Conservative businesswoman Vanessa Oliver runs for State House District 76 to replace Spencer Roach
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – Republican Vanessa Oliver, a conservative businesswoman, announced Friday her candidacy for State House District 76 off the heels of incumbent Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, declining a reelection bid.
“As someone who has spent nearly their entire life growing up in this district, raising a family here, and managing a business, I know how important it is we have leaders who believe in the conservative principles that make Florida the envy of the nation,” Oliver said.
District 76 includes DeSoto County, and parts of Charlotte and Lee County.
Roach announced Friday morning he made his decision to step away with his “integrity intact, [his] conscience clear, and [his] heart full.”
“I’ve never taken for granted the gravity and impact that each vote cast has upon millions of Florida families,” Roach said. “I have given 100% to the job you hired me to do.”
Oliver will be the only Republican filed to run for the office as of April 12, with the Florida Division of Elections reporting that Roach was the only Republican in the field.
“I’m running for the State House because I know we must be vigilant in keeping Florida a beacon of freedom and opportunity for all, while addressing the challenges before us,” Oliver said. “We need courageous, conservative leaders who will stand up for our strong borders, parents rights, and economic opportunity in the face of continued rising inflation, all while investing in our waterways and water quality to keep our environment pristine”
Oliver is the CEO of Ambitrans Ambulance, and she has a husband and three kids.
“As a businesswoman, I know what it takes to address these challenges and I look forward to sharing with all of District 76 my conservative vision for the future of Florida,” she said.
Oliver is a graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and William & Mary.
As of April 12, the only Democrat filed for the seat is James Blue. Blue’s font-page promo on his website features his stark opposition to Florida’s abortion restrictions.
According to campaign finance reports, as of March 31, the Democrat has raised over $18,000 and spent just under $3,000 so far.
In 2022, Roach won his election by default because he was uncontested in Southwest Florida’s District 76, a relatively safe location for Florida Republicans.
In 2020, the seat was represented by Rep. Adam Botana, R-Bonita Springs, which went for the Republican by a margin of 65.5% to 34.5%.
In 2018, the seat went for Republican Ray Rodrigues by a margin of 64.5% to 35.5%.
