When incumbent State Representative Arthenia Joyner opted to run for the Florida Senate rather than seek re-election, Reed ran to succeed her in the 59th District, which stretched from University to Gibsonton and included much of Tampa in Hillsborough County.

Reed campaigned on educational reforms, including closing the achievement gap in students of different races, smaller classrooms, and providing new teachers with mentors.

[1] Owing to the district's strong partisan lean, Reed defeated Bowick in a landslide, winning 84% of the vote.

She was opposed in the Democratic primary by Tatiana Denson, who advocated for "generational change" in the election.

[2] Ultimately, Reed easily turned away Denson's challenge, winning the renomination of her party with 81% of the vote.