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Published on October 14, 2024
Miami-Dade Educator Lucia Báez-Geller Sets Aim for Congress Amid Funding ChallengesSource: Google Street View

Lucia Báez-Geller, known for her strong positions on educational issues in the Miami-Dade School Board, is now aiming for Congress. During her four years in office, she has been involved in debates on LGBTQ History Month, the inclusion of volunteer religious chaplains in schools, and the push for a classical education curriculum, as reported by the Miami Herald.

Her progressive approaches have made her a standout figure on the board, and now Báez-Geller aims to leverage this experience in her congressional campaign for Florida's 27th district. A district comprising Downtown Miami and Key Biscayne through to Kendall and Cutler Bay. According to AllSides, Báez-Geller's progression from school board to Congress reflects her ambition to champion such diversity at a national level.

The path ahead for Báez-Geller is fraught with challenges. She faces a significant financial disadvantage in her bid against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar. The disparity in campaign funding is stark; Báez-Geller has raised only a minor portion compared to her opponent's accumulations, as confirmed by the Miami Herald. This funding gap indicates the challenges she faces in a state that has been shifting to the right, with national Democratic groups showing reluctance to invest significantly.

Despite the financial odds, Báez-Geller appears undeterred, seeing her campaign as a chance to push back against the conservative tilt in Florida politics. Lucia Báez-Geller is not hesitant to express her views, as she has during her time dealing with the school board's cultural controversies. She hopes to flip a congressional seat in a diverse district, where the representative's role is essential in reflecting the voices of the community, as noted by AllSides.