This diverse slate of incumbents and challengers have what it takes to win in November
Tallahassee, Fla. – Following the toughest legislative session in recent history where Republicans stripped Floridians of their rights and freedoms and failed to address real issues like the growing affordability crisis, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book announces Senate Victory’s slate of 2022 “frontline” candidates in five key races across the state:
“This strong, diverse, and dedicated group of community leaders represent our best shot at rebalancing the scales of the Florida Senate so Democrats are finally able to check the almost absolute power of Ron DeSantis,” says Leader Book, who has hit record fundraising marks to help power these races to victory. “Following the onslaught of extremist GOP-backed laws that limit Floridians’ rights and freedoms, our work to defend our Senate Democratic Caucus and grow our numbers has never been more critical. Loranne, Janet, Joy, Mike, and Janelle are out there fighting for their communities every day, running campaigns focused on things that matter most to everyday Floridians, like the freedom to earn a fair living, access to affordable healthcare, a clean environment, and strong public schools.”
Learn more about these five “frontline” candidates who have what it takes to win in November:
Senator Loranne Ausley – SD 3, Northwest Florida
Loranne Ausley has spent her career in public service advocating for children, the disabled and public employees. As an independent-minded, no-nonsense leader respected on both sides of the aisle, Loranne has always focused on finding common ground to help hardworking families here in North Florida. Since her election to the Florida Senate, she has gone to work on expanding access to broadband and child care.
Senator Janet Cruz – SD 14, Hillsborough
Janet Cruz works every day fighting for the people of Hillsborough — fighting for tax cuts for hard working families, help for local small businesses, and good paying jobs. In her decades of service to Hillsborough, Janet has always stood with our teachers and students, fought to protect the land and water that make Florida so special, and defended the freedoms and rights of everyday people.
Representative Joy Goff-Marcil – SD 10, Seminole & Orange
An attorney and longtime resident of Maitland, Joy Goff-Marcil currently represents District 30 in the Florida House of Representatives. Joy got her start in public service after being elected to the Maitland City Council, where she earned the respect of her fellow council members who selected her as vice mayor. Joy has fought for Central Floridians’ local priorities and gotten results – standing up for health care, public schools, and the environment. Now, she’s running to represent her neighbors in the Florida Senate – to defend home rule and fight for Democratic values in Tallahassee.
Representative Michael Grieco – SD 36, Miami-Dade
State Representative Michael Grieco is a father, former prosecutor, and public servant, running to represent Miami-Dade’s 36th district in the Florida Senate. An effective and dedicated state representative, and a local elected official before that, Mike has already notched big wins for Miami-Dade families, public schools and our beaches and coasts. In the Senate, Mike will always put us first – and deliver for Miami.
Entrepreneur Janelle Perez – SD 38, Miami-Dade
The daughter of Cuban exiles, Janelle Perez is a wife and mother at the forefront of the fight for equality. A cancer survivor and healthcare executive, she understands that we need to expand high-quality, affordable healthcare so no family goes bankrupt getting the care they need. Born and raised in Miami, and a graduate of Florida International University and The Johns Hopkins University, Janelle saw her parents become successful entrepreneurs after fleeing Castro’s dictatorship. Now, she’s running for State Senate to stand up for our values: freedom, equality, and opportunity.