Emily Rodrigues for State House

Emily Rodrigues, Democrat for Florida State House District 98

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"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish"— Michelle Obama

<h2>Meet Emily</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/1a4e460e-4d01-4e62-837b-75ef484fe5c9/19d25ae8-b2b8-4582-8425-b3173c0d102b/19d25ae8-b2b8-4582-8425-b3173c0d102b.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3414%2C3630&amp;w=1500" alt="" title="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="37" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h4>With a lifelong dream to represent her District, Emily brings direct experience working with the Florida Legislature.</h4>Born and raised in Oakland Park, Emily has called District 98 her home for her entire life. Her passion for advocacy was sparked during her early college years after being sexually assaulted on campus. Through her experiences as a survivor, she has become a dedicated advocate for victims rights who is committed to creating policies that make our state safer for everyone.Emily graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Political Communication at the University of Florida. Her education has provided her with a deep understanding of policy issues and how to use communication strategies to empower communities and facilitate meaningful change.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/1a4e460e-4d01-4e62-837b-75ef484fe5c9/c32eb6fa-b2fd-4a41-bc7f-396122ec0b37/b8bc5125-7bb1-4464-89ee-64b85c0bb715.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3608&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of Emily and friends at a protest for reproductive rights in Broward County, Florida" title="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Emily’s experience working in the Florida Senate and nonprofit sector has equipped her with the skills needed to be a powerful voice in Tallahassee and pass real policy solutions that improve quality of life for all Floridians. While working in the Florida Senate under State Senator Shevrin Jones, she assisted in the passage of several bills and procurement of millions of dollars in state funding, helped resolve hundreds of constituents’ issues, and planned events for community engagement, such as food drives and civic education workshops. With her firsthand experience working in state government, Emily has what it takes to get the job done in a Republican-led Legislature.In her current role at MissionWired, Emily oversees digital strategy for a number of mission-driven nonprofit and political clients, where she has helped Democrats achieve record-breaking fundraising goals. Throughout college, Emily worked at the Central Florida Urban League where she helped connect underserved communities with critical resources to improve economic stability and gained a unique perspective in how nonprofits can work alongside government entities to achieve their missions.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/1a4e460e-4d01-4e62-837b-75ef484fe5c9/9726cd9d-b3b9-48e9-950d-5efef9276922/2d51050f-6293-4fa3-b976-303fd7c3c8bb.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=354%2C0%2C3611%2C3072&amp;w=1500" alt="Photo of Emily speaking at One Billion Rising at the University of Central Florida" title="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed">As a survivor, Emily has publicly shared her story to help raise awareness on the issue of sexual assault on college campuses and empower others who have been victims of sexual violence. Her podcast where she shares her experiences as a survivor has been used by UCF Victim Services as a resource to other victims. Additionally, she was invited to serve as the keynote speaker for One Billion Rising at the University of Central Florida (UCF), an annual mass call-to-action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. During her time as a student, Emily was a founding member of the Copper Knights, a public advocacy-focused student organization at UCF dedicated to making an impact at the state level to protect and aid survivors and reduce the stigma that victims of sex crimes encounter.Now, she hopes to continue her advocacy for survivors in the Florida Legislature, where she hopes to pass Emily’s Plan – a package of policy proposals that can be achieved at the state level to help improve conditions for survivors of sexual violence. In addition to fighting for victims’ rights, Emily is committed to restoring our reproductive rights, addressing the property insurance crisis, protecting public education, and creating more affordable housing options for Florida’s hardworking families.

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Emily’s Top Priorities

Personal health care decisions should be between a woman and her doctor — not politicians. As a pro-choice woman, Emily understands the urgent need to restore reproductive rights for all Floridians so that we can decide what is best for our own bodies.

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Reproductive Freedom

Floridians are suffering from skyrocketing insurance premiums — and lawmakers are not doing enough to stop it. Instead of fighting for Floridians, Republicans have made it harder for you to make claims and used your taxpayer dollars to alleviate financial stress on insurance companies. Emily is committed to fighting for real solutions that reduce costs for our families.

Property Insurance

Every student in Florida deserves a quality education. That's why it's essential that we fully fund our public schools, increase teacher pay, and support programs that increase access to higher education opportunities for our students. Emily is committed to fighting for our public schools in Tallahassee so that every student is provided the tools they need to succeed.

Protect Public Education

As a survivor herself, Emily knows there are many barriers preventing survivors of sexual violence from getting the justice and healing they deserve. Emily's Plan is a comprehensive policy package aimed to support survivors by extending statutes of limitations for sex crimes, reducing the backlog for rape kit testing, and providing critical resources to survivors in every part of the state.

Emily’s Plan

Floridians desperately need solutions to combat the rising costs of living. As rent and property insurance prices skyrocket while wages remain stagnant, Emily will fight to create more affordable housing options for Florida's hardworking families.

Affordable Housing

Too many of our communities have been plagued by gun violence — enough is enough. Instead of making our communities safer, Republicans passed a permitless carry law, which eliminated background check and safety training requirements. Emily will fight for commonsense gun violence prevention measures, such as universal background checks, assault weapon bans, and community intervention programs.

Gun Violence Prevention

Our criminal justice system should treat all Floridians equally. In Florida, when Black people make up only 16% of our state's population but 46% of our incarcerated population, it's clear that reform is needed. We must support policies that ensure fair treatment of all people, remove barriers to reentry, and increase government transparency and accountability.

Criminal Justice Reform

Floridians deserve access to quality healthcare. Despite Florida having one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, lawmakers have failed to close the coverage gap. Additionally, maternal health outcomes continue to worsen in our state, which disparately impacts Black mothers. Emily wants to expand Medicaid coverage so working families and mothers can have access to the care they need.

Healthcare Access

Every Floridian has a right to clean air and drinking water, and it’s imperative that we protect our lands, waterways, and beaches for generations to come. Emily will champion policies that promote sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and renewable energy solutions to help ensure a brighter future for Broward, where both our environment and our economy thrive hand in hand.

Protect Our Environment

Our treatment of animals reflects our values. By enacting laws that ensure humane treatment, strengthen anti-cruelty measures, promote adoption, and crack down on illegal breeding and exploitation, Emily believes Florida can be a place where compassion extends to all living beings.

Animal Welfare

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Campaign Events

Every grassroots donation makes a difference!

Your dedicated time can make all the difference in sending Emily to Tallahassee. Our campaign will be organizing door-to-door canvasses and community events to engage voters in the upcoming months, and we're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us. If you are interesting in getting involved, sign up using this form.You can also visit our Mobilize to see <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mobilize.us/emilyforflorida/">upcoming volunteer opportunities</a> near you!

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Leading national and statewide Democratic organizations are standing together to support Emily as the next State Representative for Florida House District 98.

Emily Rodrigues

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Campaign Updates

"Growing up in Broward County, I've seen Governor DeSantis and his extremist allies attack our community leaders, public education system, and our futures. Instead of addressing Florida's worsening affordability crises, they have taken away our reproductive freedoms, made it easier for bad actors to buy guns, and prioritized special interests over everyday Floridians. It's clear that Tallahassee has forgotten about us, but I'm dedicated to ensuring our voices are heard. I hope you'll join us in the fight for a future that empowers all Floridians."

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<h2>The Primary Election is on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024.</h2>House District 98 covers portions of Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Oakland Park, and Lauderdale Lakes. You can enter your address <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative">here</a> to confirm if you live in our District.<h5>Important Dates:</h5><ul><li>Deadline to register to vote: July 22, 2024</li><li>Deadline to request vote by mail ballot: August 8, 2024</li><li>Early voting period: August 10 – 18, 2024</li><li>Primary Election Day: August 20, 2024</li></ul>For more information, please visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.browardvotes.gov/">browardvotes.gov</a>.

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Latest Updates

Standing on her experience as a survivor and career work in public service, the first-time candidate earns nearly $12,500 and leads her team knocking over 1,500 doors in Q1.OAKLAND PARK, FL — Emily Rodrigues establishes the strength of her candidacy for State Representative with greater fundraising, voter contact, and raised cash-on-hand than all five of the remaining candidates in her race. “Our campaign is resonating, and I’m proud of the support that I’ve earned from every voter, donor, and volunteer with the confidence in our operation and my leadership,” says Emily, as she tallies over 100 donations, averaging $108 per donation with 3 maxed-out contributions. “My history of working in strategy for nonprofit, private and political clients equip me to run a personal and lean campaign that lets my character and work ethic shine, that sharpens the efficiency of our ground-game, and that prioritizes the needs of my District – from reducing gun violence in our local communities, to undoing DeSantis’ abortion ban that ensnares women statewide. And for all families and everyday workers, the fight to improve affordability is one I continue to have with my work as a nonprofit leader in the district and as a previous aide in the state legislature. Connecting face-to-face with our neighborhood leaders and concerned residents is how we build the trust and respect of the electorate to win in August.”Showing up for the District and at voters’ doorsteps, Emily has made winning over local, grassroots support central to her campaign. In her first quarter, Emily’s visibility in the community brought fresh eyes to her race as she participated in events for reproductive health, LGBTQ+ rights, and public safety; the latter of which has been the continual focus for faith and neighborhood leaders who are bringing attention to the unfolding gun violence in Pompano Beach, the largest city in District 98 and home to the historically Black “Old Town” neighborhoods of the past 50 years. Conversations with over 1,000 voters captured from routine door-to-door canvassing reveal an additional gap between Tallahassee and everyday Floridians: Rising property insurance and costs of living, the whittling of public education funds, and the shrinking of abortion access and family planning all remain deeply unpopular GOP-backed policies. Emily’s mission to run as a Legislator is summed up in a public post where she promises “to ensure that our communities and families… will have their voices amplified in Tallahassee.”Raising $12,428 and leading her crowded field in total cycle raised, Emily Rodrigues demonstrates her ability to cultivate support and position herself to be a powerful, local voice for constituents. Nearly 40% of Emily’s contributions come from donors living in House District 98 cities, and her cash-on-hand reserve stacks up to be over $9,000; tapping into a deep, personal network to create new first-time contributors and growing her support of establishment Democratic donors, Emily Rodrigues is creating a broad coalition to prepare for her August 20th Primary. The fundraising and organizational advantage aim to activate the Democratic base, first-time voters and cross-party supporters in a race where Emily winning as the only woman candidate will protect the number of Democratic women lawmakers in Florida.“We are set up for success. I’m confident and proud to be the candidate that is the hardest working and most knowledgeable of the process, and I’ll be ready on Day 1 to work across the aisle to support good bills. My life has prepared me to advocate for the survivors and victim rights central to my campaign – but my District needs more: Property insurance and the affordability crisis are draining Floridians, and GOP extremists are robbing us of academic freedom and funding in our public education. We are tired and ready for solutions, and I’m determined to get us there: From surviving to thriving.”Learn more about Emily and her campaign for FL-HD 98 at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://EmilyForFlorida.com">EmilyForFlorida.com</a>. ###

Standing on her experience as a survivor and career work in public service, the first-time candidate earns nearly $12,500 and leads her team knocking over 1,500 doors in Q1.

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Emily Rodrigues Outraises and Out-knocks All Other Candidates in Her Bid for FL House District 98

The only woman candidate in the race to succeed the terming out Representative Patricia Williams (D-Pompano Beach) joins five other Democrats for a crowded August Primary in 2024FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Emily Rodrigues, an FL-HD 98 native, files her candidacy to be the next Democratic State House Representative from Broward County.“Love for my district, and all our people, businesses, and places living here, is what brings me to today: My name is Emily Rodrigues, and I am running to be the next State Representative from Florida House District 98 encompassing Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and my hometown of Oakland Park,” she begins. “I’m ready to bring my years of direct experience working in the Senate to be my community’s advocate in Tallahassee and be the strong, proud Democratic voice needed for our time.”On the cusp of Florida abortion right advocates securing a victory fueled by a woman’s right to choose, Rodrigues, 25, establishes herself as a fierce pro-choice defender in a state where a 6-week abortion ban passes through a DeSantis-led, Republican supermajority with ease. As Broward suffers through the five highest coverage premiums of any Florida county and their public teachers and leaders are attacked by the state, the affordability crisis in property insurance and housing, along with refunding and protecting public schools, are included in the candidate’s top priorities for this year. A fourth pillar is more personal: Emily’s Plan.Emily’s Plan is a series of survivor-centered policies designed to help Florida be more free and safer for all. Borne from Emily’s own survivor journey when she was assaulted in college and her experience navigating the victim process, Emily’s Plan seeks to extend/eliminate statutes of limitations on sex crimes, address systemic backlog of state cases, and provide more institutional support to victims of all crimes in Florida. When 1 in 3 women experience some form of assault in their lifetime, Emily believes changes to the system are overdue and her work in this space provides a framework for survivors to rise up. She has publicly shared her story as a keynote speaker and in her podcast to help raise awareness on the issue of sexual assault on college campuses, the latter of which has been used by UCF Victim Services as a resource for other victims. Emily’s Plan reflects the care and stewardship integral to her character cultivated in a dedicated career of government, nonprofits, and public service.Graduating from the University of Central Florida and now pursuing a Master’s Degree at the University of Florida, Emily contributed her abilities to the Office of Senator Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) while employed in the Florida Senate before moving to work in Democratic and nonprofit fundraising. In her time at the Florida Senate, she assisted in the passage of several bills and procurement of millions of dollars in state funding, helped resolve hundreds of constituents’ issues, and planned events for community engagement, such as food drives and civic education workshops. Currently, Emily oversees digital strategy for a number of mission-driven nonprofit and political clients. Throughout college, Emily worked at the Central Florida Urban League where she helped connect underserved communities with critical resources to improve economic stability and gained a unique perspective in how nonprofits can work alongside government entities to achieve their missions. With firsthand, accumulated experience in Florida politics and community-focused work, Emily Rodrigues boasts the acumen, drive and skillset to achieve solutions for House District 98:“Fighting for everyday Floridians who make our state great is my proudest moment. From serving as a Senate Page in high school, to interning in the Florida House and working in the Florida Senate, I have spent my entire life around the legislature. Making a difference in people’s lives through policy solutions has always been a passion of mine, and representing my district in Tallahassee has been a lifelong dream.”Learn more about Emily and her campaign for FL-HD 98 at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://emilyforflorida.com">EmilyForFlorida.com</a>.###

The only woman candidate in the race to succeed the terming out Representative Patricia Williams (D-Pompano Beach) joins five other Democrats for a crowded August Primary in 2024.