U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego says Hector Mujica is the best Democrat to take on Republican U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez in Florida’s 28th Congressional District.

Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, Marine Corps combat veteran and son of Latino immigrants, announced his endorsement of Mujica citing shared values on economic opportunity, working families and immigrant communities.

“Hector Mujica knows what it means to serve with purpose and lead with compassion,” Gallego said.

“He’s the kind of forward-looking leader we need in Congress, and I’m proud to endorse him.”

Mujica, a first-generation Venezuelan American and former Google executive, is running on a platform focused on lowering costs, protecting healthcare access and expanding economic opportunity for South Florida families.

He welcomed the endorsement, drawing a parallel between his story and Gallego’s.

“Senator Gallego’s story — the son of immigrants who worked his way through school, served this country in combat, and never forgot where he came from — resonates deeply with me,” Mujica said Thursday.

“My family came to this country in search of freedom and opportunity and worked hard for every step forward. Today, too many hardworking people are doing everything right and still falling behind because the system is stacked for the wealthy and well-connected. I’m running for Congress to lower costs, protect access to health care, and fight for a government that works for everyday people again.”

Gallego joins a growing roster of prominent Democratic backers lining up behind Mujica’s campaign. U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz of California, an emergency physician and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, endorsed Mujica Wednesday.

Other backers, according to Mujica’s campaign, include U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández and Adam Smith, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo, and Senate candidate and noted federal whistleblower Alexander Vindman.

CD 28 covers a southern portion of Miami-Dade County and all of Monroe County. It’s one of Florida’s tightest congressional races, according to internal polling from late March, which found Giménez leading Mujica by just 6 percentage points, with Mujica holding an advantage among independent voters.

Before Mujica can face Giménez in the Nov. 3 General Election, he must first win an Aug. 18 Primary against retired Navy pilot Phil Ehr, who lost to Giménez in 2024.

Mujica pivoted to the congressional race earlier this year after initially pursuing a U.S. Senate seat.

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