Anna V. Eskamani

She ran for the open seat vacated by Republican Mike Miller, who had served two terms in the district before announcing a run for Congress.

[8][9][10][11][12] Eskamani identifies as a progressive Democrat, and focused her campaign on enhancing public education, protecting the environment, ensuring health care access and prioritizing gun control legislation.

[13] During her campaign, Eskamani gained national media attention for her advocacy on women's issues and gun control legislation.

[21] Her Republican opponent, Stockton Reeves VI, sent out at least twenty-five pieces of mail alongside three television ads that were negative toward Eskamani.

[4] During the first week of legislative committee meetings in Tallahassee, Eskamani made a public decision to not attend a freshman reception hosted by Associated Industries of Florida.

[28] She was also a leader for the failed attempt to run out the clock on legislation that would define sanctuary city policies in Florida law.

[29] When a woman who alleged domestic violence was charged with armed burglary and grand theft for entering into her husband's locked apartment and taking his guns to the Lakeland, Florida police in June 2019, Eskamani tweeted that an arrest was "ridiculous" in this kind of situation.

"[30] The State Attorney's Office dropped all charges for both parties who were involved in a highly emotional contested divorce action in order for them to resolve their issues in a family law court.

[36] She also succeeded in securing $80,000 for a Central Florida nonprofit focused on human trafficking prevention called the Lifeboat Project.

[40] Eskamani has tried to raise awareness on the role the Florida Public Service Commission plays in the lives of everyday Floridians.

Eskamani filed legislation to prohibit public dollars from going to any voucher school that discriminate against students or parents for identifying as LGBTQ+.

[49] During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Eskamani suspended her campaign field activities from March until June, focusing on relaying public health information.

[50] Additionally, during the year of 2020 and 2021, Eskamani's legislative office fielded thousands of unemployment claims, earning her national recognition.

[51] The Tampa Bay Times, and other news outlets reported on how her office helped countless claimants navigate the unemployment website established by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

[52] This propelled her campaign forward locally, earning her the endorsement of the Orlando Sentinel,[53] and a nomination from the newspaper's board and readers for her work helping unemployed Floridians.

[55] The measure failed to receive a hearing in the State House, however one aspect of the bill (increasing weekly benefit amounts by $100) passed the Florida Senate unanimously.

[63] She was also effective in stopping new corporate tax giveaways, and secured from than $2 million in the state budget for local funding projects.

On April 21, 2022, Eskamani attempted to stage a sit-in demonstration to prevent a vote on Florida's congressional district maps.

"[67] Later, Eskamani said she opposed the repeal, and congressional redistricting efforts proposed during the special legislative session convened by DeSantis.

[73] Much like the previous legislative session, Eskamani serves as the ranking member of the Florida House's Ways & Means Committee[74] and she was again effective in stopping new corporate tax giveaways, and secured from than $7 million in the state budget for local funding projects.

[86] She currently serves as the chair of both the Orange County Legislative Delegation[87] and the Florida Legislature's Energy and Climate Caucus.

[88] Eskamani also attempted to stop what has been the continuation of tension between Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney World by filing amendments that would protect the public from paying for lawsuits connected to this debate and legislation to expand the scope of policy targeting Walt Disney World to ensure that all companies are truly treated the same.

Eskamani being sworn in as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 2018
Eskamani debates a measure on the House floor in 2019
Rep. Eskamani questions a bill sponsor on the House floor in April 2021
Rep. Eskamani explains a bill on the House floor in February 2022