Candidate Miguel Granda, Florida House District 117

Miguel Granda, a Republican, is running for the Florida House in District 117 in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The district takes in parts of Homestead, Florida City, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. He is challenging Democratic state Rep. Kevin Chambliss of Homestead, who has held the seat since 2020. They are the only two candidates on the ballot for this seat.

At a Glance

Office: Florida State Representative
District: House District 117, parts of Cutler Bay, Florida City, Homestead and Palmetto Bay
Party: Republican (REP)
Incumbent: No
Opponent on the ballot: Kevin Chambliss (DEM, incumbent)
Campaign website: miguelgranda.net

Background

Granda’s campaign website says he was born and raised in Miami-Dade County in a working-class family. It says he graduated from Florida International University and then from St. Thomas University’s law school. While working his way through school, the site says, he was a legislative assistant helping families deal with state agencies. The site also says he “has had to overcome bad choices he made in his youth.” It does not give details, and we found no news coverage describing them.

When he entered the race in April 2026, Florida Politics reported that he was 34. It said he has worked for Hialeah Republican Rep. David Borrero since November 2020, starting as a district aide, and that while in law school he interned at the law offices of Miami-Dade Commissioner Rob Gonzalez. The Daily Signal described him as a self-described “Christian conservative.” It reported that Borrero introduced a bill during Granda’s time in his office requiring public schools to teach about the dangers of communism, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed.

Granda holds several civic and party roles, according to Florida Politics and The Daily Signal:

President of the Miami-Dade Young Republicans
Elected member of the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee
Member of the county’s Area 12 Community Council and Zoning Appeals Board, which covers the unincorporated Kendall area
Advisory board member of the Men of Valor prison ministry
Chair of the National Americans of Faith Alliance. Florida Politics reported that the group’s stated goal is to prevent “liberals, progressives, atheists and anti-Christian groups” from curbing religious freedom and other First Amendment rights.

Florida Politics also reported in April that state records listed Granda’s most recent address in neighboring House District 116. It said he “may have to move” if he wins in November. We did not find a later update on his residence.

In Their Own Words

Granda announced his candidacy with a written statement:

“District 117 is made up of many working-class families who, like me, were not born into privilege but struggle every day to overcome and get by. I want to be their champion in Tallahassee.”

Miguel Granda, quoted by Florida Politics, April 21, 2026

In the same statement:

“From quality schools and safe streets to lowering costs of living, these are the keys Florida families need to succeed.”

Miguel Granda, quoted by Florida Politics, April 21, 2026

Speaking to The Daily Signal about his personal history:

“My story is proof that a person’s worst chapter is not their final one”

Miguel Granda, quoted by The Daily Signal, April 21, 2026

His campaign website’s pledge to voters:

“No single person or party has all the answers but I truly believe that working together we can make meaningful change to improve lives and lift people up.”

Miguel Granda, campaign website

Where He Stands on the Issues

Granda has not held elected office, so he has no legislative voting record. His campaign describes him as “The Common Sense Choice for Financial Relief, Safe Streets and Quality Schools.” His public statements so far are general, and we did not find detailed proposals on his website or in news coverage.

Cost of living: He lists “lowering costs of living” and financial relief for residents among his top priorities.
Public safety: “Safe streets” is one of the three themes of his campaign.
Education: He names “quality schools” as a priority. The Daily Signal noted that Borrero’s bill on teaching about communism became law while Granda worked in his office.
Faith and religious liberty: He chairs a national faith-based advocacy group and calls himself a Christian conservative.
Approach: He told The Daily Signal that Floridians “can trust me because I’ve already been doing the work,” pointing to his years as a legislative aide.

About the District

House District 117 covers an inland strip of southern Miami-Dade County, according to Florida Politics, including parts of Cutler Bay, Florida City, Homestead and Palmetto Bay. As of April 2026, 39% of its voters were registered Democrats, 29% Republicans and 32% belonged to a minor party or none. Voters were 59% Hispanic, 26% African American and 8% white. Granda’s campaign has argued that the district “has shifted dramatically toward Republicans and unaffiliated voters in recent years.” Because district lines do not follow city limits, voters should check their sample ballot to confirm this race appears on it.

What This Office Does

State representatives write and vote on Florida law and the state budget. They also sponsor requests for local projects, which the governor can veto line by line. House members serve two-year terms, so this seat is on the ballot every even-numbered year. Recent House decisions affecting this part of South Dade include the Live Local Act’s housing rules, property insurance law, and state money for water systems in Homestead and Florida City.

The Race

Granda faces one opponent:

Kevin Chambliss (DEM) is the incumbent. He has represented the district since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024 with 52.9% of the vote. He is ranking Democrat on the House’s Economic Infrastructure and Insurance & Banking subcommittees and co-chairs the Florida Future Caucus with Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud.

Granda was the first challenger to file for the seat this cycle, Florida Politics reported. Neither party had a primary for this seat on Miami-Dade’s Aug. 18, 2026 primary ballot. The South Dade News Leader’s Aug. 21 primary roundup covered the nearby House District 118 primary and other South Dade contests.

In 2024, according to Ballotpedia, Chambliss defeated Republican Beatrice Slawson 52.9% to 47.1%. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has endorsed Chambliss, and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee lists the seat among those it plans to defend. We did not find published fundraising totals or endorsements for Granda in the sources we reviewed.

How to Vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters must go to their assigned precinct. NBC6 reported that early voting in Miami-Dade runs from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1. Under the county’s rules, a vote-by-mail ballot must be requested by 5 p.m. on the 12th day before the election, which is Thursday, Oct. 22. Mail ballots must reach the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. You can check your registration, sample ballot, polling place and early voting sites through the Miami-Dade 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.