Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla serves as the City of Miami Commissioner for District One representing Flagami, Allapattah, and parts of Little Havana. As a City Commissioner, Diaz de la Portilla has championed an improved quality of life for the residents of District One through investments in infrastructure, parks, and cleanliness. Diaz de la Portilla has also been a strong advocate for more employment opportunities and a steady recovery from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Born and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Diaz de la Portilla has taken a lifelong interest in politics and turned it into a successful history of public service to his community. First elected to the State of Florida House of Representatives in 1994, Diaz de la Portilla served six years until being elected to the State of Florida Senate in 2000. He was a member of the Florida Senate until 2010. During that time, Diaz de la Portilla served as President Pro Tempore from 2002 to 2004 and as Senate Majority leader from 2008 to 2010. Diaz de la Portilla was instrumental in the passage of several key pieces of legislation especially in the areas of education reform, utility regulations, and securing transportation funding to include the City of Miami Port Tunnel project.
Commissioner Diaz de la Portilla is proud of his Cuban-American heritage as the son of Cuban exiles Miguel Ángel Díaz-Pardo and Fabiola Pura de la Portilla-García. His parent's entrepreneurial spirit drives Diaz de la Portilla's passion for helping small businesses and increasing economic opportunities for all. He comes from a long line of public servants with his paternal great-grandfather having served in the Cuban Senate, while two of his sons served simultaneously in the Cuban House of Representatives. His maternal great-grandfather served as Cuban Minister of Justice. One of four children, Diaz de la Portilla's older and younger brother have also held elected office.