus with Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud, has represented HD 117 since November 2020.

He won re-election in 2024 with 53% of the vote.

State records show Granda, 34, may have to move if he wins in November. His most recent address listed with the Division of Elections is in nearby House District 116, represented now by Speaker Daniel Perez.

The Primary, if there is one for HD 117, will be Aug. 18. The General Election is on Nov. 3.