Bryan Avila runs for Florida lieutenant governor

State Sen. Bryan Avila is the Republican candidate for Florida lieutenant governor, running alongside gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds in the Nov. 3 general election.

Donalds selected Avila as his running mate on Aug. 25, according to CBS Miami. Avila is certified for the ballot.

Other candidates for lieutenant governor, according to BallotReady election data:

Gwen Graham (Democratic)
Benjiman Rojas (No Party Preference)
Joe Van Vactor (No Party Preference)
Juan Santana (No Party Preference)
Nicole Skelly (Libertarian)
Rachel Rodriguez (No Party Preference)
Ruben A. Coto (No Party Preference)

Candidate information

Born: June 25, 1984, in Hialeah, Florida
Residence: Miami Springs, Florida
Family: Married to Cindy Gil-Avila; two children
Education: Associate's degree in political science, Miami Dade College (2004); bachelor's degree in political science, University of Miami (2006); master's degree in criminal justice and master's degree in public administration, Florida International University (2010)
Military service: Human resources officer, second lieutenant, Florida National Guard (2016–present)
Current employment: Academic dean, Doral College (2024–present); adjunct professor, Broward College (2018–present)
Background: Born to Cuban immigrant parents, according to CBS Miami. Graduated from Miami Springs High School in 2002. Previously worked as a high school teacher and adjunct professor at Miami Dade College (2009–2014).

Experience and public service

Avila has served in the Florida Senate representing District 39 since 2022, according to legislative records. In the Senate, he has chaired the Finance and Tax Committee and the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Before his Senate tenure, Avila served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2014 to 2022. He rose to speaker pro tempore (2020–2022) and chaired the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee. He earlier served as majority deputy whip (2016–2018).

His local government experience includes serving on the City of Hialeah Planning and Zoning Board (2011–2012) and the city's Scholarship Board (2012). He served as vice-chairman of the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County (2013–2014).

In the Florida National Guard, Avila was activated for over a year during the COVID-19 pandemic response and was involved in the Hurricane Dorian and Hurricane Ian response efforts, according to The Capitolist.

The American Conservative Union recognized Avila as the Most Conservative Member of the Florida Legislature in 2024, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

On the issues

Property taxes: Avila sponsored a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 2-F) that would exempt up to $250,000 of a primary home's value from certain local property taxes, according to WUSF. Florida voters will decide on the measure in November 2026. If approved, the exemption could affect homeowners across Lakewood Ranch and Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Data centers and energy infrastructure: Avila sponsored SB 484 (2026), which requires large-load electricity and water customers, including data centers, to cover their own electricity and infrastructure costs, according to Florida Politics. The law preserves local zoning authority and imposes stricter water-use permitting. Gov. DeSantis signed it into law.

Cuba and socialism: "My parents escaped communist Cuba because they believed America offered something socialism never could – freedom and the opportunity to build a better future for their children," Avila said, according to CBS Miami. He has pledged that socialism will never take hold in Florida.