Ryan Nicol
Three new Democratic candidates have filed to run in 2022 House contests in three different districts across South Florida.
Rick King has filed to run for the open contest in House District 88. King is a former lieutenant at the West Palm Beach Police Department, where he spent nearly 20 years. After his active law enforcement career, he spent six years as the attorney for the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. King now operates his own law firm, R.E. King III, P.A.
Paulette Armstead, a former candidate for Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections, and Jervonte Edmonds, founder of the mentoring program Suits For Seniors, are also running for the HD 88 seat in 2022. All declared candidates so far are Democrats.
First-term Democratic Rep. Omari Hardy is pursuing a run for the Special Election in Florida’s 20th Congressional District to replace the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings. HD 88 is a Democratic stronghold and spans parts of Palm Beach County including Lake Park, Riviera Beach and Mangonia Park.
In House District 99, Barry Faske of Hollywood filed Tuesday to run as a Democrat. His entry also makes that race a three-person contest.
Faske has worked with the Florida Green Building Coalition, serving as the group’s president from 2018-2020. He now serves on the group’s board of directors. He has also served on the board of directors of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Hillary Cassel, a lawyer, and Jeremy Katzman, an administrator at Nova Southeastern University’s Health Professions Division, are also running as Democrats in the district. House Democratic Co-Leader Evan Jenne, who currently holds the seat, is facing term limits in 2022.
HD 99 runs through portions of Broward County including Southwest Ranches, Cooper City, Dania Beach and Davie.
In House District 107, first-term Democratic Rep. Christopher Benjamin will face a Primary challenge from Wancito Francius. Francius is a businessman who recently competed for the District 3 seat on the North Miami Commission. He placed third in a four-person contest in May.
HD 107 covers parts of Miami-Dade County including Miami Gardens and Golden Glades.
