Susan Valdes to launch reelection campaign next week
COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

FLAPOL101519CH052
Valdes is seeking her second term in the House.

Rep. Susan Valdes is hosting her campaign kickoff reception next Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Maikel’s Kitchen #3 from 6-7:30 p.m.

The restaurant is located at 4031 West Hillsborough Ave in Tampa.

Valdes assembled an all-star host committee for the event including current and former elected officials at the local and state level.

The list includes every single member of Tampa City Council — Bill Carlson, Joe Citro, Luis Viera, John Dingfelder, Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Orlando Gudes — as well as former City Council members Mike Suarez and Harry Cohen. Cohen is now running for Hillsborough County Commission.

Valdes is also receiving support from Tampa Bay area Senators Janet Cruz and Darryl Rouson as well as Reps. Fentrice Driskell, Dianne Hart, Adam Hattersley, and Wengay Newton.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, a Republican, is also on Valdes’ host committee.

The list also includes Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez and Public Defender Julianne Holt as well as Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, Hillsborough County School Board member Cindy Stuart and former Hillsborough County School Board member and candidate for Tax Collector April Griffin, among others.

Valdes currently represents House District 62, which includes parts of north and west Hillsborough County from Citrus Park south to the Westshore area and east to about Rome Avenue.

Valdes was first elected to the House last year. This is her first reelection campaign. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Valdes was an elected member of the Hillsborough County School Board where she served from 2004 until resigning on Election Day in 2018. Valdes was best known for her high-profile fight to oust former Hillsborough County Schools Superintendant MaryEllen Elia.

Since December, Valdes has raised $26,000. She is so far running unopposed. Valdes came out 5 points on top in a three-way primary last year after a contentious election cycle that portrayed Valdes as an ally for charter schools. Cruz, one of Valdes’ hosts for her campaign kickoff, withdrew her endorsement in 2018 after a pro-charter school group sent out fliers supporting Valdes.

Since then Valdes has continued to show support for charters, breaking from her party this year as the only House Democrat to vote in favor of expanding the Schools of Hope program critics said would lead to a flood of new charter schools.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


One comment

  • Jill S

    October 22, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    We are certainly watching if she keeps her word on reforming prisons and stopping the abuse in prisons . But actually doing rehab. Letting those out for non violent crimes and putting them to work . Fla prisons are the worst . No over sight , Using lock down instead of having enough staff . Human trafficking.

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories