David Rivera, 3 others fall short in primary bid for congressional seat

Carlos Curbelo wins Republican nomination, will face Joe Garcia in general election

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ David Rivera won't be going back to Congress.

The former congressman and three other Republican candidates were defeated by Miami-Dade County school board member Carlos Curbelo in Tuesday's primary election for the 26th congressional district.

Curbelo will face Democrat Joe Garcia in the November general election.

The 34-year-old father of two said it's time to get to work letting voters know his message -- "a future free of corruption, free of cheating in our elections, free of fraud and, yes, the future of opportunity for every family in our country," Curbelo said.

Garcia wasted no time attacking his opponent, releasing a statement calling Curbelo "a lobbyist who refuses to disclose his big money clients and is only looking out for his own political interests."

It wasn't even close for Rivera, who is alleged to have orchestrated a straw challenger to Garcia in the 2012 Democratic primary.

Justin Lamar Sternad, a political novice who pleaded guilty to federal campaign violations, claims Ana Alliegro funneled more than $80,000 to his campaign on Rivera's behalf.

Alliegro recently pleaded guilty to all four campaign finance violations as part of a plea agreement.Ā 

Rivera, who lost to Garcia in the 2012 general election, has denied any wrongdoing.

U.S. Representative District 26 - Republican

Follow Peter Burke on Twitter @PeteBurke

Follow Janine Stanwood on Twitter @JanineStanwood

Follow Local 10 on Twitter @WPLGLocal10