The local activist group Independent Venezuelan American Citizens will meet Congressional candidate and former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez at the Sheraton Miami Mart, 711 NW 72nd Ave., at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Martinez, a Democrat, is running for the seat held by Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

Generational change and the rise of independent voters will be tested in the 21st District, which stretches from Miramar and Pembroke Pines in Broward County to Miami Lakes, Hialeah, Doral and Kendall in Miami-Dade County. The district has 124,744 Republicans and 101,267 Democrats. The numbers reflect a decline of 4,558 Republicans and a gain of 111 Democrats since the 2006 election. More significant, perhaps, is an increase of unaffiliated voters to 71,208.

The South Florida group is dedicated to encouraging more people in the fast-growing community of Venezuelan Americans to vote and run for office.