Richard Lamondin taps Manny Orozco as CD 27 campaign manager

Democrat Richard Lamondin is enlisting the expertise of a seasoned Miami-Dade County politics pro to run his campaign for Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

Lamondin, a small-business owner and first-time political candidate, announced this week that he’s tapping Manny Orozco to serve as his Campaign Manager.

Orozco, a Colombian-American Miami native, is taking the role through the political consulting firm EDGE Communications, which he rejoined in July 2025 after representing local priorities in Washington, D.C., as Federal Affairs Advisor for Miami-Dade.

Orozco’s bona fides include past posts as Deputy Campaign Manager for Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who kept him on as a special aide after her historic victory; Florida Campus Director for NextGen America, where he led an effort to mobilize youth voters; Florida organizer for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign; and a fellow for Obama for America.

Orozco first joined EDGE as Director of Campaign and Communications in April 2019 before joining Levine Cava’s campaign. The firm welcomed him back last year as Public Affairs and Communications Consultant.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my journey is the power of building the right team,” Lamondin said in a statement.

“Manny has quickly become a trusted advisor who brings clarity, energy, and urgency to everything he does. He’s sharp, cares deeply about Miami-Dade, and as a product of this community, he understands firsthand the challenges we face. He’s run campaigns, he’s worked inside government, and like me, he is entrepreneurial – always looking for a better way. I’m proud to have Manny lead my first campaign for public office.”

In his own statement, Orozco said Lamondin’s campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar is “about changing the political playbook and building something that actually reflects who we are as a community.” He called Miami-Dade “ground zero for an affordability crisis that’s holding too many people, families, and seniors back, made worse by broken leadership.”

“This campaign is about offering something better — and someone better to represent us in Washington,” he said. “Richard is that person. He’s someone I’ve come to deeply admire, and I’m honored that he has trusted me to lead his campaign.”

So far, Lamondin is set to face two Democratic Primary opponents: accountant Alexander Fornino and former prosecutor Robin Peguero.

CD 27, one of three Florida districts that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has highlighted as “in play,” covers Miami, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, North Bay Village, South Miami, West Miami and several unincorporated areas.

Salazar has held the seat since January 2021.