Stewart Announces Bid for House District 47

Former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart formally announced Wednesday her bid for Florida House District 47.

Stewart made the announcement outside the Church Street Railroad Station in downtown Orlando.  The announcement comes a day after Rep. Scott Randolph said he will not seek re-election. The redrawn District 47 is the seat Randolph would have sought had he decided to run for a final term.

“Tallahassee is broken, and after watching the GOP controlled legislature and Gov. Rick Scott move our state in the wrong direction on every issue that matters to middle class Floridians this last session, I realized that now was the time to step up for the people of Orlando and Orange County,” Stewart said in a statement. “The House lends me the opportunity to work for a community and one that I have served before as a County Commissioner.”

Over the years, Stewart has been a staunch supporter of the environment and a Green Economy.  She has worked tirelessly in support of anti-discrimination policies while on the Board of Orange County Commission; stood against bullying in schools and provided support for the causes of teachers and educators.  She is also a strong advocate for a larger and improved public transportation system.

Stewart, who was initially running for State Senate and would have faced off against Victoria Siplin and Rep. Geraldine Thompson in a Democratic primary said, although she was very happy with the Senate race, District 47 is just a better fit for her on a path to Tallahassee.

Randolph and Rep. Darren Soto have announced their support for Stewart’s campaign for District 47.