Candidate Armando "A.C." Castillo, Florida House District 118

Armando “A.C.” Castillo, a Democrat, is running for the Florida House of Representatives in District 118 in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. He faces one opponent on the Miami-Dade ballot: Republican state Rep. Mike Redondo, the incumbent. District 118 covers unincorporated areas of southwest Miami-Dade County west of Florida’s Turnpike.

At a Glance

Office: Florida House of Representatives, District 118
Area covered: Unincorporated southwest Miami-Dade, west of Florida’s Turnpike between Sweetwater and Cutler Bay
Party: Democratic
Incumbent: No
Opponent on the ballot: Mike Redondo (REP), incumbent
Campaign website: votepeoplefirst.com

Background

Castillo works night shifts as a transit worker and chairs the political committee of a local chapter of the Transport Workers Union, according to Florida Politics. His campaign website identifies the chapter as Transport Workers Union Local 568 and lists him as the founder of UnionMatters.org.

He previously served on the Miami-Dade Community Council for Area 11, which covers West Kendall, according to Florida Politics and his campaign website.

Castillo describes himself on his website as a native Miamian who has lived in District 118 for more than 30 years and bought his first home there. He writes that his parents left Cuba in the 1970s and that his family later opened Artemisa Bakery, next to Islas Canarias Restaurant. He says his wife is a public school teacher and his children attend public schools in the community.

His website lists a bachelor’s degree in labor studies and American labor history from Meany Labor College, a certificate in international labor standards from the International Labour Organization and a certificate in union leadership from Cornell University.

In Their Own Words

“As a homeowner, I’ve felt the out-of-control costs of property insurance, and I’m not alone.”

Armando “A.C.” Castillo, campaign website

“I voted against the waste facility station in West Kendall, and I opposed the Calusa Golf course development.”

Armando “A.C.” Castillo, on his community council record, campaign website

“Fix the voucher system. Fund our public schools. Pay our teachers.”

Armando “A.C.” Castillo, campaign website

“Like most of us just trying to get by, I’ve had enough.”

Armando “A.C.” Castillo, campaign website

Where He Stands on the Issues

Florida Politics reported that Castillo is running on what he calls “paycheck politics,” focused on property insurance costs, rent burden, teacher pay and opposition to voucher expansion. The positions below are drawn from his campaign website.

Property insurance

Castillo wants lawmakers to pursue solutions that favor homeowners over insurance companies, including expanded state subsidies and incentives for home hardening and wind mitigation. His website states that 70% of Florida homeowners cite property insurance as their biggest issue.

Housing and rent

Castillo calls rent burden a priority. His website asserts that Florida’s rent burden is the highest in the nation and that rents in District 118 have roughly doubled over eight years. He calls for affordable housing so working families and middle-class residents can remain in the area.

Education

Castillo supports higher teacher pay and more funding for public schools. He opposes expanding school vouchers that are not tied to family income and says public money should come with public accountability standards.

Development and growth

Castillo says he will oppose development projects that do not benefit residents first, and he expects more high-rise, commercial and airport-related growth in the district. He cites his community council votes against a waste facility in West Kendall and his opposition to the Calusa golf course development. His website recounts telling a developer, “I work for the residents, not you.”

Traffic and transit

He supports investment in transportation infrastructure and says new commercial growth should be paired with traffic mitigation and long-term public transit.

Health care

Castillo calls for lawmakers who refuse corporate political action committee money. He says Medicaid should not be used as political leverage and should protect seniors and people with disabilities. His website states that Florida ranks fourth in the nation for uninsured residents while leading the country in Affordable Care Act enrollment.

About the District

Florida House District 118 is a narrow, unincorporated strip of southwest Miami-Dade west of Florida’s Turnpike, running between Sweetwater and Cutler Bay, according to Florida Politics. It includes communities west of Kendall and Zoo Miami. Most of its voters are Hispanic, the Miami Herald reported. Because the area is unincorporated, residents rely on Miami-Dade County, rather than a city government, for municipal-level services.

The seat has changed hands between parties in the past decade. Republican Frank Artiles held it from 2010 to 2016, Democrat Robert Asencio from 2016 to 2018, and Republicans Anthony Rodriguez and Juan Fernandez-Barquin before Redondo, according to Wikipedia’s summary of district history.

What This Office Does

The Florida House of Representatives has 120 members, each elected to a two-year term. Representatives write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which covers areas such as property insurance regulation, public schools, state roads and transit funding, health care programs including Medicaid, and the rules that counties and cities must follow on zoning and development. Members can also request state funding for projects in their districts. The annual legislative session is held in Tallahassee.

The Race

Redondo, a Miami attorney, has represented District 118 since winning a December 2023 special election and was reelected in 2024 with 68.3% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. In 2025, his Republican colleagues chose him to serve as House Speaker after the 2030 elections. He chairs the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting and sponsored the 2026 update to the Live Local Act, Florida’s affordable housing law, according to Florida Politics. He has named homeowners insurance and housing affordability as top issues. A separate profile of Redondo is available in this voter guide.

In the Aug. 18, 2026, Republican primary, Redondo defeated Marco Insua, 7,656 votes (84.92%) to 1,360 (15.08%), according to preliminary results reported by the South Dade News Leader.

Florida Politics reported that Redondo had raised $2.45 million this cycle through his campaign and political committee as of mid-August and described him as heavily favored in the general election. Sources reviewed for this profile did not report Castillo’s fundraising totals.

How to Vote

Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters in line at 7 p.m. may still vote.
Early voting in Miami-Dade: Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, according to the Miami-Dade Elections early voting schedule.
Vote by mail: Requests must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. Completed ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day; postmarks do not count. See the vote-by-mail page.
Sample ballots, polling places and voter status are available from the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.

Community Leadership Alliance is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. This profile is based on public records, candidate statements and news coverage, including the South Dade News Leader. Candidates who wish to submit corrections may contact us through our Contact page.

Candidate Armando “A.C.” Castillo, Florida House District 118