Ana Rivas Logan, Jose Felix Diaz spar over awards from insurance advocacy group

When state Rep. Jose Felix Diaz proudly shared with the Miami Herald editorial board earlier this week that that he had been recognized by the Florida Association for Insurance Reform (FAIR), his opponent interrupted him.

"So was I," state Rep. Ana Rivas Logan piped up. Diaz and Logan, both incumbent Republicans, are pitted against each other in a nasty race after redistricting threw them into the same district.

"They did not recognize you with the same award," responded Diaz, who said he was named the "2012 Policy Holder Defender."

Responded Logan: "Yes, but they recognized me, too. They recognized me, too."

Except, they didn't.

"I can say definitively we have never given her award. She never shows up to vote," said FAIR Executive Director Jay Neal.

That's a line Diaz has also used against his opponent, pointing out that Logan wasn't there to vote on last session's House Bill 245, dealing with insurance regulations.

Logan said she missed the vote because she was busy working her own bill to allow hearsay evidence -- such as a 911 call -- in domestic violence cases. That bill passed. She recorded her "no" vote on HB 245 after roll call.

"It was more important for me to work on that bill, because my bill saves people," Logan said.

She said she was referring to a different award, "for being a fighter for the little guy," when she interrupted her opponent to tout her own credentials. "I thought that's what he was referring to," she said.

But she couldn't remember the name of the award or the organization.

Logan pointed out that she was the only representative to be named legislator of the year by the Florida Retail Federation, and downplayed her opponent's recognition by FAIR.

"That's the insurance companies, all right? The insurance companies gave him the award," she said.

FAIR is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that tries to find "balance" between the public and private insurance companies, said Neal, the executive director. He said the organization gets funding from an array of sources, with no one industry giving a big percentage.

"We tend to be seen as a pro-consumer group, but I think we have a reputation as a more balanced arbiter," Neal said.

In its two years of existence, Neal said FAIR has only handed out five awards. Diaz was recognized because he has been “unusually proactive” when it comes to bringing together stakeholders, Neal said.

--CHRISTINA VEIGA

Comments

[Marcus O]

Amazing - who lies to an editorial board? Whoops.

[Liz]

Oh, you poor poor woman. I hate to see things unravel this way. It's really very sad. I feel bad for her...Not bad enough to vote for her, but still.

[Maria Carmen]

WOW! She is such a sleaze ball! How is this not on the front page of the herald? Nobody should vote for someone who lies to the public.

Best line, Responded Logan: "Yes, but they recognized me, too. They recognized me, too."

Except, they didn't.

[Abel]

Ana Rivas Logan was a great School Board member during her last year and a half or two years. It's too bad when politicians ruin themselves by going into partisan politics. Now not only is she less effective and has tarnished her own reputation- she's likely going to be out of a job soon.

[Juan Carlos]

Ana Rivas Logan is a LIAR and will be booted out of office very soon. She is an absolute disgrace and the people of South Florida deserve someone better. She only votes along party lines and doesn't have an intelligent bone in her body.

[Screwed Again]

Amazing! Diaz is backed ny insurance companies and in return he helped them raise our rates through the roof. We pay the price and he is rewarded for screwing us.

Last time I saw such biased reporting from the Herald was when the reporter covering the schools was sleeping with the married superintendent (Cavalho).

[Norman Sanders]

This DISGUSTS me, Vote Her OUT! She has soooo much baggage.

[Susanna Diaz]

Ana does not belong in the legislature. She does not have the intellect nor demeanor to represent the people on out district. She is a complete phoney who flip flops depending on her audience.

[TDavid]

Wow. This is why politicians ruin politics. They'll say anything to get elected - even if it's a blatant lie. Why not try running on honesty and truth for change, parlaying your strengths and background as a reason for voters to care? Lying to your constituants is ludicrous! How stupid do you think try are? Logan should be ashamed of herself & publicly apologize. That would restore some shred of decency...

[J. Sanchez]

Big surprise Diaz wins awards from insurance companies. He sold his people, cuban-americans", out by allowing the insurance companies to raise their rates instead of fighting for them.

Allows himself to be bought by the insurance companies to betray his own.