ORLANDO, Fla. – Democrat and Orlando activist Anna Eskamani announced this week that she is running for Florida House Seat 47 in 2018.
House District 47 includes eastern Orlando, Belle Isle and Winter Park. If elected, Eskamani will fill Republican state Rep. Mike Miller's seat. Miller said he plans to run for Congress in 2018.
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Pulse nightclub is also within the district. Eskamani said she is committed to honoring the lives of the 49 victims killed there June 12, 2016 through legislative action on gun safety and equality.
Eskamani is currently the senior director of public affairs and communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She said she has been planning her run for office since last year.
Known for her activism around Central Florida, Eskamani was one of the speakers at the Women’s Rally at Lake Eola in January.
“As a community organizer, I have a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values that impact us all,” Eskamani said.
The Orlando native graduated from the University of Central Florida with all three of her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Eskamani is pursuing her PhD in Public Affairs at UCF while serving as an adjunct professor teaching a women’s studies course.
According to her campaign page, Eskamani is zealous about women’s health and equality.
The 27-year-old is the daughter of Iranian parents and would be the first Iranian-American elected to Florida legislature if she wins in 2018.