Scott Powers
A second Republican, Mikaela Nix, has entered the race for Florida House District 47 in Orlando.
Nix, 35, of Orlando, is a lawyer with her own practice specializing in advocating for fathers and husbands in family law, and she’s been active in Republican politics and public service in Central Florida for several years. She is vice president of the Florida Women’s Political Network, active with the Orlando Republican Women’s Network, and a past member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission.
She filed to run last Friday.
“People approached me about running for public office. After discussing it with my husband and praying about it, we decided in fact I would be that perfect candidate for the job,” she said. “I believe wholeheartedly in fiscally-conservaitve policies. I’m really big on vocational education, small business and entrepreneurship. I’m a working mom, and as a business owner I believe I have the skills, and the passion, and more importantly the background to make a difference in this district.”
She enters a field that includes Republican businessman Stockton Reeves of Winter Park and Democrat Anna Eskamani of Orlando. They’re all seeking to succeed state Rep. Mike Miller of Winter Park, a Republican who is running for Congress.
“I am very excited. I believe I will be a breath of fresh air and diversity in our party,” Nix said.
Before going into law, Nix partnered with University of Central Florida Incubator to start her own company, Collegiate Staffing USA, that helped graduating seniors with job placement. Today she also teaches college success as an adjunct at Valencia Community College and Seminole State College, assists at Orlando Lutheran Towers and Sustainable Collectives, and volunteers with Sunshine State Angel Gowns and as a motivational speaker at the Orange County Juvenile Detention Center.
Nix comes from a family with deep roots in Florida; her family was among the first African Americans to receive land when their former slave-owners freed them and presented them with property. The family has remained rooted around Rochelle, outside of Gainesville, ever since. Nix said she grew up there and in Miami. She got her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando.
