The Anna for Florida Blog

Recording Available: Prepare & Protect – Facing Trump 2025 Together

Recording Available: Prepare & Protect – Facing Trump 2025 Together

In response to the return of an extreme Trump Administration, Team Anna joined coalition partners in hosting a virtual event called Prepare & Protect: Facing Trump 2025 Together. This event outlined the anticipated impacts on Florida via a Trump Administration and...

Honoring Our Veterans 🇺🇲

Honoring Our Veterans 🇺🇲

Dear Friend, Today is Veterans Day -- a moment to honor the contributions of our military service members, and recommit ourselves to ensuring the health and well-being of our veterans. There are close to 1.3 million veterans in the State of Florida and we are humbled...

Rep. Eskamani’s Statement on Florida’s Amendment

Rep. Eskamani’s Statement on Florida’s Amendment

Dear Friend, Amendment 4 secured 57% of voter support. Though that was not enough to amend Florida’s State Constitution, it is still a historic outcome that demonstrates how the majority of Floridians reject the state’s near-total abortion ban. Amendment 4 has also...

🗳️ TODAY IS ELECTION DAY ✅

🗳️ TODAY IS ELECTION DAY ✅

Dear Friend, Today is Election Day! Polls are open across the country and right here in Orange County. If you didn't vote early or vote-by-mail, you need to go in-person to your polling location ASAP -- polls are open from 7AM-7PM. Let's break down your options:...

You’re Invited: Democratic Election Watch Party In Orlando 📺

You’re Invited: Democratic Election Watch Party In Orlando 📺

Dear Friend, After you vote and get your loved ones to vote, join the Orange County Democratic Party and our candidates for an Election Night Watch Party! The event will kick off at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 5th. RSVP here. We'll be joined by several candidates and...

Happy World Vegan Month!

Happy World Vegan Month!

November marks World Vegan Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about and celebrating a plant-based lifestyle and its benefits on the environment and health. Veganism is an important reminder of the role each and everyone one of us can play in protecting our...

Orlando Get Out the Vote Rally for Yes On 4

Orlando Get Out the Vote Rally for Yes On 4

Dear Friend, Join fellow Floridians for a rally for our freedoms and an action-packed weekend to get out the vote in support of Amendment 4. The powerful rally will start at 9:30am and feature guest speakers, music, and inspiration for the final days of critical voter...

Voter Guidance: Track Your Ballot & Check Early Vote Wait Times

Voter Guidance: Track Your Ballot & Check Early Vote Wait Times

Dear Friend,  I wanted to share some important Orange County voter information. First, if you are voting by mail -- make sure you track your ballot. You can do so via this link. Remember, the Orange County SOE must receive and accept your ballot no later than 7:00pm...

Spreading Kindness and Taking Action: Bullying Prevention Month

Spreading Kindness and Taking Action: Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time dedicated to protecting communities and taking a stand for others. We all can help prevent bullying by fostering a culture of respect and empathy in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities, and taking time...

Hurricane Milton Volunteer Opportunities with Team Anna

Hurricane Milton Volunteer Opportunities with Team Anna

Dear Friend, Due to the impact of Hurricane Milton in our state, we've canceled our campaign canvassing for this weekend and will instead host a neighbor-to-neighbor virtual phone bank to check in with community members and see what support is needed post-Milton. You...

Reducing Stigma and Silence: World Mental Health Day

Reducing Stigma and Silence: World Mental Health Day

October 10th is internationally recognized as World Mental Health Day. Although discussions centered around mental health are not only confined to this day, this event serves as a reminder to prioritize mental well-being. It is a chance to break silence, reduce...

Rep. Eskamani’s Guide for Hurricane Milton

Rep. Eskamani’s Guide for Hurricane Milton

CLICK HERE FOR MOST UPDATED HURRICANE GUIDE Working For You, Fighting For Us Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay, leading to evacuation orders...

Rep. Eskamani Endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel

Rep. Eskamani Endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel

We are proud to be endorsed by our hometown paper! You can read the full endorsement here and below.  It’s been nearly 14 years since the Orlando Sentinel first introduced its readers to a UCF student just a few days shy of her 21st birthday — and absolutely incensed...

Watch me debate my opponent 🍿

Watch me debate my opponent 🍿

Dear Friend, Yesterday morning I debated my opponent on WESH 2 news. You can gab some popcorn, and watch the full clip below. https://youtu.be/XFQBtPHHus4?si=rmX0cjGVovgSNe6w I also spoke to the Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, though my opponent failed to attend...

The Trail Blazers Throughout LGBTQIA+ History in Central Florida

The Trail Blazers Throughout LGBTQIA+ History in Central Florida

This month, we will celebrate activists that pioneered queer rights today, but many of their predecessors will go unnoticed. Efforts to erase LGBTQIA+ history are growing across the nation, especially in our state of Florida. To ensure that LGBTQIA+ history is not...

Florida Republicans are spreading lies about me.

Florida Republicans are spreading lies about me.

Dear Friend, I'm sad to report that the Republican Party of Florida is at it again, this time spreading lies by placing all of our nation's economic challenges squarely on me. That's right -- apparently, I am so omnipotent as a member of the Minority Caucus in the...

GIFFORDS PAC makes key down ballot endorsements in Florida and Texas

GIFFORDS PAC makes key down ballot endorsements in Florida and Texas

WASHINGTON — Today, GIFFORDS PAC, the national gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, made key endorsements in state legislative races across Florida and Texas. Earlier this year, GIFFORDS launched GIFFORDS Texas, a...

Rep. Eskamani’s Guide for Hurricane Helene

Rep. Eskamani’s Guide for Hurricane Helene

Working For You, Fighting For Us Hurricane Helene strengthened into a Category 4 storm ahead of its expected landfall on Florida’s northwest coast Thursday night as forecasters warned that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge and bring dangerous...

‘Go into hurricane mode now’: Preparing for an upcoming storm

‘Go into hurricane mode now’: Preparing for an upcoming storm

Dear Friend, Hurricane and storm surge watches covered much of the Gulf Coast of Florida on Tuesday morning as a system churning in the Caribbean Sea was expected to strengthen rapidly into a powerful hurricane. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm – soon...

Republicans Are Funding Attacks and Spewing Hate in Our District

Republicans Are Funding Attacks and Spewing Hate in Our District

Dear Friend, When you have no plan to address the property insurance crisis or cost of living, then all you can do is attack marginalized people and spread hateful attacks across our community. This is a mailer my Republican opponent sent to our constituents over the...

HELP COMBAT LIES ABOUT FLORIDA’S ABORTION BAN & AMENDMENT 4

HELP COMBAT LIES ABOUT FLORIDA’S ABORTION BAN & AMENDMENT 4

Respond to what you see.. When you see misinformation and lies, call it out! This page and slide deck will unpack some of these lies to help you be an advocate. Also: volunteer to help get out the vote for Amendment 4! That is one of the clearest ways you can help....

Honoring lives lost on 9/11 🕯️

Honoring lives lost on 9/11 🕯️

Dear Friend, Today marks twenty-three years since 9/11. We promised never to forget, and I still grieve for every life lost on that terrible morning, and for every person who lost loved ones too. Orlando knows how to find power in pain, and though 9/11 marks difficult...

Florida Goes Full Police State Over Abortion Ballot Initiative

Florida Goes Full Police State Over Abortion Ballot Initiative

Dear Friend, I don't use these words lightly, but the State of Florida has engaged in police-state measures in an attempt to stop us from restoring reproductive freedom this November. It has been reported this week that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration...

Honoring Labor Day 💪

Honoring Labor Day 💪

Dear Friend, I’m the daughter of working-class immigrants, of parents who had to work multiple minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet. Before my Mom passed away to cancer in 2004, my twin sister, Ida, and I would sometimes join her when she was working shifts at...

21st ANNUAL CARIBBEAN HEALTH SUMMIT MOVE TO A NEW LOCATION

21st ANNUAL CARIBBEAN HEALTH SUMMIT MOVE TO A NEW LOCATION

More people expected to be reached during the 2024 Annual Caribbean Health Summit ORLANDO, Fla. – Mark your calendar for the 21st Annual Caribbean Health Summit that will be taking place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Orange County Multicultural Center...

Rep. Eskamani Responds to DeSantis’ Statement on State Parks

Rep. Eskamani Responds to DeSantis’ Statement on State Parks

Orlando, FL: After days of backlash and after FDEP tried to defend these terrible proposals to pave over our state parks, Governor DeSantis now says it’s time to “go back to the drawing board” with these awful proposals. Below is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s...

UPDATED: 🚨 Urgent Action Alert to Protect Florida’s State Parks

UPDATED: 🚨 Urgent Action Alert to Protect Florida’s State Parks

UPDATE: After days of backlash and after FDEP tried to defend these terrible proposals to pave over our state parks, Governor DeSantis now says it’s time to “go back to the drawing board" with these terrible proposals. Not only should all of these proposals be...

Rep. Eskamani Wins Best Of Orlando ✨

Rep. Eskamani Wins Best Of Orlando ✨

Dear Friend, I am humbled to share that Orlando Weekly readers have once more honored us with the recognition of Best Local Elected Official!  At Team Anna, our slogan is: Working For You, Fighting For Us. We take this phrase to heart, and it impacts everything we do,...

🚨 Urgent Action Alert to Protect Florida’s State Parks

🚨 Urgent Action Alert to Protect Florida’s State Parks

Dear Friend, Florida’s environmental agency has unveiled major development proposals for nine state parks, a sweeping initiative that would further threaten sensitive, already imperiled habitat. You can read more via reporting by the Tampa Bay Times here. These...

Celebrating Senior Citizens Day!

Celebrating Senior Citizens Day!

August 21st marks Senior Citizens Day, when we celebrate those who came before us and continue to share their wisdom and joy with us.  Here at Team Anna, we honor and respect our elders and are here to serve however we can! Below are some resources for senior...

Early Voting Starts Today 🗳️

Early Voting Starts Today 🗳️

Dear Friend, Early voting in Florida begins on August 5-10th in most counties. Are you ready to vote in the August elections?! The time to make your plan to vote is now. Whether you want to vote early, vote-by-mail, or on election day--we're here to help you ensure...

The Last Chapter of My UCF Story

The Last Chapter of My UCF Story

Dear Friend, My UCF story started long before I stepped onto campus as an undergraduate student in 2008. In fact, my dad, while raising three kids with my mom and working full-time, went to UCF in the 1990s. I remember playing on campus, rolling down Reflecting Pond,...

Tropical Storm Watches & Warnings for Central Florida 🌀

Tropical Storm Watches & Warnings for Central Florida 🌀

Dear Friend, The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Four, formerly known as Invest 97L, which has a strong chance of becoming a tropical depression and potentially Tropical Storm Debby this weekend near Florida. It’s time...

Celebrating Black Business Month in Central Florida!

Celebrating Black Business Month in Central Florida!

August is Black Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the dedication and achievements of Black business owners. This month, make an effort to support and discover Black-owned businesses by shopping with them and spreading the word about their contributions...

Happy Back to School Month from Team Anna!

Happy Back to School Month from Team Anna!

It is officially National Back to School Month! Since the 1960s, August has been a time when students, families, and teachers celebrate and prepare for the new school year. This season brings the excitement of shopping for supplies and finalizing lesson plans, but...

Pool and Ocean Safety: World Drowning Prevention Day

Pool and Ocean Safety: World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day is held annually on July 25th. This day was declared through the April 2021 UN General Assembly Resolution, “Global drowning prevention.” This resolution acknowledges the importance of drowning prevention and calls for coordinated action...

Plastic Free July in House District 42: The Home Farm

Plastic Free July in House District 42: The Home Farm

The Home Farm is a small business making sustainable packaged home and beauty products, founded by Eren Tatari, a professor and urban farmer who prizes a zero waste, minimalist lifestyle for her and her family. Amanda Sosa Stone, co-owner and CEO, fell in love with...

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Everoak Farm

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Everoak Farm

Everoak Farm is a small family business in Central Florida founded by Mike Garcia. Located at 2335 Carrington Drive in Orlando, Everoak Farm aims to provide clean, nutritious, and locally grown food through sustainable and regenerative farming practices. They utilize...

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Honey House Vintage

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Honey House Vintage

Honey House Vintage is a collective vintage shop in Orlando, run by Nicole Escobar. She grew up going antiquing with her mom, who always decorated their house with beautiful vintage antique collectibles. She always dreamed of creating that same cozy and welcoming...

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Oh Eco

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Oh Eco

Oh Eco is Orlando’s one stop eco-friendly shop. Run by Alyssa, Oh Eco is a place for both sustainability and community. Oh Eco has refills to help you divert your waste and lots of eco-friendly options for your home, children, and gifts. They host classes, clothing...

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Good Fills

Plastic Free July in House District 42: Good Fills

Good Fills is a small business in Central Florida founded by Jennie Lee and Trung Tran. Good Fills aims to reduce waste caused by single-use plastics and disposable containers with a quality, safe, and affordable solution. They offer a wide selection of eco-friendly...

Fourth of July: A Path to Progress and Change

Fourth of July: A Path to Progress and Change

It’s been 248 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed. On this day, we reflect on our nation’s origin and recommit to building a better nation for all.  Along with usual traditions like parties, fireworks, and barbeques, make sure to keep up the fight...

Celebrate & Take Action for Plastic Free July!

Celebrate & Take Action for Plastic Free July!

This month, we are celebrating Plastic Free July. Plastic is one of the most used materials in the world because it is so easy to use, cheap, and very versatile. But have you ever thought about the effects of this material? The UN Environment Program states that about...

Down ticket races matter now more than ever

Down ticket races matter now more than ever

Dear Friend, I just watched the Presidential debate, and as I process what took place on that debate stage, I feel an even deeper sense of urgency to get out the vote this August and November for myself and other down-ballot races. Here's why. Data repeatedly tells us...

Rep. Eskamani Responds to EMTALA SCOTUS Case Decision 

Rep. Eskamani Responds to EMTALA SCOTUS Case Decision 

Orlando, FL: Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court erroneously — and briefly — posted an opinion on the court’s website that seems to indicate that the court will temporarily allow abortions in medical emergencies in Idaho. Today, an official decision was released that...

Update on EMTALA Supreme Court Case

Update on EMTALA Supreme Court Case

Dear Friend, I wanted to make sure you heard this news. Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court erroneously — and briefly — posted an opinion on the court’s website that seems to indicate that the court will temporarily allow abortions in medical emergencies in Idaho....

Tu guía de recursos comunitarios para la Florida Central

Tu guía de recursos comunitarios para la Florida Central

Estimado amigo, Gracias por visitar nuestra Guía de Recursos Comunitarios de la Florida Central. Comenzamos esta página como un recurso para problemas de COVID19 en 2020, pero a lo largo de los años la hemos ampliado para cubrir múltiples necesidades de la comunidad....

YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

Read this guide in Spanish here/Lea esta guía en Español aquí Dear Friend, Thank you for visiting our Central Florida Community Resource Guide. We first started this page as a resource for COVID19 issues back in 2020, but over the years have expanded it to cover...

Two Years Since the Fall of Roe

Two Years Since the Fall of Roe

Orlando, FL: The June 24, 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization sparked legislative action, protest, and numerous lawsuits — placing the issue of abortion access at the center of politics across the country. Abortion is now banned at all stages...

Legislative Concepts to Help Address Property Insurance Crisis

Legislative Concepts to Help Address Property Insurance Crisis

The soaring cost of property insurance is an absolute crisis in Florida. I get asked all the time for my perspective on the problem and what I would do to help Floridians struggling to stay in their homes. So I wanted to lay out some thoughts in one place. Here it is:...

Rep. Eskamani Recognized as Champion for the People

Rep. Eskamani Recognized as Champion for the People

This week, Representative Anna V. Eskamani received recognition for her leadership in championing policy that benefits everyday people and in challenging corporate special interests in the State Legislature. This recognition took take shape in two ways. First, the...

Happy Father’s Day from Team Anna ❤️

Happy Father’s Day from Team Anna ❤️

Dear Friend, I wanted to wish all Dads out there a Happy Father's Day! Each day, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for my Dad, who raised a family of three kids on his own after our Mom passed away from cancer in 2004. He worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, and his...

Honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month

Honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month

Caribbean American Heritage Month is an important celebration that recognizes the achievements and rich culture of the millions of Caribbean Americans who have come to the United States to continue their lives. The annual commemoration of this month serves as a way to...

Commemorating Juneteenth in Central Florida

Commemorating Juneteenth in Central Florida

Whether you call it Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or the country’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth is one of the most important anniversaries in our nation’s history. Last year, Congress and President Joe Biden deemed Juneteenth a federal holiday. We know in...

Honoring The Lives Lost at Pulse, Eight Years Later

Honoring The Lives Lost at Pulse, Eight Years Later

On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub, a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people in Orlando. This tragic mass shooting left 49 people dead, more than 50 wounded, and an entire community in trauma and grief. It remains one of the deadliest mass...

Representative Anna V. Eskamani to Host Conway Community Cleanup

Representative Anna V. Eskamani to Host Conway Community Cleanup

Orlando, FL -- Representative Anna V. Eskamani is hosting a community cleanup event for the Conway Community alongside Keep Orlando Beautiful! Scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 from 9 AM to 11 AM, participants will be provided with the supplies they need to help...

Why I’m Team Anna by Jonathan Torres-Discua

Why I’m Team Anna by Jonathan Torres-Discua

We’re bringing back our Why I'm #TeamAnna series, an effort to showcase all of the remarkable people who are a part of our work! Whether you are a Team Anna volunteer or intern, or are just tipping your toe into politics, we want to hear from you and put you --our...

Celebrating Pride Month in Central Florida!

Celebrating Pride Month in Central Florida!

Since the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, June has been a month of protest, celebration, and reflection for LGBTQIA+ Americans. While there have been numerous victories in achieving LGBTQIA+ equality since Stonewall, such as Obergefell v. Hodges or the Respect for...

Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month in Central Florida

Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month in Central Florida

June marks Immigrant Heritage Month. This month we come together to honor the great contributions of immigrants to our country and celebrate their diverse backgrounds and profound impact. According to the American Immigration Council, a substantial population of...

Honoring Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Honoring Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Dear Friend, Today, we express our gratitude to our fallen heroes and send love and support to their families. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. This day...

Anna Gets F from Florida Chamber, and A+ For the Community

Anna Gets F from Florida Chamber, and A+ For the Community

F grade from the Florida Chamber means an A+ for everyday working people and small businesses. Proud to operate a campaign and legislative office free of corporate influence and to have a voting record focused on constituents and community. See how your state lawmaker...

Remembering my Mom this Mother’s Day 🌸

Remembering my Mom this Mother’s Day 🌸

Dear Friend, Happy Mother's Day from my family to yours. I am not going to lie, this can be a hard day for me -- my Mom passed away after a long fight with cancer back in 2004. I was just 13 years old. I miss her terribly, every single day. Here's a photo of my Mom...

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May marks the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States—a time to honor the myriad contributions of AAPI communities to various sectors of American society, including arts, sciences, medicine, politics, and more! In...

Mental Health Awareness Month: A Time to Unite, Educate, and Assist

Mental Health Awareness Month: A Time to Unite, Educate, and Assist

Throughout this month, mental health awareness comes to the forefront of the discussion and is a vital opportunity to break the stigma around mental health. As well as discussing what mental health awareness is, this month serves to raise awareness and educate about...

A Timeline of Labor History and Movement in Central Florida

A Timeline of Labor History and Movement in Central Florida

From the citrus fields to the busy theme parks, Central Florida’s labor history has been shaped by the efforts of labor activists and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of workers. The region’s labor history is woven with the struggles and triumphs of...

Florida’s 6 Week Abortion Ban Goes Into Effect on May 1st

Florida’s 6 Week Abortion Ban Goes Into Effect on May 1st

Dear Friend, On May 1st Florida's 6 week abortion ban will go into effect. This is by far one of the most extreme abortion bans in the nation, and will impact not just Floridians but thousands of abortion seekers who have traveled to our state for care. Below is a...

Celebrating Earth Day in House District 42 and Beyond!

Celebrating Earth Day in House District 42 and Beyond!

As Earth Day 2024 draws near, it's a powerful reminder of the collective action we must take to ensure the sustainability and health of our planet for all. At Team Anna, we are deeply committed to environmental stewardship and understand that the well-being of the...

Rest In Peace to the Honorable Bob Graham

Rest In Peace to the Honorable Bob Graham

Dear Friend, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a true titan in Florida politics and a dedicated public servant, Bob Graham. As a former United States Senator and Governor of Florida, Bob Graham dedicated his life to serving the people with...

Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month in Central Florida!

Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month in Central Florida!

As we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, it's imperative to recognize the rich tapestry of Arab culture and heritage woven into the fabric of American society. While often overshadowed by other narratives, Arab Americans have significantly contributed to various...

Providing Love and Support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Providing Love and Support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This April, as we mark the 23rd anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we're reminded of the collective journey toward creating safer communities. Our acknowledgment of SAAM's history—from the founding of the first rape crisis center to the nationwide...