NewsWLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)November 2, 2026Miami-Dade County
Florida Senate District 38 Race Focuses on Affordable Housing and Local Control
Photo: WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)
Incumbent state Sen. Alexis Calatayud faces challengers Richard Lamondin and Jeffrey Solomon in the competitive race for Florida Senate District 38, with voter debate centering largely on the impacts of the Live Local Act and local zoning control. The election highlights contrasting approaches to workforce housing development, municipal oversight, and taxpayer transparency in a politically competitive South Florida district.
Read the full story at WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Why It Matters
Voters in District 38 will decide whether to retain the Republican architect of the state's affordable housing laws or elect a challenger aiming to roll back state preemption of local .
Key Facts
- Half of the 40 seats in the Florida Senate are up for grabs on Tuesday, including a competitive race in District 38.
- District 38 includes Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Cutler Bay.
- Incumbent state Sen. Alexis Calatayud is a 33-year-old Republican serving her first term.
- Richard Lamondin is a 39-year-old CEO of ecofi and a challenger in the Senate race.
- Jeffrey 'Doc' Solomon is a chiropractor running as a no-party candidate.
- Calatayud defeated Janelle Perez in 2022 with over 54% of the vote.
- Calatayud authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill 102, also known as the Live Local Act, passed in 2023.
- Live Local 4.0 (CS/CS/HB 1389) went into effect this July, allowing residential development on school, religious, and business properties while restricting local government oversight of building dimensions.
- Calatayud worked across parties to secure funding to restore medication for 12,000 HIV-positive Floridians after federal ACA subsidies were reduced.
- Solomon proposes a 'Florida Taxpayer Transparency and Performance Accountability Act' dashboard to track government agencies.
Who's Mentioned
locationTallahassee“State capital where the legislature meets.”Organizationecofi“Sustainability company focused on energy and water usage reduction.”locationDistrict 38“State Senate district in Miami-Dade County.”PersonAmanda Demanda“Host of the Legally Spanglish podcast.”PersonJeffrey “Doc” Solomon“No-party candidate running for Florida Senate District 38.”PersonByron Donalds“Republican candidate mentioned in the context of the gubernatorial race.”OrganizationUniversity of Miami“Institution housing the School of Communication where CommunityWire is staffed.”OrganizationState Navigate“Pollster organization giving a slight edge to Lamondin.”PersonRichard Lamondin“Challenger and CEO of ecofi running for Florida Senate District 38.”PersonJason Pizzo“Last Democrat to represent District 38, winning in 2018.”locationFlorida“State where the Senate election takes place.”locationCutler Bay“Municipality included in District 38.”locationMiami“City central to District 38 municipalities.”locationMiami-Dade County“County containing District 38.”PersonJanelle Perez“Previous candidate who ran against Calatayud in 2022.”locationPalmetto Bay“Municipality included in District 38.”locationSouth Miami“Municipality included in District 38.”locationKey Biscayne“Municipality included in District 38.”OrganizationCommunityWire.Miami“Independent community news outlet publishing the original story.”locationCoconut Grove“Area with two recent proposals for high-rise apartments.”OrganizationFlorida Chiropractic Association“Professional association where Jeffrey Solomon served as past president.”PersonDavid Jolly“Democratic candidate mentioned in the context of the gubernatorial race.”OrganizationFlorida Senate“Legislative body with seats up for grabs.”PersonAlexis Calatayud“Incumbent Florida state senator for District 38 running for re-election.”locationPinecrest“Municipality included in District 38.”locationCoral Gables“Municipality included in District 38.”