Díaz-Balart, Mario, 1961-

Mario Rafael Díaz-Balart y Caballero (born September 25, 1961) is an American politician. He has served as the U.S. Representative from Florida's 21st and 25th congressional districts since 2011. He previously represented Florida's 25th congressional district under its previous boundaries from 2003 to 2011. Following Representative Alcee Hastings's death in April 2021, Díaz-Balart became the dean of Florida's congressional delegation.

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Cuban parents, he graduated from Miami Shores Preparatory High School in Miami Shores, Florida before earning a B.A. from the University of South Florida. He worked as a marketing executive and as an aide to then-Miami Mayor Xavier Suárez. Diaz-Balart served 14 years in the Florida State Legislature in both chambers, House and Senate. He chaired a number of different committees, including the Combined Appropriations/Ways and Means/Finance and Tax Committee. Díaz-Balart gave up his seat in the state house to run in the newly created 25th District in 2002, easily winning the seat three times and narrowly winning a fourth term in 2008. On February 11, 2010, Díaz-Balart announced his intention to seek election in Florida's 21st congressional district— being vacated by his brother, Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart— rather than the 25th district. Running unopposed, Díaz-Balart has easily won re-election to the seat multiple times.

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