David Rivera Suspends Congressional Campaign

Former Miami Congressman David Rivera suspended his congressional campaign Friday after just 72 days in the race. Rivera lost his re-election bid in 2012 to Congressman Joe Garcia.

Rivera cited the recent ruling from a Tallahassee judge that invalidated the Congressional re-districting map. However, Rivera’s district was nowhere near any of the districts that were involved in the Congressional redistricting fight.

Rivera said, “As a Congressional candidate affected by this decision, I will not be held hostage by Florida’s liberal activist judges…I have decided to suspend campaigning for CD 26 and will launch my candidacy to the Florida State House of Representatives for the 2016 cycle…As always, I am humbled and grateful for your support of my candidacy. However, while Florida’s liberal activist judges may cast uncertainty by hijacking the congressional reapportionment process, I simply will not allow myself to be one of their hostages.”

Rivera is under investigation by the federal government for a campaign-finance issue. Rivera’s decision comes one day after a straw candidate linked to Rivera, Justin Lamar Sternad, was sentenced to seven months in federal prison after he admitted accepting $82,000 from Rivera’s friend Ana Alliegro for campaign advertisements, according to the Miami Herald.

Alliegro is awaiting trial for making false statements on campaign reports and making illegal campaign contributions, according to the Herald. Rivera has not been charged with any crimes.

Contact Us