Scandal rocks Cuban-American congressional race in Florida [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Scandal rocks Cuban-American congressional race in Florida

By David Adams

MIAMI | Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:13pm EDT

(Reuters) - A campaign finance scandal involving a South Florida Republican could open the door to a surprise congressional victory for his Democratic party challenger, resulting in the election of Miami's first Cuban-American Democrat.

The race for Florida's 26th district between two rival Cuban Americans is setting a new standard for dirty tricks, even for Miami's politically passionate Cuban exile community.

The electoral shenanigans, which have dominated local news and prompted an FBI probe, went viral nationwide in a video when a local TV reporter knocked on the door of a candidate involved in the scandal and was doused with a jug of water.

David Rivera, a one-term Cuban-American Republican and hardline crusader against Cuba's communist government, is seeking re-election in a rematch against Joe Garcia. Before being elected to Congress, Rivera served eight years in the Florida Legislature, sharing a house in Tallahassee with fellow Republican and rising political star Marco Rubio.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/13/us-usa-campaign-florida-rivera-idUSBRE89C01A20121013?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=401