The Anna for Florida Blog

Dear Friend, The Orange County Legislative Delegation will meet on January 9th at the Orange County Government Administration Building. This is an opportunity to speak in person to all 15 state lawmakers who represent parts of Orange County in the state legislature....

Dear Friend, Happy Thanksgiving from the Team Anna family to yours! Our team wishes you a restful holiday and a safe weekend ahead with special thanks to those who are working this holiday season and those organizations who are spending the day serving others. I also...

Dear Friend, I am honored to announce that we received the prestigious Florida Public Media Champion Award. This honor recognizes members of the Florida Legislature who have demonstrated unwavering support for public media and its critical role in communities across...

No matter your culture or family traditions, everyone has their own special way of getting into the holiday spirit. Whether hosting a family gathering, attending a community feast, or volunteering, the holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate old traditions and...

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...

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...

Dear Friend, At Team Anna, we are working for you -- fighting for us. And we're not going to slow down in our fight for economic prosperity, educational advancement, environmental protection, and equality for all. That's why we are working with coalition partners to...

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...

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:...

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...

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...

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...

Every October, our nation observes National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month serves as a vital opportunity to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence, while also promoting healthy relationships and educating communities around detecting the signs...

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...

Dear Friend, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Florida, meaning that people in nearly three-dozen counties affected by Hurricane Milton can now get FEMA aid. The full list of 34 counties under the declaration: Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus,...

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...

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...

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...

Miami, FL (October 1, 2024) — Today, the genCLEO Action Fund proudly announced its official endorsements for 19 climate champion candidates and three amendments that will appear on the General Election ballot. The endorsed candidates are running for offices that range...

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...

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...

Rep. Eskamani is proud to be named as one of the "50 Most Powerful People of 2024 In Orlando: Politics & Government" by Orlando Magazine. You can read more below and here.

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a Hurricane Relief Drive to support fellow Floridians impacted by Hurricane Helene. Details are below. Her goal is to collect supplies throughout the week and then deliver all collected items a week from today....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

This week marks Bi Awareness week, along with Bi Visibility Day on the 23rd of September. These events represent a time to be aware of the discrimination that the bi community faces inside and outside of their community, along with the challenges that they’ve...

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...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: MomsRising and Representative Eskamani's campaign announced today that the candidate has earned a Child Care Seal of Approval from MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families. She is the...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Orlando, FL: In celebration of Women's Equality Day, Democratic women candidates running for office in Orange County, Florida, will come together to host a press conference highlighting the importance of gender equality in politics and the ongoing fight for women's...

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...

Orlando, FL: Today the Florida State Supreme Court denied a petition requested by the Yes On 4 Campaign to review political bias language that will be on the ballot as the “fiscal impact statement” designed by Florida Republicans to confuse voters. Here is...

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...

Orlando, FL: Today, the Orange County Commission will consider a proposal to eliminate the medical debt of over 150,000 residents. The plan involves partnering with the nonprofit Medical Debt Resolution Inc., which will identify individuals in Orange County with...

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...

Orlando, FL: This weekend, Representative Anna V. Eskamani walked the commencement stage at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as she completed her doctoral program in Public Affairs, focusing on Public Administration. Her dissertation, which she successfully...

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,...

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...

Volunteers Will be Helping the Nonprofit with Daily Needs and Supply Organizing Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani and the Samaritan Resource Center (SRC) are back with a Community Volunteer Day event! Join us on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024, from 9:30 a.m....

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...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: Today, President Joe Biden issued a letter saying he will end his re-election bid. Below is Representative Eskamani’s statement in response: This is the right decision for the American people and the Democratic Party. I thank President Joe Biden for...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: As reported by The Washington Post, today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a ban on homeless camping does not violate Constitution. In a 6-3 ruling, the court said homelessness is not a status protected by the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed three criminal justice bills. Each was bipartisan and supported by organizations of diverse political backgrounds. They include: Senate Bill 62 / Final Bill Analysis The bill would have helped formerly incarcerated...

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....

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....

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...

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...

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:...

Featuring Tessa Petit, Executive Director, and Renata Bozzetto, Deputy Director, of FLIC Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani will host a virtual event in partnership with FLIC on Tuesday, June 25th from 3:15PM - 3:45PM in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month,...

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...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: In March, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine et al v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration et al., a case that threatened access to mifepristone, a safe, effective medication. Mifepristone has been FDA-approved for...

Orlando, FL: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s 2024-25 budget and, in doing so, issued line-item vetos. His veto included eliminating Florida’s Cultural and Museum Grants and Cultural Facilities Grants, totaling $32,000,000 that would have gone to...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL - The Office of Representative Anna V. Eskamani is hosting a Summer Supply Drive in partnership with Pineapple Healthcare, Abrigando Corazones, and Covenant House Florida! We are accepting donations to our office from June 3rd to June 24th, 2024, that will...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL - The Office of Representative Anna V. Eskamani is hosting a Summer Supply Drive in partnership with Pineapple Healthcare, Abrigando Corazones, and Covenant House Florida! We are accepting donations to our office from June 3rd to June 24th, 2024, that will...

Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani, representing parts of Orlando, Winter Park, Belle Isle, Edgewood, Eatonville and Maitland in the Florida House, is once again taking her constituent services mobile throughout District 42. Throughout June and July, staff...

Orlando, FL - Representative Anna V. Eskamani is hosting a Foster Care Awareness Month Virtual Event with Florida Youth SHINE & Florida's Children First. May is National Foster Care Month, spreading the word about the needs of the more than 391,000 children and...

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...

Dear Friend,  Our team is coming to a public library near you! That's right, starting in June our team will be hosting rotating library hours at locations throughout Orange County to assist our constituents. Do you or a loved one need help with food stamps, business...

Dear Friend, Last week Florida's six week abortion ban went into effect. This devastating ban means that abortion seekers in our state will have to travel hundreds of miles to access care, with North Carolina and Virginia being their closest options. I spoke about...

Dear Friend, We wanted to share a really important property insurance update with you as quickly as possible. Recently, our office has heard from constituents whose homeowner’s insurance may have been incorrectly dropped by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation,...

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...

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...

Orlando, FL: Today Florida Politics reported that a Special Legislative Session may be hosted following Memorial Day to add a "handful of constitutional amendments to the ballot in effort to muddy the November ballot." Here is Representative Eskamani's statement in...

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...

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...

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...

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...