The Miami Herald
Nov. 06, 2002

Cuba issue propels Mario Díaz-Balart

  BY OSCAR CORRAL DAVID OVALLE AND MICHAEL VASQUEZ

  In a congressional race that prompted a vigorous debate on U.S.-Cuba policy between two Cuban-American politicians, Mario Díaz-Balart defeated Annie Betancourt in a landslide on Tuesday, earning a seat in the U.S. House alongside his brother, Lincoln Díaz-Balart.

  His election means there are three Cuban Americans representing South Florida in Washington, a sign of the group's burgeoning political clout.

  ''Tonight we are going to celebrate the unity of our community,'' he said, adding that he dedicated the victory to ``every single political prisoner 90 miles away.''

  Díaz-Balart's campaign, flush with cash, partied in style. Through the night, three 19-inch televisions flashed results from CNN, while 300 supporters crowded a banquet hall at the Radisson Mart Plaza in Miami-Dade. Music played, booze flowed and people cheered as the numbers rolled in.

  Betancourt's cash-strapped campaign couldn't afford a banquet hall. The campaign held a party for a group of about 30 supporters at her small election office in a
  Kendall strip mall, serving homemade cookies, grasping for results from a television with an antenna and downing inexpensive wine.

  By 10 p.m., the party died down, people hugged her, and Betancourt vented. ''I do not have a brother in Congress,'' she said. ``It's very easy for a candidate to have that connection and access to big money.''

  The dominant campaign issue centered on how the candidates viewed U.S.-Cuba policy. Republican Díaz-Balart told voters he supports continuing economic sanctions, whereas Democrat Betancourt said she supports easing the embargo.

  ''I think it was groundbreaking, maybe even historical, because for the first time, Cuba policy was debated in Miami in an open, civilized way,'' said political analyst
  Sergio Bendixen. ``In a sense, the race brought the Cuban-American community to political maturity.''

  Díaz-Balart went further, saying that the vote represented a ''referendum'' on the embargo.

  Clara Castro, 18, said Betancourt's position on the embargo is a big reason she voted against her. ``If Cuba could sell their products here, the money would go straight to the Cuban government.''

  Still, it was not the only issue. Some voters said they cast ballots for Díaz-Balart because of his credibility.

  ''Most people that go to him for help, get it,'' said Patti Recio, a county worker from West Kendall.

  Díaz-Balart will serve District 25, which encompasses most of West Miami-Dade and extends to Collier County.