In a huge victory, Democrats flipped Florida’s 26th congressional district Tuesday night, where Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated two-term Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo.
Mucarsel-Powell defeated Curbelo by fewer than 4,000 votes. As supporters shouted "Deb-bie! Deb-bie!" at the Black Point Marina in South Dade, she said she intends to focus in Washington on the issue that put her over the top.
“To work for accessible, affordable, high-quality health care," she said. "It’s my top issue. It’s what I’ve been working on in my career.”
Mucarsel-Powell is an Ecuadorian immigrant. And she acknowledged that the 26th District – which stretches from Kendall to the Keys – is today a more diverse, Democrat-leaning pocket of Florida. She will be the first Hispanic congresswoman from Florida who is not Cuban.
“This election right here in District 26 is showing the world that the United States of America is strong in its diversity," she said. "Because even though some have tried to divide us, together we have proved that our strength lies in our shared values.”
Mucarsel-Powell, whose father was shot to death when she was 24, also campaigned hard on gun control.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Murcasel-Powell will become the first Hispanic congressperson from Florida who is not Cuban. It should have said the first Hispanic congresswoman.
