A week after Democrat Michelle DeJesus's decision to drop out of the Florida House District 38 race, citing family issues, a new candidate launched his campaign for the Orlando area seat.
Attorney and Central Florida native Nik Dean launched his campaign for the seat Monday, after DeJesus announced her withdrawal from the race.
“Helping people has always been my passion, so when Michelle made the decision to withdraw from the ballot, I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines while people in our community continue to suffer under the state’s affordability crisis,” Dean said in a Florida Democratic Party press release announcing his candidacy. “Despite Floridians working harder than ever, it is becoming more and more difficult to keep up with the rising cost of living. Hard work alone is not enough when costs of everyday items like groceries, gas, housing, healthcare, and insurance continue to outpace the workers in our state’s wages.”
Dean officially qualified for the ballot as the Democratic candidate Wednesday.
“While the last week has been a whirlwind, today the real fight on behalf of working families and seniors in Seminole County officially begins,” Nik Dean said in a Florida Democratic Party press release. “Over the next two months, I’m excited to hit the ground running, meet voters where they are, and hear their concerns about the real issues that are impacting their lives. This campaign won’t be about distractions or attempts to divide people."
He hopes to put politics aside and find practical solutions to lower costs and help Seminole County families, he added.
The Democratic Party officially supported his campaign in an X post Tuesday.
"We're proud to support Nik," the post said. "He knows what working families are up against, he is experiencing it firsthand, and he'll fight like hell to make life more affordable for his community when he's elected in November."
Dean left Central Florida to play football at Tufts University, and then returned to earn a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
DeJesus endorsed Dean's campaign.
“I am so grateful to the incredible supporters who helped to power my campaign, but after having made the difficult decision to withdraw my candidacy, I am incredibly excited that Nik Dean has stepped up to finish the job,” stated Michelle DeJesus in a Florida Democratic Party press release. “Nik has the right priorities and he’ll get the job done for our community which is why I will be helping him to victory in whatever way I can over the rest of his campaign.”
Dean will face off against Republican candidate Emily Duda Buckley. They are facing off to replace term-limited Republican state Representative David Smith.
