Erika Booth, Osceola County School Board Member for District 5, has announced that she will run in the special election to fill former Representative Fred Hawkins’ District 35 seat in the Florida House. Hawkins recently resigned after accepting the position of President of South Florida State College.

“I’ve dedicated the last 20 years of my life to educating our children.  Most importantly as a parent and also as a classroom teacher,” Booth said. “As I began my service on the school board, I have realized the issues facing educators, parents and our students cannot simply be solved locally and so, today, I have decided to run for State Representative.”

State Representative Daniel Perez, the Republican from Miami who is up for the House Speaker position recently announced his support, and the support of Republican leadership in Florida for Erika Booth.

“The Florida House Republican Campaign Committee is proud to endorse and fully support Erika Booth for the Special Election in HD 35,” Perez said. “Erika is a proven leader, a dedicated educator, committed to volunteering in her community and has deep roots in Central Florida. I am proud to endorse Erika and have the House Republican Caucus stand behind her.”

Booth won her District 5 School Board seat last year, winning the open seat in the School District of Osceola County with more than 54% of the vote.

As a mother of three, former educator who was named Harmony Community School’s Teacher of the Year in 2014, and current Osceola County school board member, Booth has openly backed Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their work in supporting education throughout the state.

“Governor DeSantis and this Legislature have made great strides in protecting students, giving greater control to parents and placing Florida at the forefront of innovation when it comes to classroom education — but the job is far from over,” Booth said.

Known for being a very active member in the community, Booth has held the role of project manager for Youth Leadership Osceola and Project OPEN as well as having  participated in numerous civic organizations including the Florida Farm Bureau, the Bookmark Buddies Mentor Program, the Silver Spurs Riding Club, and the PEO Philanthropic Organization.

Erika Booth is married to Ricky Booth, current Osceola County Commissioner for District 5.

Photo Source: Osceola School District