FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2017
CONTACT: Anna V. Eskamani / anna@annaforflorida.com / 407-376-3609
The first time candidate and her team are unstoppable
Orlando, FL — Democratic candidate for Florida House District 47 Anna V. Eskamani has officially qualified for the 2018 Election through the collection of more than a 1,400 candidate petitions.
Anna and her team collected 1,484 petitions from HD47 that were officially verified by the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. The first time candidate launched her campaign back in July, and since then she has dominated the political landscape with fundraising success, influential endorsements, and a powerful field operation. She needed 1,220 petitions to qualify.
“As an Orlando native it’s incredibly humbling to be surrounded by so much local love and support,” said Anna. “ I am the sum of those around me, and it was 109 volunteers who knocked on 4,691 neighborhood doors and crowd canvassed at events across HD47 that got us to where we are today. Organized people will change the face of Florida politics, and it’s starting right here in Central Florida with our campaign, and with the 1,484 voters who have joined our movement.”
The deadline to qualify for the 2018 Election is in June 2018. Some candidates pay a qualifying fee, while others choose to qualify by petition. “Qualifying by petition takes time, commitment, and when done right demonstrates strong community support, the kind of support that a candidate needs if they expect to win,” added Democratic strategist Steve Schale. “The fact that Anna qualified by petition and qualified this early is reflective of her viability as a candidate and ability to motivate people to take action.”
Anna is a first time candidate but the twenty-seven year old is no stranger to building movements. Her first attempt at petition gathering was in 5th grade and she’s held politicians accountable for a long time. In fact, she was one of the lead organizers of a rally against President Trump’s Muslim Ban at the Orlando International Airport that attracted over 1,000 people in less than 24 hours. Her field success matches her fundraising success, and so far Anna has raised more than $140,000.
Anna is a first-generation Floridians and her parents were both immigrants from Iran who met in the Sunshine State. Anna’s Mom, Nasrin Eskamani, passed away from cancer in 2004. Her Dad, Behrooz Eskamani, knows that Anna’s Mom would be proud: “Nasrin and I worked hard each day to give our children a better life. Anna is her mother’s daughter — driven, compassionate, and selfless. She is running for office to make sure all people can have a better life, and I know Nasrin would be proud.”
Anna and her team show no sign of slowing down, and has already announced plans for her 2018 Canvass Kickoff. Her first Canvass Kickoff attracted more than 50 volunteers and no doubt this one will do the same. Click here to learn more.
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More About Anna
Anna V. Eskamani is lifelong Orlando Native and daughter of immigrant parents who has worked relentlessly her entire life to protect all members of our community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and strategic management. A community organizer with a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values, Anna currently serves as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.* She manages a team across 22 counties and is known in the legislature and across the nation as an advocate for women’s health and equality. Anna is also a PhD student in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching Intro to Women’s Studies. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna is a progressive who has proven herself as a leader who works hard, delivers results, and gets things done.
* Provided for biographical purposes only