Anne Geggis
Three-term incumbent Rep. Patricia Hawkins-Williams sailed to a fourth term Tuesday, besting Democrat Carmen Jones to represent Broward County’s House District 98.
With all of 88 precincts reporting at 8:30 p.m., Hawkins-Williams secured 74% of the vote compared to 26% for Jones.
As no Republican candidate filed to run, Hawkins-Williams will be going to Tallahassee for a fourth term to represent the north-central Broward County district. It covers the area roughly bounded by Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike, from Oakland Park to the Broward-Palm Beach line.
The race had very little spending or fundraising. Williams-Hawkins has raised $5,650 since the beginning of the year and spent $3,772. Her competitor raised $4,516 after filing for the seat in May and spent about $1,252 since then.
Hawkins-Williams earned free media that’s arguably priceless in a Primary likely to have low turnout: the endorsement from the Sun-Sentinel.
The editorial lauded her longtime experience that’s likely to be in short supply in the Democratic House Caucus for the upcoming Session.
“This majority-minority district has pockets of extreme poverty, is overwhelmingly Democratic and it demands an experienced voice in Tallahassee,” her endorsement reads. “That voice belongs to Rep. Patricia Hawkins-Williams.”
Jones, who retired from Boca Raton Regional Hospital as a payroll and billing supervisor after 27 years filling different roles, did not take part in the Sun Sentinel interview. Jones ran for Broward County Commission in 2014 and for Pompano Beach City Commission in 2018 and 2020. She is currently serving on the Housing Authority of Pompano Beach, having been reappointed to the role in 2020.
Hawkins-Williams’ interview with the Sun-Sentinel editorial board provided a sneak peek about what goes on behind the Legislature’s closed doors, suggesting that Republicans feel forced to adhere to a playbook they’d rather not.
“I have friends on both sides of the aisle and secretly, some of the Republican members will have a private conversation with me and say, like, ‘We know that was wrong for that bill to be passed,’” she said.
The low point of last Session, she said, was with the passing of the so-called “anti-woke” legislation, or the Individual Freedom Act (HB 7) that expands the anti-discrimination laws so it’s forbidden to level guilt or blame based on race, gender or national origin. Federal Judge Mark Walker temporarily blocked enforcement of parts of the law Thursday in response to lawsuits against it.
Hawkins-Williams said the legislation is trying to erase her experience.
“My parents fought for me to have the ability to sit at a table with certain people,” Hawkins-Williams said. “Why should I not want my family, my children that’s coming after me to know the struggle?”
Hawkins-Williams also puts better tracking of foster children as one of her chief priorities.
Jones’ website lists seniors, housing and education as her top priorities.
