Erika Booth defeated incumbent Rep. Tom Keen
Erika Booth took a second run at Tom Keen expecting a different outcome, and she got it. Now an incumbent, Keen beat Booth in a special election in January to represent HD 35, which spans parts of Orange and Osceola counties.
With a presidential race and highly-publicized abortion and marijuana amendments driving turnout, Booth received 52.4% of votes with more than 95% of precincts reporting. Keen had won the special election 51.3%-48.7%.
Booth, a Republican, resigned from the Osceola County School Board to run for this position. She lives in St. Cloud and received an endorsement from Gov. Ron DeSantis in the August primary, where she received 63% of the vote.
She has taught more than 20 years in the Osceola County School District.
Booth made limited media appearances in her run and did not respond to requests from the Phoenix to hear her stances on issues.
She did tell WKMG in Orlando her stance on improving the insurance market in Florida.
“First we must bring insurance company CEOs to Tallahassee and have them testify under oath as to why there has not yet been rate relief,” Booth told WKMG. “Second we must form a statewide investigative unit to find corruption, fraud, and profiteering and charge individuals involved.”
Booth’s campaign Facebook account advocated for rural lands, the environment, and transportation and property insurance solutions.
“I’m extremely proud of everything we’ve accomplished and deeply honored to have represented this community in the Florida State House,” Keen said in a social media post conceding defeat.