Former Florida Sen. Democratic Leader Lauren Book emphasized the importance of addressing the rise of antisemitism and other issues in her Senate District 30 campaign during a recent interview.
SD 30 covers southern Palm Beach County and northern Broward County and includes a large Jewish population.
"I think antisemitism is a word that gets thrown around a lot here, but I do think, you know, proverbially, colloquially - I think that this is one of those districts where those are really serious issues," Book said. "And being a more Jewish district is important."
Book, who served as Leader from 2021-2024 and represented the area from 2016 to 2024, also addressed the state's affordability crisis.
"Affordability, it's the same. I think that everybody is dealing with those issues, and I think that those things - they don't have boundary endings," Book added.
Book, who launched her bid in May, is running to replace Sen. Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton).
Polsky has served District 30 since 2024 and represented District 29 from 2020 to 2022. She also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020.
While Sen. Polsky is leaving, she won't be the only change in Tallahassee. Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) was designated last fall as the next Senate president to replace Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) after the November election
The state will also have a new governor with Ron DeSantis term limited. Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL), Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fisback are in the running to replace him.
Book, who's looking to join the new unit, spoke about possibly working with Rep. Donalds in the new Legislature. Notably, Donalds served in the House from 2016 to 2020 while Book was in the Senate before being elected to Congress.
"I got to spend a lot of time with Byron when he was in the House," Book said. "We work[ed] on a lot of human trafficking stuff together. I think he has a deep level of respect for the legislature because he came from there. I think he understands it. I think he appreciates it in a different way than our current governor, and I think that's an important thing."
Book is currently running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hector Rivera and Jerusa Zitta are on the Republican ticket.
The primary is Aug. 18.
