Lauren Frances Book (born October 12, 1984) is an American politician and former educator who served in the Florida Senate from 2016 to 2024, representing parts of Broward County.
[15] In the 2017 session, Book filed a bill that would remove Confederate Memorial Day, celebrated on April 26, 2017, from Florida's list of 21 legal holidays.
[16] Book told CBS4, "during a time when the country is completely divided, I think we look at celebrating our unique coming together instead of some of the things that kind of create hate and divisive environments.
"[17] On July 22, 2019, Book wrote Florida governor Ron DeSantis a letter requesting a probe into how the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office handled a work release program for Jeffrey Epstein.
The Miami Herald reported that Book also received multiple anonymous calls and texts with more ominous demands to halt her request for a probe.
[20] A week later, on April 28, 2021, the Democratic caucus chose Book to serve immediately as minority leader, following a no-confidence vote in then-leader Gary Farmer.
[23] On April 3, 2023, Book was arrested alongside Nikki Fried, the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, following a protest of an anti-abortion bill being considered by state lawmakers.