IVAN ROMAN Herald Staff Writer

Magda Montiel Davis, a Cuban-American immigration lawyer, launched on Thursday what she admitted would be a tough fight to unseat Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

In kicking off her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, the 39-year-old Democrat said she disagrees "with everything that Ileana represents. It's time for a change."

She cited specifically the issues of abortion and shipments of food and medicines to Cuba.

"We are not for abortion, but it's important that government recognize the rights of women and not interfere in decisions of this nature," said Montiel-Davis, the mother of five children.

Montiel-Davis said she endorses the spirit of the proposed Torricelli legislation now in Congress, which would tighten the economic embargo against Cuba. But she said she favors the right to ship food and medicines to relatives on the island.

This unprecedented political contest for a congressional seat between two Cuban-American women could become a referendum on the issues of abortion and the Cuban embargo in Congressional District 18, which emcompasses parts of Little Havana, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne.

Ros-Lehtinen has opposed abortion and supported the Torricelli bill, which is vigorously backed by the Cuban American National Foundation.

Montiel-Davis said she would call a press conference to demonstrate that Ros-Lehtinen is beholden to the medical and construction industries, local and national Cuban organizations, and other special interests.

Ros-Lehtinen Thursday rejected the special-interests allegations and defended her record.

"I have been involved in our Miami community for many years and the residents know that I have voted my conscience on many occasions," she said.

Ros-Lehtinen was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1989 to fill the seat held by the late Claude Pepper. She was re-elected a year later.

"For the first time Ileana faces a Democratic Cuban woman who can capture the Democratic vote and part of the Republican vote," said Simon Ferro, president of the Florida Democratic Party. Ferro acknowledged it would be a tough fight, but added that "this year we think things will go our way nationally and we have a chance."