Tom Keen has refiled for the new District 35 in the Florida House of Representatives. The campaign filing by Keen, who served for 21 years as a Naval Flight Officer, updates his earlier filing in the 2022 race, to represent large areas of both Orange and Osceola counties. Redistricting is required by the state constitution every ten years following the national census. The new maps reflect the growth in Florida’s population.
“I’m running to fund our public schools, protect our environment, and help Florida make brighter choices for our future,” Keen said in his message.
He highlighted his commitment to meeting Florida’s most urgent needs, like providing more affordable housing options and raising incomes in the state.
“Our new district, from Orlando and east Orange County south into Osceola County, is growing rapidly,” Keen said. “As our next State Representative, I’ll be a voice to ensure housing units and wages keep up with population growth, especially while we protect our natural areas and coastlines.”
Keen found success as a principal account manager for a national aerospace firm after his military career, which included flight missions in the Lockheed S-3 Viking. Since then, Keen has been an active volunteer in Democratic political organizations, multiple Veteran service groups and councils, and as a member of the City of Orlando’s Citizens’ Police Review Board.
Keen is a supporter of the voter-passed incremental increase in Florida’s minimum wage, which nearly 61% of voters approved statewide. Keen also endorses economic initiatives that leverage the State’s solar power opportunities.
Keen launched his campaign website last December, emphasizing issues like keeping children safe in school and allowing local governments to take their own safety precautions. On that issue, the Democratic candidate is taking on one of the Republican candidates in the race directly. “Fred Hawkins and Republicans in the Florida House voted to take 16.5 million dollars from the Orange County Public Schools,” Keen said. “Make no mistake – regardless of your politics, this is another step in taking away local control of our public schools.”
Keen is qualifying by collecting petitions for the 2022 elections cycle, a grassroots volunteer effort that lets him connect with voters individually. Keen calls his wife Laura his biggest supporter, and they often walk neighborhoods together.
“I am a voice for residents who care about quality of life,” he said. “I will be a reliable vote to protect our coastlines and grow Florida’s economy for all families.”
“The U.S Navy taught me three Core Values that I live by today; Honor. Courage. Commitment,” Keen added. “These values are needed to create lasting change in Florida. We can solve our challenges by electing leaders who care about our State’s people, economy, and natural environment.”
