Rep. Yvonne Hinson (D-Gainesville) will not seek reelection to the House District 21 in 2026, citing her age and inclination to spend time with her family as reasons for her departure.
"With a heart full of gratitude, I share with you today that I will not seek reelection for another term," Hinson said.
Rep. Hinson has served HD 21 since 2020. Her district includes parts of Alachua and Marion counties in north-central Florida.
"At nearly 78 years young, I have devoted my entire adult life to serving our community, our state and our people," Hinson continued. "Now, I feel it is time to step back, to savor the fruits of my labor, and to spend more time with family and loved ones."
A longtime staple of the area, Hinson was a commissioner for the City of Gainesville from 2012 to 2015. She is also a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the University of Florida (UF) Black Alumni Association.
Hinson won HD 21 after the general election was cancelled in 2024. In her prior race, she defeated Republican Hollye Merton by 20 points in 2022.
Before politics, Hinson graduated from UF with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1971. She also received a Master of Arts in Education from the university in 1972.
Hinson endorsed Malik Moore for HD 21 in her outgoing post. Moore graduated from Florida State University and is from the Gainesville area.
"Malik has been preparing for this path for most of his young life," Hinson said of Moore. "At just 17 years old, he joined me on my congressional campaign, traveling across six counties, learning not just the mechanics of politics but the meaning of service."
"After helping us win a Democratic Primary, he excelled at Florida State University, earning his Bachelor's Degree in just two years through a rigorous Dual Enrollment Program and going on to earn a Master's in Applied American Politics and Policy," Hinson continued. "His determination and sense of purpose have always been clear."
Moore is currently a Senior Legislative Aid for Rep. Dianne "Ms Dee" Hart (D-Tampa).
He thanked Hinson for her endorsement, while saluting her service to the community and the state in a recent Facebook post.
"Your years of mentorship have molded me into the person that I am, and I am forever grateful," Moore said. "It is my hope to earn the same level of trust and respect that she has so rightfully earned and deserved from the community we were both blessed to call home."
