State Rep. Julio Robaina, 48, is seeking to move up to the Senate in the southeast-central district and is opposed by Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, 47, a former Miami-Dade commissioner and county mayoral candidate. Also running is Jenny Nillo, a first-time candidate who declined to be interviewed.

Both of the major candidates have extensive political experience. Mr. Robaina, term-limited after eight years in the House, is a former mayor of South Miami. Mr. Diaz de la Portilla belongs to a prominent political family. His brother, Alex, is the incumbent in District 36 and is term-limited.

Mr. Diaz de la Portilla is a lawyer who often lobbies on land-use and other issues. Mr. Robaina, who worked 30 years for AT&T before taking an extended leave, describes himself as a full-time lawmaker. Both candidates have a firm grasp of the issues and would ably represent this district.

The winner of this race will face only write-in opposition in the general election.

Mr. Robaina's candidacy warrants support in this race due to his familiarity with the legislative process and his record as an independent voice. He fought against the effort to dismantle the Department of Community Affairs and against the controversial education reform bill, SB 6 (vetoed by Gov. Crist), that he called an "unfunded mandate,'' even though both were GOP leadership priorities.

For Florida Senate District 36, Republican primary, The Miami Herald recommends JULIO ROBAINA.