Omar Blanco, President of Miami-Dade Firefighters & Paramedics Local 1403, on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida’s 26th Congressional District.
Blanco, 47, a lifelong Republican has been a firefighter and paramedic in Miami-Dade County for over 15 years. To effectively represent Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys in Congress, Blanco will draw from his countless experiences working with others to keep the public safe and working with all stakeholders to improve quality of life for first responders and the community.
“I’m running for Congress because South Florida needs proactive, problem solving leaders, not extremist politicians and attention-seeking activists who put themselves before our community,” Blanco said. “I’m ready to restore our core American values because our future depends on it.”
During four years as President of MDFR Local 1403, Blanco has demonstrated the ability to work with others to enhance quality of life for both the community and firefighters who risk their lives in serving the public. He helped obtain life-saving devices in every emergency vehicle in Miami-Dade County and also helped secure cancer coverage for firefighters in Florida.
“I didn’t just work with one party to get things done,” he said. “I worked with everyone, and we made a difference. Why can’t Washington do the same? Work together for the greater good to make a difference for growing families like mine and yours.”
Blanco’s wife of 18 years, Carolina, is a schoolteacher in Miami-Dade County. They have two children, Kevin and Lauren.
“Serving our community has always been a priority for us,” Blanco said. “We want to pass on to our children the idea that service is what unites us as Americans. But what kind of future will we leave the next generation? We can’t let Washington politicians extinguish our opportunities to achieve the American dream.”
Florida’s 26th Congressional District stretches from southwestern Miami-Dade County to Key West (all of Monroe County).
