Osceola School Board Member Erika Booth announces run for House District 35

ST. CLOUD, Fla. (FLV) – Erika Booth, a local champion for parental rights and current Osceola county School Board member, has announced her candidacy to succeed Rep. Fred Hawkins, R-St. Cloud, in State House District 35.

Booth highlighted her former job as a teacher of 20 years and said the issues facing them “cannot simply be solved locally.”

“I’ve dedicated the last 20 years of my life to educating our children.  Most importantly as a parent and also as a classroom teacher,” Booth said. “As I began my service on the school board, I have realized the issues facing educators, parents and our students cannot simply be solved locally and so, today, I have decided to run for State Representative.”

Additionally, Booth has held the role of project manager for Youth Leadership Osceola and Project OPEN. She has actively participated in various civic organizations such as the Florida Farm Bureau, the Bookmark Buddies Mentor Program, the Silver Spurs Riding Club, and the PEO Philanthropic Organization.

Booth has praised both Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the “strides” they have made in the education field.

“Governor DeSantis and this Legislature have made great strides in protecting students, giving greater control to parents and placing Florida at the forefront of innovation when it comes to classroom education — but the job is far from over,” Booth said.

Booth joins the race as the third Republican contender, following the earlier filings of Demetries Grimes, a former Navy Commander who entered in May, and Scotty Moore, a former congressional candidate who made his announcement just this week.