WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced 2024 Spotlight candidates in Florida running in target races to make gains in the Sunshine state. These bold Spotlight candidates provide opportunities to flip and defend competitive seats and chip away at the Republican majorities in the state legislature.
The Spotlight candidates unveiled today are:
- Rep. Tom Keen (HD-35) is a former U.S. Naval Flight Officer and leader in the aerospace training industry running to defend the Florida House seat he flipped in a special election earlier this year. As a state House member, Tom has fought back against GOP extremism on issues like reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and public education. If Tom wins reelection, he will continue to be a critical champion for Florida’s working families at a time when their most fundamental rights are under attack.
- Daryl Parks (SD-3) is an attorney running to flip a seat in the Florida Senate. Daryl picked oranges after school alongside his mother and grandmother and was the first member of his family to graduate from college. After finishing law school, he founded a successful firm that devotes time to civil rights cases. Daryl’s career has focused on standing up for hard-working Floridians, and he’s ready to take the fight to Tallahassee. If elected, Daryl will work to fund public schools, protect reproductive freedom, and be a voice for every resident of the Sunshine State.
- Sarah Henry (HD-38) is a non-profit leader running to flip a seat in the Florida House. Sarah’s commitment to public service was inspired by her grandfather, who served on U.S. Naval nuclear submarines for twenty years before running for local office. Joining her state’s legislature is Sarah’s way of honoring him by giving back to the community. If Sarah is elected, she will fight for positive social change by increasing access to affordable housing, investing in the public school system, and restoring the right to abortion in Florida.
- Leonard Spencer (HD-45) is a business leader running for the Florida House to flip his district blue. Leonard works to create partnerships with large and small businesses to create jobs and bring economic opportunities to Florida’s working families. He sees the need in Tallahassee for sensible leaders like himself who can bridge ideological divides to serve the people’s best interests. If Leonard wins his race for the state House, he will work to restore reproductive freedom, bring down the cost of living, and uplift public education.
- Maria Revelles (HD-47) is a non-profit founder and union leader running to flip a seat in the Florida House this November. Maria’s career is focused on advocating for affordable housing because she believes every working family deserves a stable home where they can build a thriving future. If Maria is elected, she will be a vehement advocate for all Floridians as she works to improve the lives of her constituents. In addition to access to affordable housing, Maria is committed to helping lower the cost of living, protecting reproductive freedom, and strengthening the public school system.
- Jay Shooster (HD-91) is a public interest legal counselor and born-and-raised Floridian running to flip a seat in the Florida House. Jay has represented leading organizations working in labor rights, environmental justice, and consumer protections, and has been a key player in the fight for responsible applications of “AI” technology. Jay is committed to pushing back against extremism to make real progress on issues affecting Florida’s working families like lowering the cost of living, preventing gun violence, and restoring reproductive freedom.
- Joe Saunders (HD-106) is a university professor, non-profit leader, and lifelong Floridian running to flip a seat in the Florida House. Joe began his work in public service as a student organizer while attending the University of Central Florida, and he soon became a powerful force for progress in his community. In 2012, Joe was elected to the state House and made history as one of Florida’s first openly gay state legislators. Now he’s ready to rejoin the chamber and continue the fight for safer communities, climate resiliency, and access to affordable health care.
Republicans in the Florida legislature made headlines in 2022 when they passed the nation’s first ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, and Republicans have been leading the nation in extreme legislation since then. Earlier this year, the GOP passed a devastating 6-week abortion ban that went into effect, and once again refused to act on Medicaid expansion. GOP dominance in Florida is out of step with Floridians and these Spotlight candidates are running to better represent their communities. These seven candidates join over 180 state legislative candidates in our Spotlight program who are running across the country to build Democratic power and counter MAGA control of state legislatures.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“GOP leadership in the Florida legislature has become notorious for prioritizing divisive
culture wars instead of solving real problems. The Republican trifecta has advanced a MAGA agenda that undermines our freedoms and in response, these dynamic Florida Democrats are stepping up to challenge GOP dominance. With a focus on the issues that matter most, these candidates are standing up to Republicans’ attacks on freedoms and democracy. By winning these races and chipping away at entrenched Republican power, we can help state Democrats lead Florida to a brighter future.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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