Ending an unusual string of eight special elections for legislative seats, Berger Singerman partner Javier Fernandez is heading to the Florida House.

The South Miami Democrat captured nearly 51 percent of the vote as Democrats declared victory late Tuesday in a special election in Miami-Dade County's House District 114.

A member of the law firm's government and regulatory team, Fernandez's law practice focuses on land use and zoning, real estate, and state and local government advocacy.

The race was closely watched as Democrats sought to hold onto a seat left vacant late last year when former Rep. Daisy Baez, D-Coral Gables, resigned after pleading guilty to a perjury charge in an investigation into her residency.

Republican Andrew Vargas received nearly 47 percent of the vote Tuesday night, while unaffiliated candidate Liz de las Cuevas got more than 2 percent.

Fernandez issued a statement through the Florida Democratic Party saying he is “beyond grateful to be chosen to serve the people in the community I love.” He raised $267,721 for the race, while Vargas brought in $293,973, finance reports show.

“I am proud of the campaign we ran, we spoke to people about issues in our community, about improving our public schools, protecting our children from gun violence, improving Florida's infrastructure and taking real action to deal with climate change,” Fernandez said in the statement.

Jim Saunders reports for the News Service of Florida.