Rep. Driskell Becomes First Black Woman To Lead Florida Democrats

Tampa State Rep. Fentrice Driskell has made historical past as the primary Black girl elected to guide Florida’s Home Democrats.

Driskell, who received Tampa’s District 63 in 2018, will lead state Democrats from 2024-2026, which means she must be reelected subsequent 12 months. The Georgetown and Harvard graduate mentioned she is honored to guide state Democrats and it reveals the nation is starting to pay extra consideration to what Black girls can do.

“I’m simply so glad to get to be part of that narrative and be part of that story. And to have this opportunity to work for a brighter future for all Floridians,” Driskell mentioned in keeping with WMNF. “And actually simply leverage this platform to proceed breaking down obstacles and hopefully encourage extra younger folks to wish to run for workplace, and ladies of shade to do it. In the event that they see me doing it, hopefully, they’ll suppose that they will do it too.”

Driskell was one of the vital outspoken opponents to Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ anti-protest invoice HB 1 and labored with Republican lawmakers on police reforms payments together with HB 7051.

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Driskell is presently serving because the  Home Democratic Caucus Coverage Chair for the 2023-22 time period and her appointment is one other signal of Black girls successful in 2023. Earlier this week Karine Jean-Pierre grew to become the primary Black girl to guide a White Home presser in 30 years. Moreover, there are a report 117 Black girls serving in Congress this 12 months.

Home Democrats additionally voted Rep. Ramon Alexander to guide the Caucus within the absence of Rep. Ben Diamond who’s making a run at a congressional seat. Alexander, a Florida A&M College graduate is the primary Tallahassee-area Consultant to serve in a management function since 1978 in keeping with Florida Politics.

Florida was one of the vital affected by the coronavirus as its journey, bar and restaurant, cruise and lodge and hospitality industries have been all hit with huge layoffs. That led to points in signing up for unemployment advantages as former Gov. Rick Scott designed the state’s unemployment system to fail, in keeping with Florida’s present governor.