Election Day will mark my last day as your State Representative.
For the past few weeks, our team has been doing the important work of ending with intention. That has meant getting through hundreds of emails and constituent cases, very late nights packing up our legislative office on Concord Street, carrying boxes across town, and saying goodbye to a space that became home for so many Floridians who walked through our doors.
Even with our Office Goodbye Party, leaving has been harder than I expected.
Eight years ago, you took a chance on a daughter of working-class immigrants, a proud product of Orange County Public Schools and UCF, who believed government could be a force for good.
I’ve spent every day since trying to earn that trust.
Looking back, here’s some of what we built together:
- Ensuring tens of thousands of residents get unemployment benefits, housing assistance, and other critical support to keep them economically secure;
- Brought home hundreds of millions of dollars for our community, including the Loch Haven Chain of Lakes, the Pulse Permanent Memorial, Mead Gardens, public safety, and human trafficking prevention;
- Passed bipartisan drowning prevention legislation and championed the diaper tax exemption for Florida families;
- Fought for arts funding, our state parks, and our environment, and pressed as Ranking Member of Ways & Means and State Affairs for policy that puts working Floridians first;
- Defended against some of the worst bills and policies in Florida history, going to court when necessary and fighting with courage and conviction;
- Hosted hundreds of town halls, workshops, supply drives, and community events, because you deserve a government that shows up every day.
None of this happened because of one person in one office. It happened because you called, testified, knocked on doors, donated, volunteered, and refused to give up on this state.
This was always your seat. The people’s seat. And though it’s always hard to say goodbye, I am excited for what comes next.
As we move out of one office, we’re moving into a new campaign office for our Orlando Mayoral bid. And I can’t wait to show it to you when it’s ready.
But for now, I need you to vote in tomorrow’s election, and if you’ve already voted, make sure your friends and family have voted too. Democracy is not passive; each of us must participate, especially if we hope to deliver economic prosperity and safety for all.
Create your plan to vote here.
Onward,
PS: Be sure to check out our Office Goodbye playlist on Spotify here.