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The youngest Florida House Democratic candidate to qualify in Broward County — and the only Latina — is mobilizing all her voters in the open Primary of Florida House District 98. 

OAKLAND PARK, FL — Emily Rodrigues, the only woman to qualify as a candidate in her race for State House, is putting the spotlight on her District.

“Our campaign meets voters where they’re at, and voting rights is a concern we increasingly hear from the doorsteps of our District residents,” Emily says, going on to explain: “Broward Democrats are fighting to save the vote. Long-time voters in my cities are struggling to keep up with our state’s continually shifting election code. Thankfully, there’s reason to hope: From the Democratic Party at the county-level, down to the activated citizen making the time to volunteer, my community is making sure our voices are heard this August. We are helping re-register seniors for vote-by-mail, supporting new registrants to update their info, and equipping Floridians with resources about the voting rights that we have fought to achieve and protect.”

Broward County is a Democratic stronghold and home to the party’s House Leader-Elect, Representative Christine Hunschofsky, both contributing factors to Democrats qualifying in all 120 House races across the state. The significance is not lost on the current 26-year Republican trifecta government as attacks are launched on the county’s significantly Democratic population. Bad-faith charges of voter fraud, the constraining of voter registration efforts, and mass deletions of once-active voter files have disenfranchised hundreds of thousands in Broward, reduced new registrations by nearly half, and complicated the process for requesting vote-by-mail ballots. (Man, SunSentinel, 01/24; Bousquet, SunSentinel, 06/24; NPR, 05/24; Ramos, Local10, 05/24).

The election of the next State Representative for Florida House District 98 is open to all voters. Emily is creating an informed electorate for the Primary, encouraging a vote plan for everyone.   Despite being the only pro-choice Democratic woman in her race, Emily Rodrigues’ confidence in her roots of Oakland Park and Pompano Beach, her personal local network, and her over three decades of family history in the area, position her to be a State Representative for all in the District. Three other candidates in the race, none of whom raised in the North-Central Broward community where they are currently seeking office, will also appear on the ballot. 

House District 98 now has the chance to nominate Emily Rodrigues as their new State Representative as Representative Patricia Williams completes her term. Direct and relevant experience in the Florida Legislature motivates voters to support Emily and her ability to begin working for the people on Day One of the job. Through the Office of State Senator Shevrin Jones, she developed a deep understanding of Florida’s legislative processes and constituent services, making Emily well-prepared to address the diverse needs of her community. Emily has a proven track record of securing appropriation funds for infrastructure, programs, and resources, and navigating the divisive, far-right distractions to bring positive attention, support, and respect back to her home. Her fresh energy and perspective throughout the campaign highlight her as a young, powerful force that is ready to apply that same approach to her time in office. A product of Broward’s human geography and formally trained to work in historically Black spaces through the Central Florida Urban League, Emily embodies the cultural competencies necessary to serve the community and represent her generation authentically. 

Emily’s commitment to delivering results begins by bringing her community back to the polls. As vote-by-mail ballots begin delivering in July, voters are reminded to re-register and receive their ballot by August. Early voting in Broward County begins Saturday, August 10th and remains open until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18th. Vote by Election Day on August 20th at your polling location or by turning in your vote-by-mail ballot to the Supervisor of Elections. 

“District 98 is on the map, and the state is looking at how we’ll decide our future this August. Reproductive freedoms, civil rights and affordability are at the top of voters' minds, and I’m reassured by their readiness for a new voice of progress.  Our campaign will continue to lead in outreach and communicate in new ways as we capture our District’s resilience for all to see.”

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