Democrats pick replacement candidate in Florida Senate race. He’s a teacher, too
Local Democrats have nominated activist and public school teacher Anthony Eldon to run against former state Rep. Jim Boyd in November.
Party leadership from Manatee and Hillsborough counties met Friday to interview two finalists to fill a vacancy in the state Senate District 21 race. Amanda Linton, also a public school teacher in Hillsborough, recently announced her plans to relocate due to COVID-19.
Because Linton qualified for the general election, Democrats in the district were able to choose a replacement. Senate District 21 includes all of Manatee and part of Hillsborough counties.
Eldon, 23, is a teacher at Buffalo Creek Middle School. He also runs an Instagram page with 70,000 followers that discusses Black history, politics and news. In an interview with the Bradenton Herald on Friday, he called the open spot a “sign” from God.
“For me, it was more like a sign,” Eldon said, describing the moment Democrats let him know he was a finalist for the position. “Throughout my activism, I wanted to run for office. I’ve seen so many other people running — not just running but getting somewhere, taking their activism from the streets to the office. I wanted to be a part of that so bad.”
Boyd, a Republican from Bradenton, previously served in the Florida state House from 2010 to 2018. He has already raised about $300,000 in his bid for the seat. Boyd, who has won the endorsement of several key Republicans, faces perennial candidate John Houman of Thonotosassa in Tuesday’s GOP primary.
Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, holds the seat now but will be term-limited in November.
Despite Eldon’s age and status as a political newcomer, Manatee Democrats believe District 21 can be flipped blue.
“We believe this seat is winnable,” Tracy Pratt, chairwoman of the Manatee Democratic Party, said in a statement released Monday morning. “People in this district are ready to change the failed policies of current leadership in Tallahassee. We believe Eldon can convey to the voters what is possible when we work together for our communities.”
“I am honored to have the nomination of the Democratic Party and I am ready to make some noise about protecting public education, addressing the COVID-19 crisis and access to healthcare, and policing and criminal justice reform,” Eldon said in a statement.
