Scott Powers
Democrat Tracey Kagan of Longwood announced her entry Wednesday into the race for Florida’s House District 29, seeking to take on Republican state Rep. Scott Plakon in the central Seminole County district.
Kagan, a lawyer with her own criminal defense law practice in Orlando, joins a race with Democrats Patrick Brandt of Longwood and Darryl Block of Lake Mary, both of whom also are lawyers. Plakon owns a publishing company.
“I was galvanized by the Parkland shooting to get off the sidelines and take action to protect our children,” Kagan stated in a news release issued by her campaign Wednesday. “With three daughters of my own, all of whom have come up through Seminole County schools, I can no longer stand by passively amid the public safety crisis of gun violence.”
Kagan’s campaign reported she is running on a progressive platform that supports public education, health care access, the economy, and natural resources, in addition to gun law reform.
The campaign also notes her entry in a year that is drawing numerous women Democratic candidates aiming to challenge Republican incumbents — and one that’s expected to see a ‘blue wave’. Her campaign website features the slogan, “Ride the wave.”
“Like so many of moms across the country, I believe the time is right to join the fight to protect our children,” Kagan stated. “I also believe that mothers have been vastly underrepresented in our Florida legislature for far too long. I’m grateful that’s finally starting to change — and I’m proud to be part of that change.”
In a legal career that began as a public defender in New York City, Kagan moved to Seminole County to work in the Seminole County State Attorney’s office, and has been a criminal defense attorney for 20 years. The experience, her campaign contends, gives her an understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement, social workers, mental health professionals and all those who are working to improve our community.
Kagan is on the board of the Jewish Pavilion, a support service for seniors in the Longwood/Central Florida area. She also serves on the Leadership Committee of SPARK, an organization that fosters education and empowerment among Orlando Jewish women.
