The Anna for Florida Blog

Dear Friend, This morning we woke up to devastating news: A 22-year-old gunman entered an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, just before midnight and immediately opened fire, killing at least five people and injuring 18 others, before patrons confronted...

In the United States, millions of families sit around their dinner table on the fourth Thursday of November to express their gratitude and reflect as the year is coming to a close. This ritual traces back to celebratory harvest festivals hosted by indigenous people in...

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 1.5 million veterans in the State of Florida and we are humbled...

Veterans Day is a holiday that recognizes the brave individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This occasion is commemorated annually on November 11th to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918, originally referred to as “Armistice...

Dear Friend, I know we are still processing the results of the 2022 Election Cycle in Florida and are watching national results come in too -- but I did want to take a moment make sure you were prepared for Tropical Storm Nicole.  Based on the latest storm track, the...

Dear Friend, We did it -- we won our re-election and by a landslide too. Words cannot express my immense gratitude to our incredible constituents for your support, and to our volunteers who got us to the finish line. In fact, House District 42 saw an 11% greater...

Looking for ways to help get out the vote this election cycle? Well you've come to the right place! Scroll down to see upcoming events for this final GOTV push! Super Monday GOTV Phonebank | Monday, November 7th, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Join us as we call Floridians...

Orlando, FL -- Today 14 Iranian-American elected officials and candidates have released a letter of solidarity with the women and people of Iran as they risk their lives for freedom. Representative Anna V. Eskamani is one of the signers. Born in Orlando, Eskamani is...

Dear Friend, In case you missed it -- last week we were proud to earn the Orlando Sentinel's endorsement! I take a lot of pride in being a problem solver for Central Floridians, pushing back against the unnecessary culture wars while trying to alleviate the real life...

Orlando, FL— Several white supremacist Telegram channels have been sharing information about an upcoming drag story hour event at Orlando’s LGBT+ Center on October 29, 2022. This includes the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement (NSM), whose members claim they will...

This National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our team wanted to highlight the many programs and resources available to support domestic violence survivors. 

Orlando, FL - As healthcare expenses continue to rise, millions of Americans face the threat of losing coverage. The Open Enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace will reopen on Tuesday, November 1st and allow new and existing patients to either...

Orlando, FL - In honor of the passage of a one-year tax exemption for children’s diapers in Florida, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual press conference celebrating the win for Florida’s families. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 11th at...

Orange County will continue to provide assistance to tenants and landlords with the opening of phase two of its Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Saturday 10/8 at 8 a.m. Visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance NOTE: You must live in Orange County and outside the City of...

Dear Friend, This Saturday and Sunday are being dubbed as a national Weekend of Action for abortion rights. You can find a full list of events here, but below are three ways to get plugged in with what's happening right here in Central Florida. First, we have our...

Orlando, FL - More than 2.5 million Floridians were under mandatory evacuation orders when Hurricane Ian made landfall last week. Major devastation has impacted Southwest Florida and property damage has been experienced at different degrees statewide. In the wake of...

Lawmaker organizes volunteers to help clear yard debris in Orlando Orlando, FL - In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will be hosting a community clean-up Saturday, October 1st in Orlando starting at 9am.  With yard debris, fallen tree...

Dear Friend, We are working on sending a more thorough Hurricane Ian update but first wanted to bring to your attention two supply drives happening in Central Florida along with a volunteer opportunity and ways for impacted UCF students to seek support. Expect another...

Dear Friend, I am writing this email to you from my home in Orlando where we lost power and are witnessing mass flooding. Evacuations are taking place, but the impact here is nowhere near what we've witnessed in Southwest Florida. My heart aches for our state and we...

Dear Friend, The eyewall of Hurricane Ian with dangerous winds near Category 5 status has begun to make landfall over Sanibel and Captiva islands in southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service, as the system is expected to barrel its way up toward...

Dear Friend, Hurricane Ian is heading toward Florida after raking western Cuba – and evacuation orders have been made for the peninsula’s west coast ahead of what could be life-threatening storm surge in the Tampa and Fort Myers areas and flooding rains. You can plug...

Dear Friend, Tropical Storm Ian strengthened into a hurricane as it churned north toward the Gulf of Mexico. Much of Florida and the entire Tampa Bay area remained in the forecast cone and a hurricane watch was issued for the Tampa Bay area early this morning. On...

Dear Friend, Hurricane Fiona slammed into southwestern Puerto Rico on Sunday, wiping out the power grid and cutting off clean water to most of the island's residents. Hurricane Fiona continues to make landfall throughout the Caribbean too. This blackout and...

Orlando, FL: Protests have broken out in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested by Iran's "Morality Police" for "improperly" donning the hijab because she had not completely covered her hair. According to a Reuters report, she died...

Orlando, FL - According to the EPA, three Central Florida landfills are among the top emitters of greenhouse gasses in the country. Landfills like the Orange County Landfill are huge producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The...

Every year, during Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate and honor the cultures, histories, and achievements of Hispanic Americans, whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. To date, this month formally recognizes cultures from...

Orlando, FL: Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani officially endorsed Dr. Michael Daniels for Orange County School Board District 3. As an Orange County public school graduate herself, Representative Eskamani knows how incredibly important it is to have qualified,...

Orlando, FL - As the cost of living climbs across our state, many families struggle with “diaper need,” or the incapacity to afford essential hygiene products such as diapers. On July 1st, 2022, legislation took effect that created a year-long diaper tax holiday in...

Orlando, FL — Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani is excited to announce her team’s slate of Fall 2022 Legislative Interns, serving the people of Florida on Team Anna! “This fall semester, we have welcomed a brilliant team of 10 interns to serve House District 47...

Dear Friend,  Today marks twenty-one years since 9/11. We promised to never 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...

ORLANDO – The Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention Inc. (CMWP) in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Inc., Florida Department of Health in Orange County, Advent Health, and Florida Hospital will host the 19th Annual...

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...

By Anna Eskamani Guest Columnist • Aug 28, 2022 at 5:30 am • Published in the Orlando Sentinel Two months ago, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Roe v. Wade, expressly taking away the constitutional right to access abortion care from the American...

Dear Friend, I am humbled to share that we have been recognized by Orlando Weekly readers for three separate awards! ✅ Local Legend ✅ Best Local Leader During the Pandemic ✅ Best Local Politician Here's what the Orlando Weekly had to say: "Eskamani is a no-nonsense...

We are all connected by our stories. The lived experiences of the people on Team Anna are what make this work so meaningful and our impact so lasting well beyond election season. We recognize that power is not a scarce resource, but instead something that we build...

Featuring a discussion about historic women from Central Florida. Orlando, FL - In honor of Women's Equality Day, or Women’s Suffrage Day, Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual discussion dedicated to regional history and our ongoing movement for...

Dear Friend, Today is Election Day! Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. (local time). Any voters waiting in line at 7:00 p.m. will have the opportunity to cast a ballot. Click here to find your polling location and learn more about your ballot. You can also click...

Orlando, FL: Today four State House Representatives sent this letter to Attorney General Ashley Moody asking her to investigate the state’s largest utility company, Florida Power & Light (FPL). Based on the letter’s signers, there is ample evidence to suggest that...

Dear Friend, Abortion is on the ballot this year in Florida, which is why every Thursday in August we are hosting a Virtual Phone Bank to activate Florida voters about what's at stake with reproductive rights in our state. You can RSVP to join us here. Our next...

For Immediate Release: August 9, 2022 Orlando, FL - In July, state analysts predicted that nearly 850 people will move to Florida daily from 2021 to 2026. This trend coupled with surging homeowner and rental costs demands that local leaders are armed with relevant...

Dear Friend, I am proud to share that Team Anna has been nominated for FOUR different Orlando Weekly 'Best of Orlando' awards! They include *drum roll please* 🥁 🔵 Local Notables, Best Local Activist Group: Team Anna 🔵 Local Notables, Best Local Politician: Rep. Anna...

Dear Friend, Early voting begins today in Orange County and in other counties across Florida! Not sure when Early Voting starts and ends in your county? Click here to find your county and confirm. Last night we hosted a virtual event to help folks fill out their...

August 5th marks International Beer Day, where we recognize the great local breweries that serve our community here in House District 42! Drink around town at these eight small breweries and bars. Believe it or not, there is a global celebration of beer, taking place...

Orlando, FL – Governor DeSantis announced a suspension of Hillsborough County’s duly elected State Attorney, Andrew Warren. Here is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s statement in response:    “This is a gross political attack on a duly elected State Attorney who has...

Tonight Kansas voters resoundingly decided against removing the right to abortion from their State Constitution. This is a major victory for the abortion rights movement in one of America’s reliably conservative states. Below is Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s...

Featuring data scientist Arya V. Eskamani Orlando, FL - Floridians are struggling with rising costs, and our state has seen some of the highest rates of inflation. At the end of June, the national inflation rate was at 9.1% with Florida at just over 11%. The cost of...

On Thursday, July 28 at 1 p.m. ET, Rep. Eskamani joined the American Economic Liberties Project, New York Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and other state and community leaders for an important conversation and workshop about the harms of secret deals...

Representative Eskamani Serves as the Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Committee Orlando, FL: “CS/CS/SB 50: Taxation” passed by the Florida Legislature during the 2021 legislative session, and signed into law by Governor DeSantis on April 19, 2021, requires...

Dear Friend, We already knew that consultants for fossil-fuel polluter Florida Power & Light rigged our elections with “ghost candidates,” tried to bribe an elected official in Jacksonville, and plotted dark-money schemes through a fake email account for the...

Featuring The Center for Independent Living, Disability Rights FL, & Community Advocates Orlando, FL - The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public...

Dear Friend, I am proud to announce that this past weekend we were awarded the Florida PTA Legislator of the Year award! I would not be who I am or where I am today if it wasn’t for the incredible educators and support staff that got me into reading, math, technical...

In 2017, Dan Caporale, a Marine Corps veteran and the founder of Hire Our Heroes, helped to found Hire A Veteran Day which has been celebrated annually ever since on July 25th. This national day is dedicated to spreading awareness and helping the countless veterans...

Good morning! Representative Anna V. Eskamani here with a friendly reminder that today is the last day to get registered to vote for the August 23rd Election! Below are important dates to know and links to have: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE OR UPDATE YOUR...

Dear Friend, Last week, we demonstrated yet again the power of people. In less than 36 hours, volunteers mobilized to bring information to doors of folks in our district about last Friday's deadline to apply for rental assistance in Orange County. As ERAP 2 is...

Dear Friend, Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Orlando today and part of her visit will include a round table discussion with state lawmakers focused on reproductive rights. That round table will include me. I worked at Planned Parenthood before I ran for office...

Team Anna Welcomes a Cohort of Young Leaders to Serve at Their Orlando District Office Orlando, FL — Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani is excited to announce her team’s Summer 2022 Legislative Interns! “This summer semester, we have welcomed a brilliant team of 15...

As the Supreme Court rolls back reproductive rights with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Fourth of July meets us in a moment of resilience and reflection. Independence Day is meant to underscore our personal freedoms and serves as an opportunity to learn and reflect...

Orlando, FL: The Center for Reproductive Rights, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit challenging House Bill 5, Florida’s 15 week abortion ban. Today, Judge Cooper granted injunctive relief [from the bench] to delay the...

Orlando, FL: Today the Supreme Court of the United States sharply curtailed the authority of the EPA to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions that cause climate change. In a 6-3 ruling the court sides with conservative states and fossil-fuel companies in adopting a narrow...

Featuring Yoseline Rodriguez, Service Learning Director at Hope CommUnity Center Orlando, FL - It is essential to embrace conversations around immigrant heritage to honor those who have come before us and to enrich our communities for the future. Representative Anna...

Co-Hosted With Organizations Like Florida Access Network, this Event Will Focus On Ways To Take Action Post-Roe in Florida Orlando, FL:  After nearly 50 years of precedent, the Supreme Court has eliminated our constitutional right to abortion. We know that none of us...

Some folks are asking about a ballot amendment in Florida to protect abortion access. For me, we should consider all options and directions -- but in the immediate we must focus on supporting abortion funds and defeating DeSantis this November. We take down DeSantis,...

Dear Friend, Today, the US Supreme Court released their opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, and the decision is devastating for reproductive rights and American freedoms. It's a complete overturning of Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal...

Dear Friend, Today, the US Supreme Court released their opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, and the decision is devastating for reproductive rights and American freedoms. It's a complete overturning of Roe v. Wade, eliminating the federal...

This press release is from Progress Florida and Florida Watch; it is not directly associated with Representative Anna V. Eskamani or our campaign; we share it here as an ICYMI and for folks to see how their lawmaker did! Which state legislators put people ahead of...

Dear Friend, The Republican Party of Florida and the special interests who fund them have launched a smear campaign against us. This morning, they accused me and nine other Democrats of raising money during legislative session and the multiple special sessions...

Orlando, FL - According to Realtor.com’s most recent May rent report, three Florida metro areas are leading the nation in rent growth - Miami, Orlando and Tampa - causing many to declare the Sunshine State as the least affordable in the country. As prices to rent or...

Dear Friend, I just wanted to send a quick note to wish all Dads out there (including dog and cat dads) 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 to cancer in...

Last year, Congress and President Joe Biden deemed Juneteenth a federal holiday. We know in Florida and across the United States that the fight for equality, especially against voter suppression and racial discrimination has progressed, but is far from realized. Back...

Dear Friend, We are proud to announce that Team Anna has officially qualified to be on the ballot in the newly drawn House District 42! Special thank you to everyone who signed a petition for us and to our amazing volunteers -- our success is all thanks to you, and...

Dear Friend, Today marks the six year remembrance of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, where we lost 49 angels to gun violence. The majority of those directly impacted identified as LGBTQ+ and young people of color. Fathers. Mothers. Brothers. Sisters. Daughters. Sons....

Featuring bi-weekly legislative office hours in Orange County Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani, representing parts of Orlando, Winter Park, Belle Isle, Edgewood, and soon Eatonville and Maitland in the Florida House, is taking her constituent services...

Team Anna Welcomes a Cohort of Young Leaders to Serve On Her 2022 Re-Election Campaign Orlando, FL — Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani is excited to announce her team’s slate of Summer 2022 Campaign Interns! “This summer semester we welcomed a fantastic team of 8...

Arts & Culture Programs Fully Funded, but Support for People In Need Hard to Find Orlando, FL --  Florida’s State Budget saw the Governor veto $3.1 billion in line-items from the original document approved by the Legislature in the spring. Vetoes included support...

As Legislative Leadership Fails to Address the Climate Emergency, #OnlyOneEarth Plans for Reform. This blog post is written by Team Anna intern Madison Clearman. Orlando, FL - Since 1973, UN Environment Day, or World Environment Day, has been held on June 5th around...

Orlando, FL: Today, the Center for Reproductive Rights, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit challenging House Bill 5, Florida’s 15 week abortion ban. Here is Representative Eskamani’s response: “I stand in full support of this...

As Another Hurricane Season Begins, Florida Governor and Legislative Leadership Fail to Address the Growing Climate Crisis Orlando, FL - On Earth Day 2022, State Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) and 27 other state representatives sent a letter to Governor...

The Sophomore Democrat Continues to Stay Focused on Serving Her District Orlando, FL: Today Representative Anna V. Eskamani announced that her re-election campaign has knocked on 10,285 doors in the newly drawn House District 42. Meeting constituents at the doors is a...

Joined with Embrace Families to learn about Florida's foster care system and what we can do to help. Orlando, FL - Presently, there are 407,000 American children and youth in foster care and this May, Representative Anna V. Eskamani is joining Embrace Families to...

Joined by the state lead for Make Us Visible Florida, Mimi Chan Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani believes it is essential to celebrate the rich diversity of Florida’s families. On Thursday May 19th at 1:30PM, the Representative will host a virtual event...

In partnership with Pernell Bush, LCSW, CNP of K.E.Y. Counseling Solutions Orlando, FL - It is essential to embrace conversations around mental health to ensure the long-term safety and wellbeing of our communities. Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual...

Joined by advocates within the Florida Department of Veterans’ Services, Orange County Veterans’ Services and the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association Orlando, FL - With Memorial Day just two weeks away, Representative Anna V. Eskamani remains...

Orlando, FL - On Monday, May 2nd, Politico published a leaked draft Supreme Court majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that explicitly overturns Roe v. Wade. This would reverse nearly 50 years of precedent and explicitly end federal...

Dear Friend,  Happy Mother's Day from my family to yours! And while I have you, I wanted to share a quick story about my Mom. When I was in elementary school, my Mom would pack my lunch for me. It was never anything too fancy, usually a small apple, sandwich, and 30...

Dear Friend, By now you've heard the news that a draft SCOTUS opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was leaked, and would completely dismantle the protections established under Roe v. Wade. This morning, Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the...

Orlando, FL — The Supreme Court  will strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by POLITICO. You can read the Politico article...

Good evening,  We know that the cost of housing in Florida has become a daily crisis for hardworking people. And at Team Anna, we are committed to helping folks navigate any challenge that comes your way, and are focused on solutions and problem solving. With that...

A virtual conversation with Joseph (Joey) Knoll, MSN, APRN CEO and Medical Services Director at SPEKTRUM Health and Andrew Lent, MPH, Healthcare Equity Trainer at Equality Florida Orlando, FL - Following recent and persistent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and...

TALLAHASSEE -- Today, Representative Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) and House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis asking that he expand the call for the special session on property and homeowners insurance to include proposals that would provide...

Dear Friend, The Governor just vetoed HB741, the anti-rooftop bill originally drafted by Florida Power & Light (FPL) that would have decimated the rooftop solar industry. This is a huge win for the people of Florida and kudos goes to the thousands of advocates...

Dear Friend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis proved something to us all last week: He is focused entirely on practicing the kind of petty, punitive and performative politics that he thinks will help his future presidential campaign – and not at all on actually doing his job...

Featuring Senior Resource Alliance’s CEO & President, Karla Radka Orlando, FL - The Senior Resource Alliance (SRA) is Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties’ local resource for accessing the many services and programs of the state and federal government,...

Featuring Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, Tasha Carter Orlando, FL - Multiple insurance companies are pulling out of Florida, leaving homeowners with less options and skyrocketing rates. Now, Florida homeowners are unsure where to turn. Even Representative...

Only 1% of Florida businesses even pay a corporate income tax, and now they’re getting a $624 million tax refund Orlando, FL -- At a time when Floridians are experiencing skyrocketing rent and property insurance rates, Governor Ron DeSantis is allowing the state’s...

The 2022 Laboratories of Democracy Initiative Will Focus on Climate and Energy Policy Orlando, FL -- Representative Anna V. Eskamani has been selected as one of seven state policymakers from around the United States to participate in the Aspen Institute of Germany's...

Orlando, FL - A flight attendant's work begins well before a flight takes off, but that doesn't mean they always get paid for it. In fact, flight attendants in the United States overwhelmingly do not get paid for boarding, only once airplane doors close and the plane...

As Governor DeSantis prepares to hand out $624 million of our dollars to top 1% profitable corporations, Representatives Nixon and Eskamani requests corporate tax transparency As Governor Ron DeSantis prepares to hand out $624M of Floridians’ public dollars to the top...