On Tuesday evening (6/10/2025), the Northeast Miami-Dade Democrats welcomed José Javier Rodríguez to the Miami Shores Community Church, where he laid out a bold and urgent vision for the role of Florida’s Attorney General. Rodríguez, a former state legislator and Biden administration official, is now a 2026 candidate for Florida Attorney General. He addressed a room full of energized Democrats eager for a change in leadership that prioritizes public safety, economic justice, and integrity in government.

Rodríguez began by sharing his personal journey — a Miami-Dade native, Peace Corps volunteer, Harvard Law graduate, and workers’ rights attorney — all experiences that have shaped his deep commitment to fighting for the vulnerable against powerful, entrenched interests.

“The Attorney General should be the people’s lawyer,” Rodríguez told the crowd. “But for decades in Florida, the office has acted more like the Governor’s private counsel, ignoring the real tools it has to serve and protect Floridians.”

Taking on Corruption and Corporate Abuse

Rodríguez recalled his hard-fought legislative career, including his 2020 re-election race, where Republican operatives and Florida Power & Light (FPL) funded a scheme involving a “ghost candidate” with the same last name to confuse voters. Despite this, Rodríguez continues to focus on rooting out the kind of corruption that undermines democracy.

His campaign is centered around three main priorities: public safety, reducing costs, and fighting corruption. As Attorney General, he says he would go after fraud in property insurance, expose abuses by monopolistic utilities like FPL, and enforce consumer protections often ignored by recent Republican administrations.

He cited examples from his past: pushing a reluctant Attorney General to enforce the state’s minimum wage, and pressing Pam Bondi to hold opioid manufacturers accountable when she refused to act.

“Floridians are paying more and getting less,” he said, referring to rising property insurance rates and unchecked utility hikes. “If I’m Attorney General, that stops. We’ll use the full power of the office to investigate and act.”

Standing Up for Rule of Law and Public Safety

Rodríguez sharply criticized current Attorney General Ashley Moody, accusing her of politicizing public safety and ignoring constitutional rulings — particularly around immigration enforcement. He warned about the erosion of the rule of law, where court rulings are disregarded and federal norms trampled.

“The job of the Attorney General is to enforce the law — not pick and choose based on political convenience,” he said. “If the legislature passes something unconstitutional, the court gets to decide that — not the Attorney General.”

He also addressed the use of state power to target immigrants, deploy troops against protesters, and intimidate local officials. “It’s cruelty, chaos, and distraction,” he said, “when what we need is serious leadership focused on safety and justice.”

Engaging Voters Across the Spectrum

During the Q&A, Rodríguez fielded thoughtful questions on gun safety, property insurance, condo regulation, and political strategy. He emphasized the need for outreach to independent voters and Spanish-speaking communities — not just through policy, but consistent presence in local media.

“I’ve always run competitive races by earning the support of independents,” he said. “No matter your party, people care about safety, about costs, and about fairness. That’s the message we’re carrying to every corner of the state.”

On gun violence, Rodríguez acknowledged the constraints of Tallahassee's preemption laws, but pointed out the Attorney General’s ability to enforce liability laws, advocate safe storage, and work with law enforcement on commonsense reforms. “Even in a red state, we can lead on gun safety — not just gun control.”

Fighting Disinformation and Building the Party

Several attendees voiced concern about disinformation in Spanish-language media. Rodríguez agreed and said the key is being present: “If we’re not on the radio, not countering the message, we’re ceding the space.” He invited allies to help amplify the truth and reclaim the narrative.

He closed with a call for grassroots support. With just one full-time campaign staffer as of this week, Rodríguez asked attendees to contribute what they could — and help spread the word on social media. “We need to show momentum early,” he said, “so people know we’re building something real.”

Rodríguez’s campaign website is jjr.vote, and he encouraged everyone to follow and share his message on social platforms at @JoseJavierJJR.

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