Two Republicans in Primary fight to represent new Senate District

The newly drawn Senate District 38 has drawn two Republicans vying to represent the coastal Miami-Dade district.

Alexis Calatayud Monday switched her bid to succeed her former boss, Rep. Vance Aloupis, in House District 115 to the Senate race. Calatayud, who is the director of policy and programs at the state Department of Education, will have to best Republican Vicki Lopez for the right to face first-time candidate Democrat Janelle Perez in the General Election.

The same day she announced the switch, Calatayud won the endorsement of leaders, Senate President Wilton Simpson, Senate President-Designate Kathleen Passidomo and Sen. Ben Albritton.

– Anne Geggis, Florida Politics