RaShon Young becomes first candidate to file for HD 40 Special Election

Legislative aide RaShon Young hopes to succeed his former boss, Democratic state Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, in representing House District 40.

“This campaign is not the beginning of my service— it’s a continuation of it,” Young said. “I’ve had the privilege of working at the intersection of policy and people, and I’m proud to step forward with the full support of my mentor, Representative Bracy Davis. I live in, work in, and fight for House District 40 every day. I have my finger on the pulse of the possible for our community, and I’m ready to lead with boldness and purpose.”

The Orlando Democrat just became the first candidate to file in a Special Election to replace Bracy Davis in the House. Bracy Davis resigned her seat, effective Sept. 1, in order to run in the Special Election to fill the late state Sen. Geraldine Thompson’s Senate District 15 seat.

Young served as Bracy Davis’ chief legislative aide in Tallahassee, a job he has held for more than two years, according to his LinkedIn page. He resigned in order to run, and will have Bracy Davis’ endorsement.

“”RaShon’s filing is not a surprise–it’s part of the plan,” Bracy Davis said. “This is what building a bench looks like. RaShon has been in the trenches with me from day one. He knows the district, he knows the
issues, and he knows the people. I wholeheartedly and proudly endorse him to be my successor.
Our community will be in excellent hands.”

Before working in the Legislature, Young served on Bracy Davis’ 2022 campaign, when she won a Democratic Primary over Melissa Myers with nearly 64% of the vote. Bracy Davis then defeated Republican Nate Robertson in the General Election with 65% support.

Notably, Young also worked as a strategist on former state Sen. Randolph Bracy’s congressional campaign the same year. Bracy lost to now-U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost in a Democratic Primary. This year, Bracy has also filed for Thompson’s seat, running against his sister.

Before working in politics, Young also worked at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as the community programming manager. He has been active with the African Methodist Episcopal Church both in Florida and before that, when he lived in South Carolina.

Young earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Bethune-Cookman University in 2021.

The Special Election in HD 40 will take place concurrently with the SD 15 vote. A Primary has been scheduled for June 24, with a Special General Election set for Sept. 2.

HD 40 leans heavily Democratic. Bracy Davis in November beat Republican Belinda Ford with greater than 67% of the vote. Meanwhile, just under 67% of voters in the district supported Democrat Kamala Harris for President, and under 32% voted for Republican Donald Trump.

The qualification period for the Special Election runs from Monday until noon on Wednesday.