Kelly Hayes
The Florida Medical Association Political Action Committee is endorsing Florida House District 70 candidate Michele Rayner.
The FMA PAC was established in 1974 to elect candidates to state office who advocate for medicine. The organization based its endorsement on Rayner’s civic involvement and her recognition of Florida physicians’ coronavirus response, supporting her as a pro-medicine candidate.
“Michele Rayner has dedicated herself to her community through civic involvement both through professional and volunteer work,” FMA PAC President Doug Murphy said in a news release. “The FMA PAC is pleased to endorse her in House District 70 and appreciates her recognition of the physicians on the front line during the COVID-19 crisis.”
The nod adds to a list of high-profile endorsements, including Ruth’s List Florida, SEIU Florida and Sen. Darryl Rouson, who formerly held the district before being elected to Senate.
“I am honored to have Florida’s physicians support for our campaign. Every day, our doctors are on the frontlines battling COVID-19 and working to ensure Floridians are healthy and safe,” Rayner said in a news release. “I am looking forward to partnering with them in Tallahassee, to ensure that the people of our great state have access to quality healthcare.”
Rayner is the founder and principal attorney at Civil Liberty Law and the current local counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She previously served as an aide to former Sen. Arthenia Joyner and served as an assistant public defender for Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
She is one of four Democrats in the race for HD 70, running to replace Rep. Wengay Newton. Newton is not seeking reelection and instead running for Pinellas County Commission.
The other candidates include Keisha Bell, Michelle Grimsley and Mark Oliver.
The four candidates, all Democrats, will be up for election in the Aug. primary. Florida’s House District 70 includes parts of Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
