We don’t wait until election time to decide who deserves our support. We watch. We listen. We pay attention. And when we believe someone is the right person for the job, we say so. That is exactly what we did with Ana Maria Rodriguez. We supported her from the beginning, and today we are even more confident in that decision.

Rodriguez has done what we expect from an elected official: she has gone to work. She has represented her district. She has listened to her constituents. And she has fought for the issues that matter to the families and communities of South Florida. She understands that being a state senator is not about collecting a title. It is about taking responsibility when difficult decisions have to be made.

That matters in Tallahassee. South Florida needs legislators who understand that Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys cannot be treated like an afterthought. We need people who understand the pressures facing working families, small businesses, homeowners and local communities. We need representatives who will fight for the resources and policies our communities deserve. Ana Maria Rodriguez understands that mission.

What has impressed us most is the consistency. Rodriguez didn’t suddenly become a community advocate because an election was approaching. We saw her commitment from the beginning. We supported her when she was building her political career, and we have watched her continue to earn that support through her service.

There is a big difference between making promises and doing the job. There is a difference between showing up for a photograph and showing up when your constituents need you. Rodriguez has demonstrated that she understands the difference.

We also like leaders who are willing to make their voices heard. Tallahassee is not always an easy place. There are powerful interests, complicated issues and plenty of political noise. A state senator has to be willing to stand her ground and fight for her district. That takes courage. It takes experience. And it takes knowing who you work for.

Ana Maria Rodriguez knows who she works for.

She works for the people.

That is why our endorsement today is not some last-minute political decision. It is a continuation of the support we have given her from the very beginning. We have watched her grow as a public servant, watched her take on important issues and watched her continue to represent her community.

We believe voters should reward elected officials who work hard, stay engaged and deliver for the people they represent. We believe Ana Maria Rodriguez has earned that opportunity.

And we believe she has earned our support again.

Miami Community Newspapers strongly supports and endorses Ana Maria Rodriguez for State Senator, District 40.

We supported her then.

We support her now.

And we believe the people of District 40 will be well served by keeping Ana Maria Rodriguez fighting for them in Tallahassee.